Odyssey Swims & Coast Guard Approval

Odyssey Open Water Swimming hosts a variety of swims each year for a total of around 100 events. Under normal conditions, several of these events, including Sunday Berkeley swims in the summer and Alcatraz swims, can attract 70-150 swimmers from around the world.

To protect swimmers, the local community, and to follow all local guidelines, Odyssey has implemented social distancing guidelines and has made many changes to our processes, briefings, and more. Learn more about those changes and our new guidelines here.

Although we have received approval to continue our regular swims, some events, including our two remaining Alcatraz swims, the Bay Bridge swim, and the Bridge to Bridge swim, require US Coast Guard approval. Approval is based on local health guidelines and conditions at the time of the swim. Although we have no control over whether a swim receives approval, if any event is canceled or postponed due to not getting approval from the Coast Guard, participants will be refunded in credit that can be applied to a future swim.