Your Stories

• 06/13/12 1967 in the WAY-Outsidelands - posted by W.M. - wmccullar<at>juno.com
• 06/14/12 Re: 1967 in the WAY-Outsidelands - posted by Jim Gallagher
• 06/14/12 Re: 1967 in the WAY-Outsidelands - posted by Lois Denominater
• 06/15/12 Re: 1967 in the WAY-Outsidelands - posted by Patrick
• 06/17/12 Re: 1967 in the WAY-Outsidelands - posted by W.M.

Re: 1967 in the WAY-Outsidelands

There have been some valiant attempts to make this arguably the one of the most difficult swims in the world. Remember no wetsuits just goggles, swim cap and bathing suit. There is also the part of six person relay swims but that is another story. So much of this swim depends on conditions. Tides, wind, turbulent water, water temperature etc. In 1957 ex Lincoln high and a SF State student Myra Thompson, 22yrs. old made it about 2mi. in about 18hrs. just short of Taraval at O.B. Her support boat could see the beach fires. About 18hrs in the water. She later conquered the English Channel in 1959 in 15 1/2 hrs. Not to many years later her leg had to be taken below the knee do to a tumor. Ike Papke also came close but his landing was to be near Stinson Beach in Oct. of 1965. This distance is only about 18 nautical mi. compared to about 26 nautical mi. to SF landfall. Ike was pulled about 2 1/2 mi. From shore. He was in the water over 15hrs. Ike was from Hawaii and attended Kamehameha school but relocated to SF and attended Galileo high. Where he played football and threw the discus. He and his brother were members of the other Club, the Dolphin Club. There were two attempts this year but were aborted because of conditions. The today attempts are not pure in my opinion because they start at the Gate on outgoing ebb tides thus getting a good push for many miles. Just this week a South Rowing Club female member Lisa Seibin swam from Aquatic Park around T.I. and returned in 7hrs. Only one male has accomplished this feat. Of late there have been some monumental distance swims from SERC Swimmers. But the Farralone Islands (the Devils Teeth) remain elusive. The best times for calm seas and warm waters is in the Sept. Oct. window but that is also when the pinnipeds breed which bring the guys in the grey suits. The Great White Sharks.