Bob Roper Photo by Allen Luong 2009

The South End Rowing Club is any open water swimmers training mecca. It not only has the perfect location perched on the edge of aquatic park but it is about the people you meet while at the club. During my last visit I was able to spend a little bit of time with open water swimming pioneer and patron saint of the South End Rowing Club, Bob Roper. In 1969 Bob crossed the Golden Gate in 21 minutes 17 seconds, a record that still stands today. He is not only a great swimmer but he is one of the best pilots.

I had read many accounts and heard stories about what is known as the dreaded 9th of February swim. Symbolically (not really statistically) it is the day that the water temperature is at its coldest. Dreaded because one year the weather was terrible and everything went wrong and from then on it was known as the dreaded 9th of February.
Bob usually organizes a longer swim for this dreaded date and a select few are able to join in. After a little bribing, much flirting and some coercing, I am blessed to be one of the few.
The plan is to swim from Point Bonita to SERC. That is approximately a 7 mile swim and the water temperature will be 49 degrees. I am not sure how long this swim will take me because there are so many variables. With the 4.4 knot flood and good piloting I am planning on 2 to 2 1/2 hours. I have been waking nightly finding myself kicking my feet dreaming of this swim. Yeah Baby, Yeah I can’t wait!!