23/08/2026
Race Report: Sharkfest Alcatraz to the Bay 2026
Mark Twain said the "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco" True to that quote, Saturday 8 August started off cold and bleak albeit a relatively still San Francisco morning.
10 swimmers from Team NZBLUE made their way to the start line in San Francisco Bay joining over 450 other swimmers from mainly the US and a few from the UK and two from Australia who will remain nameless.
Amongst the Team were some experienced campaigners with some having swum Gibraltar Strait with the club in 2024 and others with Triathlon, Swim and Surf Titles. In addition, some were taking on a sea swim for the first time in a long time specifically Mark Davis and Kathy Blake.
Wetsuits were donned and swim caps put on prior to the long walk to the two ferries waiting to drop everyone next to Alcatraz Island. The walk helped clear a few nerves and was not unlike the march of the Emperor Penguins across the Ice.
All athletes climbed aboard 2 ferries and then sailed on over about 100 metres from Alcatraz Island. Jumping off the Alcatraz cliffs is best left to a bygone era. Nowadays that's frowned upon by the Health and Safety Police instead of the penitentiary guards of the time. By the time we got out, the wind was up, along with a tidal change and the water was a lot choppier that from the mainland.
Much like the same Penguins taking the leap off the ice shelf for their first swim, everyone jumped off the ferry one by one until all 450 plus athletes were wallowing around in the water.
You can imagine the shark's view from below with 900 legs treading water - it was a breakfast smorgasbord to rival the biggest buffets in Vegas.
The imaginary start line was formed between kayaks with a lead boat ahead and thankfully all limbs and bodies remained intact at the sound of the ho**er. Swimmers fought the tides, the swell, each other and their own inner thoughts and began the hustle and bustle Swim back towards San Francisco City
Exiting the water in the 6th place overall and 2nd in age group was the young seal pup of the group - Nick Bone.
Proving age is no barrier next up from Team NZBLUE was Mark Blake Finishing 18th overall and 1st in his age group.
Close on his heels was Steve Dempsey 26th overall and 1st in his age group as well. At this juncture Mark Blake would like to point out that he was first also in Steve Dempsey's age group but that is a matter for the statisticians.
Bill Blackmore sprang up the beach soon after in 3rd place in his and Marks Age group, giving New Zealand dominance on the dais in the older they get the better they were category.
Richard Wilkinson was next in also with a credible 3rd in his age group
Yas Kessiner cruised in just over the 50 min mark followed by Ben Davies a minute behind
Kathy Blake rounded off the podium finishes with a 3rd in her age group just 45 seconds from the silver medal. Credit here in swimming with a Go Pro and capturing the magic of the day and breaking 60 minutes.
At just over the 1 hour mark brothers Mark and Aaron Davis rolled in like a couple of seasoned bull seals from nearby Pier 39, still in the top half of their age group. A first up swim for Mark was a huge challenge only surpassed by the $22,000 he raised for the Inspire Foundation of Marlborough. In what is no surprise and fast becoming folklore Aaron took one for the team, giving up a certain podium spot to be the ultimate wingman for Mark.
All up 5 podium spots out of 10 swimmers, most easily the most from any club and whist an amazing effort to add to prior podium finishes in Race Across America, and the toughest 48 hours in sport - The 508. That said it is not the key driver for the club.
Each year NZBLUE creates one or more challenges for its members to be fit and healthy, to inspire others, and more importantly create interest around an event to raise money for child and youth charities in New Zealand. This year we raised all up just over $60,000 with well over $100K now raised to date.
Congratulations to Yas, Nick, Steve, Richard, Bill and Mark and Kathy earning their FTA (Finely Tuned Athlete) pins. And special mention to Megan Dispensary Dempsey for looking after the team.
Momentum is building and events for 2027 will be announced soon😊
https://youtu.be/-UVF6CbZCZA
