Connect all the bridges
of the San Francisco Bay
in a single 62-mile run
Sean Morley’s 7-bridge Challenge
Sponsored by OnTheWater360 and Travelmap
Date: Thursday, June 25th / Mileage: 62 miles / Mode: Solo and unsupported / Starting time: 6 am Pacific time / Sea Kayak: Tiderace 17 Tour / Time completed: 10 h 15 minutes / Nutrition: Sandwiches and bars / Hydration: 3 liters + electrolytes / Sleeping: hopefully not ;)
“The entire flow of current in the San Francisco Bay is controlled by the Golden Gate. At ebb tide, the water rushes out of the Gate, and at flood it rushes into the Gate. Breathing like that twice a day, every day. The crux of the 7 Bridge Challenge is to start in the North Bay at the Benicia Bridge at slack-to-ebb, follow the current as it’s sucked to its source at the Golden Gate Bridge, turn tail at the Golden Gate Bridge as the tide changes, and ride the flood to the South Bay.”- Paddlerizine.com
Here is an article on Paddlerezine.com with Priscilla’s count on her 10h40 record.
Amazing paddling adventure and a new course record: 62 miles in 10 hours 15 minutes from Benicia Bridge to Dumbarton Bridge.
Sean Morley's 7 Bridge Challenge was a tough one: Head winds from Benicia Bridge till the Golden Gate Bridge. In Raccoon Straight (between Angel Island and Tiburon) I was sooooo slow, around 2.5 to 3 mph. Almost decided to quit at the Golden Gate Bridge as my hands were hurting and forearms were cramping. Changed my paddle for a smaller one, took 5 minutes to eat, drink and rest. Then I figured.... "let see how far I can go". Amazing downwind to the Bay Bridge, then it was a side wind, 3/4 back wind all the way to the end. That San Mateo bridge never seemed to arrive!!!! Medium size waves that I could surf so did good time.
Benicia -> Carquinez -> Richmond -> Golden Gate -> Bay Bridge -> SanMateo -> Dumbarton
ROUTE:
Launch: Benicia-Martinez Bridge
to Carquinez Bridge -> 6 miles
to Richmond Bridge -> 16.4 miles
to Golden Gate Bridge -> 7.9 miles
to Bay Bridge -> 6.1 miles
to San Mateo Bridge -> 16.2 miles
to Dumbarton Bridge -> 8.9 miles
=> Total: 61.5 miles
