Brad Snyder Completes Swim From Alcatraz to San Francisco

Photo Courtesy: Andrew Fielding/USA Today Sports

Five-time Paralympic gold medalist Brad Snyder completed the 2.1-mile swim from Alcatraz Island to San Francisco Bay Sunday. Snyder, who lost his eyesight in an explosion while serving in Afghanistan, completed the crossing from the federal prison-turned-tourist attraction to the city in just under an hour.

The San Francisco Bay was unseasonably warm (about 60 degrees Fahrenheit), and conditions were mostly calm. Snyder swam with guide Jill Dahle, to whom he was attached by a three-foot bungie cord, and lead swimmer Bryn Lewis.

The 2.1-mile open water swim compliments a successful 2016 for Snyder, one which saw him down a 30-year-old in the S11 100 freestyle while swimming at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. Snyder won an additional two gold medals at the Paralympic Games while defending his title in the 50 and 400 freestyles.

Snyder swam as part of the annual Alcatraz Swim for Sight event that benefits the organization “That Man May See,” a part of the University of California-San Francisco Dept. of Ophthalmology.

Now in its fifth year, Alcatraz Swim for Sight has raised more than $350,000 with the entire proceeds going directly to research for a cure for blindness. To date, a total of seven projects have been funded due to the growing success of the event.

Read more about Snyder’s swim in an ESPN feature, and be sure to check out the November issue of Swimming World Magazine to learn more about Snyder.

Not a subscriber? Swimming World Magazine gives you unlimited access to all online content on SwimmingWorldMagazine.com and access to all of the back issues of Swimming World Magazine dating back to 1960! To Access everything in the Swimming World Magazine Vault, Subscribe With This Special 3-Year Offer!

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use