The Five Coves of Death / Cinco de Mayo Swim

On May 5th 2010 at 5PM The South End Rowing Clubs held its annual Cinco de Mayo Swim aka The Five Coves of Death. In this event swimmers attempt to swim 5 coves; about 1 mile each cove, with water temperatures ranging from 54-56F. This event was created years ago by Bill Horgos, a South End Legend, and it is a qualifier for the famous Bay to Brakers Swim; a 10mile swim from the Bay Bridge to Ocean beach, event to happen at the end of May. Tequila shots are optional after every cove.

I started the swim by myself at 2:30PM and at 5PM 40 swimmers joined me for their five coves attempt. It felt great having company around me every cove I swam.


As part of my training schedule I used this event to attempt a 6 hour swim. The Channel Swimming Association requires at least one 6 hour swim in water temperature below 60F, one swim cap and one swim suit, in order for a swimmer to qualify for a solo crossing attempt at the English Channel.

Kim Howard, Captain of The Penaat, piloting the swim.


The South End dock became one big feeding station for the swimmers.

By 7:30PM most of the swimmers had completed their many coves and I was still soldiering on, committed to my 6 hour attempt.


My wife Kim Howard had been rowing/piloting the event since 5PM and after 7:30PM she became my personal pilot, making sure I was doing alright and committed to the 6 hour challenge.

In this picture I am on my last hour, doing laps to and from the Flag. Every round trip I did would "buy" me 15 minutes in the water.

After 6:05 minutes in the water and without daylight, it was time to finish the swim. As I approached the South End and the Dolphin dock to swim my last yards I looked up at the South End dock and saw all my beloved friends screaming and cheering me, it brought tears to my eyes!



Even tough I had already qualified for the Channel on September of 2009, this 6 hour swim was key to my training schedule since I was able to stay in the water for 6:05 hours in temperatures below 55F, boosting my confidence towards my solo crossing.

Celebrating the qualify with Kim and looking for a pen to get that "piece of paper"(6 hour certificate) signed!