“The kayakers told us when we started to drift off course,” said Nina Mullin of Moss Beach. “They wanted to make sure we were headed in the right direction.”
The kayakers didn’t have much to say to either Mullin or Brian Gerrity, also a Coastside resident.
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Gerrity was the first boy to finish in the non-wetsuit division, sixth overall, in 1:38:42.
Having the kayakers help direct the swimmers was just part of the good tidings of the day. There were no large ships coming or going.
“Those ships can give off some powerful waves,” Mullin said. “You can feel the waves even if you are not close to the boat.”
The water was calm for the most part.
“It was a little bit choppy under the Golden Gate Bridge,” Gerrity said. “I expected that to happen.”
After jumping into the water from the base of the Golden Gate Bridge, the 26 swimmers headed toward the Bay Bridge, passing Alcatraz Island. Gerrity got some advice on what to do once he got by the historical landmark.
“I was told to aim for Treasure Island,” Gerrity said
An experienced open-water swimmer, Mullin expected the water to be somewhat cool. But the temperature was 61, perfect this time of year. Mullin says the water was the warmest it has been for some time.
“I felt pretty good after the swim,” Mullin sad. “I never got cold and the water was not choppy. It was a smooth swim.”
The next event is the Swim Around the Rock, scheduled for July 18. The race starts and finishes at Aquatic Park, taking racers around Alacatraz.
Gerrity said he’s pretty sure he will do that race. Mullin is not so sure.
“I’m going to the Junior Olympics swim meet,” Mullin said. “I’ll see how I feel after that.”
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