On August 14 athletes from the elite open water swim group Night Train Swimmers engaged in a novel athletic challenge crossing the San Francisco Bay in a six mile swim from Tiburon to San Francisco. The event also included 4 runners departing Tiburon making a 15 mile trek through 6 cities and crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. Both converged at the Sports Basement,Crissy Field in the Presidio. The event is a benefit for the San Francisco non-profit Shark Stewards.
“This year, our 5th annual swim for sharks was a rest success. It ws a tough swim and I am excited to swim with and be supported by the elite athletes of Night Train Swimmers.” Said David McGuire, Director of the ocean conservation group Shark Stewards. The swimmers transited the bay in a tide against the wind, crossing shipping, traffic and a steep chop. The start is timed so the swimmers and the runners arrive at the finish at approximately the same time around 12:00PM Sunday. An after-event hosted at the Sports Basement Presidio location and sponsored by Headlands Brewery was attended by over 100 public and supporters.
“The Trans Bay Invitational is another great Night Train athletic challenge,” said Night Train Founder and President Vito Bialla. “Night Train swimmers are some of the most elite marathon swimmers on the planet and we love unique challenges, but we also give back to disadvantaged youth, our veterans and Bay health, including the sharks.
Last summer Night Train Swimmers raised funds so disabled athlete Arthur Renowitzky could walk again, by swimming a 300 mile relay back and forth across the San Francisco Bay. Swimmers include Joseph Locke, record holder for the Farallon Islands to the Golden Gate swim and Kim Chambers who is one of six swimmer who have successfully completed the Oceans 7 challenge.“Im thrilled to join Night Train supporting Shark Stewards work for a healthy ocean and Bay that includes sharks,” said Chambers. “This is a small tune up for my September Swim.” Chambers is also the first woman to swim from the Farallon Islands to the Golden Gate Bridge, and is planning a non-stop solo swim from Sacramento to San Francisco in September.
“This is an incredible challenge and opportunity supporting international protection for sharks and creating increased protection of ocean habitat,” adds McGuire. “Im looking forward to swimming for sharks again, and keep working to protect threatened sharks globally.”
This year’s event is in honor of Night Train Swimmer and founding member, John Matthews of Tiburon who recently passed away.
More information can be found at SharkStewards.org