10 most fun open water swims, The

Swimming World and Junior Swimmer, Aug 1999 by Bliss, Jeff

San Francisco, California

Nothing stirs the soul of an open water swimmer quite like a point-to-point challenge. What could be better than "escaping" from America's most notorious penitentiary? This is the swim the Anglin Brothers and Frank Lee Morris attempted in their successful(?) escape made famous by Clint Eastwood's film, "Escape From Alcatraz." Wetsuits are recommended, as the water is usually in the 5i to 65degree range. A ferry drops you on the island; it's your job to swim back. For more information: Envirosports at Box 1040, Stinson Beach, CA 94970; phone 415-868-1829; fax 415-8682611; e-mail envirosp@well.com.

Bondi Cole Classic Rough Water Swim

Sydney, Australia

Bondi Beach is about a 15-minute drive from downtown Sydney and is one of Australia's oldest and most famous beaches. This year, more than 2,000 people completed the 2 km. ( 1.25-mile) swim, which was held on the first Sunday in February, as it has been the last 16 years. Though the race usually attracts a significant elite field, participants ranged in age from 13 to 73, and in ability from novice to world-class. Pool legends such as Jon Konrads and Murray Rose often compete in this event. Prize for the first male and female is round-trip airfare and accommodations in Honolulu to swim in the Waikiki Rough Water race in September. For more information, contact Walter Cole: phone 011-61-2-9310-1090; fax 011-61-2-9310-1121.

Cayman Islands One-Mile Swim

George Town, Grand Cayman

Next year, the one-mile swi Cayman's beautiful Seven-Mile Beach may well become the world's most lucrative open water swim, with race organizer's planning on offering cars to the men's and women's winners along with hundreds of other prizes. More than 500 swimmers of all ages are expected to compete in the comfortable, 80-degree water next June, along with colorful tropical fish, a sea turtle or two and the odd sting ray. If you want more information, please e-mail caymanswim@aol.com.

International Crossing Batalla de Carabobo "Maltin Polar" Coup, Puerto Cabello, Venezuela

Held in July, this annual 5K swim goes from Playa Huaquito in Puerto Cabello and finishes on Isla Larga. As for the water temperature, trust us, no wetsuit needed. For more information: Av. Bolivar Norte, Polideportivo, "Misael Delgado," Oflc Club Deporte y Salud, Valencia, Estado Carabobo, Venezuela; phone 041-584708 (Spanish) or 041-428563 (English); e mail cureka@eldish.net.

La Jolla Rough Water Swim

LA Jolla, California More than 60 years after it began, the LJRWS is considered by many to be open water swimming's Boston Marathon; the "Granddaddy of Open Water Swims." Everyone from the greats to the "leasts" should try to make the pilgrimage to the open water mecca once in their open/rough water career. While the race begins in the relative shelter of La Jolla Cove, the course can take participants through a variety of water conditions. The event features separate races for men and women at one- and three-mile distances. Water temperatures are usually in the low 70s. For more information: LJRWS, P.O. Box 2127, La Jolla, CA 92038; phone 619-2100.

The Maui Channel Relay Maui, Hawaii

This 10-mile race from Lanai to Maui is popular for many reasons. Six-person teams, accompanied by escort hosts, make the mad dash across the channel. While the warm weather, cool tradewinds and prospects of a wild luau at the finish are major draws, the channel can be, to say the least, difficult. For more information: Maui Channel Swim, P.O. Box 2571, Makwedi, Kauai, HI 96769.

The Midmar Mile

Kwa-Zulu Nata, South Africa The 12,000 people who "Swam the Dam" this year can't all be wrong. The annual Midmar Mile is held at a reservoir in the rolling hills 15 miles north of Pietermaritzburg in South Africa. Event organizers claim the swim is the most popular inland swim in the world, though the Sea of Galilee in Israel is also a contender for that title. The first Midmar Mile took place in 1974 with just 150 swimmers Students, families and corporate teams form a large part of the Midmar Mile event. There are no restrictions as to who may enter; from top swimmers to the physically disabled. The race is held in February. For more info: P.O. Box 101005, Scottsville, South Africa 3209; phone 011-331-6-7830; fax 011-331-6-5940.

The Pier-to-Pub Swim Portsea, Victoria, Australia

About 10-12,000 people compete in this anual 1.2 km. (3/4 mile) swim celebration each February. Located in Portsea, about a twohour drive south of Melbourne and just before the famous Twelve Apostles landmark, the race attracts men and women ef all ages-from eager youngsters of six or seven to stalwart octogenarians--despite the rather cold water (low 60s). Swimmers start at the end of the pier,, then race to shore. Prize money in 1999 totaled over AUS $10,000 (U.S. U.S.$6,700).

Tiberias, Israel

The annual "fun swim" in Israel's beautiful, historic Sea of Galilee (also known as Lake Kinneret) takes place during the month of October In years past, the swim attracted upwards of 15,000 participants, making it the world's biggest open water swim. (An equivalent number of participants for the U.S. would be over 675,000) But following a drought several years ago, the number has dwindled to "only" about 8,500. There are two non-competitive events: a 4K and a 2K swim Most swimmers do the longer swim. No prizes of any kind are awarded. In the past, there was a lOK competitive race, but it has been nixed due to budget cuts. For the past 10 years, the swim has been sponsored by Yediot Acharonot, Israel's largest newspaper. For more information: phone 011-972-6-675-7630/31 or 32.