Scheduled Swims

The Dolphin Club organizes over 25 club swims and two triathlons each year. Scheduled swims occur both in- and out-of-cove. As you swim, you will be accompanied by Dolphin pilots in rowboats, stand up paddle board, kayaks, and motorized water craft. Pilots are there to help keep you safe from other boaters and to assist you if you need support. Our swims have a 3:1 swimmer-to-pilot ratio. There are four ways for new members to become eligible to participate in scheduled out-of-cove club swims:

Be a member in good standing for at least six months
OR complete the 100-mile swim within your first six months of membership
OR complete the 40-mile Polar Bear swim within your first six months of membership
OR complete the “Accelerated Out-of-Cove Process”; contact the swim commissioners for information and the form

Ready for your first swim? Wonderful! We are thrilled you will be joining us. Here are some things you need to know.

Swim Results

2020 -2021 Polar Bear Challenge

December 21, 2020 through March 21, 2021 This year’s Polar Bear Challenge was more challenging than usual: DC only partially open – all indoors facilities

March 31, 2021 No Comments

2020-2021 Penguin Challenge

As a club, we have been presented with many challenges this year and have adapted. Given the additional challenge of swimming through the winter with

March 30, 2021 No Comments

2020 Walt Schneebeli Over 60 Cove results

August 15, 2020 Due to conditions beyond anyone’s control, Dolphin Club group swims have not been swum this year. However, some members wanted to commemorate

August 27, 2020 No Comments

2020 Pier 39 Swim Results

March 1, 2020 Despite wind warnings, both the swim itself and the test swim were performed with little difficulty, since the wind did not pick

March 4, 2020 No Comments

Gashouse Cove Swim canceled

February 8, 2020 This year’s Gashouse Cove swim was canceled due to high winds and choppy water. The swim was canceled only after 15 swimmers

February 22, 2020 No Comments

2020 Pier 41 results

January 18, 2020 The first Dolphin Club swim of the year: a chilly but fun and easy one mile swim (4 squares). No peculiar weather

January 20, 2020 No Comments

Triathlons

Escape from Alcatraz (EFAT)

We have sponsored the original Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon (EFAT) for over 40 years. Open only to members of the Dolphin and South End clubs, the race comprises an Alcatraz-to-Aquatic Park swim (1.5 miles), a bicycle leg that crosses the Golden Gate Bridge and ends in Old Mill Park (12 miles), and the notorious Double Dipsea run (14 miles, 1,360 feet of elevation gain). Individuals and relay teams may compete. In the evening, there is a celebratory dinner at the Dolphin Club where you may claim your official Escape from Alcatraz belt buckle.

DC/SERC Triathlon

The DC/SERC Triathlon has been a tradition for over over 40 years. This epic battle between members of the Dolphin and South End clubs, comprises boat races around Alcatraz, a swim leg leg from Yacht Harbor stairs to the SE/DC beach, and a seven mile run to Fort Point and Back. Participation equals points.