Danville Water Polo Team To Swim From Alcatraz To San Francisco

DANVILLE, CA — Alcatraz was once placed in the middle of San Francisco Bay in the hopes that no one would attempt to swim back to shore.

But the San Ramon Valley High School Boys Water Polo team is undeterred. On Aug. 13, the team will join dozens of other polar bears who will endure two miles of 55-degree water from Alcatraz to San Francisco’s Aquatic Park.

The Alcatraz Swim for Hydrocephalus Research, now in its 18th year, was founded by SRV alumni and former water polo players Peter and Samuel Finlayson. After their sister Kate died of hydrocephalus, a rare neurological condition, the brothers founded the nonprofit Team Hydro to help research a cure. The organization has funded a dozen research projects on three continents, which have already identified several new potential therapies. All funds raised from the swim will go toward funding hydrocephalus research grants.

“My brother and I both played water polo at San Ramon in the 90s and early 00’s, so to see the team rally around the cause like this really means a lot,” Peter Finlayson said in a statement. “Our sister Kate loved swimming, but unfortunately her life was cut short by hydrocephalus. To see these young men willing to look beyond themselves and support the cause like this is inspiring!”

Over the years, Peter, Samuel, and their mother - all SRV alums - have competed in the swim.

The swim will be the team’s opening event for the upcoming year, and Coach Jeff Mayers said the team hopes to raise $7,500 towards the project’s ultimate goal of $75,000.

“As soon as I heard about Team Hydro and the amazing research they are funding, I knew that it was something we’d love to be a part of,” Mayers said. “Our team is hoping to be able to raise at least $7,500 towards the overall event goal of $75,000. We have over a dozen Wolves signed-up so far, and I’ve decided to take the plunge myself as well!”

“Taking the plunge” means putting on a wetsuit and plunging into the chilly waters. A ferry will bring swimmers from Aquatic Park to Alcatraz. The Coast Guard closes the lane, and a team of kayakers and watch boats supervise. While most swimmers finish in about an hour and fifteen minutes, Finlayson said that some swimmers finish in as quickly as 25 minutes.

Spend any more than an hour fifteen in the water and you’re likely to end up with hypothermia, Finlayson warned.

“In order to qualify, you must be crazy/brave enough to jump into the shark-infested, icy-cold currents off Alcatraz Island AND have a big enough heart to want to raise funds and awareness for hydrocephalus research!” he told Patch. “We are a rare breed of swimmer -- but thinking of the million Americans afflicted with this incurable condition really keeps us motivated! We have sold out every year -- but have a small number of spots available due to recent cancellations if anyone cares to join us this year! The rule of thumb we give folks is that they should be able to comfortably swim a mile in a pool in around 40min.”

If you’re feeling especially crazy/brave, register here. If you’re not up for an icy prison break, you can still donate. As of Monday, Team Hydro has already raised $30,600 out of $75,000.