Alcatraz Mission 2

Alcatraz Mission 2 was undertaken by James Taylor and Bart Willems after Alcatraz Mission 1 failed because of extreme currents in the San Francisco Bay. The plan was to paddle on surfboards from San Francisco to Alcatraz and swim back. Was Alcatraz Mission 2 successful? Did they make it across the shipping lane before dark? Were they picked up by the US Coast Guard? Watch to find out...
See Alcatraz Mission 1 here: • Alcatraz Mission
by Bart Willems and James Taylor
Recorded on GO PGo HD cameras
Kept warm by Reef Wetsuits and Excel Wetsuits
Thanks to Dave van Ginkel (DVG Shapes) and Ray Long (Long Ocean) for the beautiful surfboards.
A Garmin GPS helped us locate our position.

[@EricPease]

wow, paddle out and swim back? that's hardcore. congrats.
my personal pref on timing the swim is starting when the tide is almost done coming in, then it goes slack and you finish as the tide starts to go out. Then all you have to do is aim for the Pyramid and you'll end up in Aquatic Park. Piece of cake :-)

[@jimbojims]

you two oaks sound south african hey?
u living in the US or just travelling around doing fun stuff like this?
nicely done my friends

[@bartwillemsza]

Yes, the GoPro was perfect! Thanks for the positive vibes

[@bartwillemsza]

Thanks Eric. Wish we had your advice when we tried the first time! If I'm ever back there I'll keep your sound advice in mind...

[@donniecr]

Holy crap. I would be worried about sharks in that bay

[@bartwillemsza]

South Africans, yes... Went to SF to surf so decided to get up to some other ocean stuff while it was flat. Wouldn't mind traveling the world and doing 'fun stuff' like this!

[@Ericxnugz]

@donniecr don't be a baby about sharks its really rare to get attacked by one and surfers don't really worry about sharks :)

[@bartwillemsza]

A bigger problem is the huge ships that have to stay in the shipping lanes and won't even feel running over to dudes paddling 10'2 surfboards...

[@bartwillemsza]

Thanks

[@TheHarloo]

Did you miss the part where they were swimming at night in the middle of the bay?

[@bartwillemsza]

Hey, you have to weigh up the risk and reward... We decided to give it a go and made it back with all our limbs...

[@Ericxnugz]

i spearfish at night and idgaf