Subject: GGRT

Subject: GGRT

A few weeks ago, I received an email with GGRT in the subject line. Slightly perplexed, I wondered what it could possibly mean? My first guess was an abbreviation for great with an extra “g.” My next thought was “grilled cheese right now.” In retrospect, the abbreviation for “grilled cheese right now” would be GCRN. Clearly, my confusion stemmed from my insatiable channel-swimmer appetite. Still wondering, I started flipping through my mental list of obscure-Washington acronyms (ex. PARTO, TOPAR, or ALCON), none of which rang any bells. Finally, I deciphered the message:

GGRT = Golden Gate Round Trip

The roundtrip swim stretches approximately 8-miles from San Francisco’s Aquatic Park to the Golden Gate and back. I now have three GGRTs under my belt.

The first was unplanned, a swim west where our group kept adding 1/2 mile after 1/2 mile until we found ourselves near the gate. The second trip, I was accompanied by another swimmer preparing to cross the North Channel (which stretches about 21-miles from Northern Ireland to Scotland). The third swim served as my final four hour swim leading up to my taper.

To swim the GGRT, we took off from Aquatic Park and passed what became familiar landmarks during my time swimming with the South End Rowing Club: Fort Mason, Gas House, the yellow buoy, St. Francis Yacht Club, the big tree down the beach (that came to signify a several degree drop in the water temperature), a couple of piers, and finally Fort Point would come into view—just below the bridge.

Two of the three times, we arrived at the Golden Gate on tides that allowed us to swim under the bridge itself. Gazing through my foggy goggles, I had a rare chance to look up at one of San Francisco’s most iconic landmarks. Watching the water flow under the bridge, trying to wave at the seemingly-small people walking along it, and taking in the expansive view of the Bay was one of the highlights of my summer!