Paddle with Odyssey: Odyssey Open Water Swimming Support Paddlers
Odyssey Open Water Swimming is the Bay Area’s guide to adventure in the San Francisco Bay. As the guide for open water swimmers, we offer fun, expertise, and safety.
Our motto as paddlers is “Don’t become a rescue,” which means as an Odyssey paddler, your aim would be to learn to self-rescue. For sit on top kayaks, that means “climb back on,” and for those paddling inside kayaks, that means doing your “roll.”
During each Odyssey swim, from a Sunday morning Berkeley swim in the East Bay to our world-famous Odyssey Alcatraz swim off of Alcatraz Island, a team of paddlers and coaches escort swimmers safely to shore. Our safety support team is an essential part of our community, and we are always searching for additional assistance.
We have an ongoing need for regular swim support paddlers for weekly Berkeley swims, and frequently need paddlers for larger events during the summer and fall, including the Odyssey Alcatraz swim. We seek kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders. View the 2022 Odyssey Open Water Swimming schedule here.
Paddlers are needed for Odyssey Berkeley swims from 9-11:30am on Sundays. During the spring and summer, we also host a Tuesday evening swim.
Berkeley Swims
We use the Berkeley Marina's South Sailing Basin for our swim Berkeley swim course. We access this area from either the public dock beside Cal Sailing, when the tides are above 2' (this for the sake of our boat motor), and we move to the site of the old restaurant, HS Lordship's, for low tide times.
During regular Berkeley swims, we have 3-4 kayakers on the water and Captain Taylor on Penelope (safety boat). All members of our support team have marine radios and keep in contact. If joining us, you will be loaned a radio for the clinic.
Apply to join our Swim Support Team here!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have paddling experience?
Yes. Odyssey paddlers are experienced kayakers and paddle boarders who are familiar with paddling in the San Francisco Bay (East Bay) and are able to assist with escorting swimmers in open water. Paddlers not yet ready for are encouraged to learn and practice at the Berkeley Marina at one of our clinics. The South Sailing Basin provides some shelter from wind from certain directions.
Are waves common in the East Bay?
The East Bay can present difficult conditions for swimming and paddling. Waves are less common in the East Bay and more common near Alcatraz Island. Having experience in rough water is required for Odyssey paddlers joining our support team for an Alcatraz event. While many Berkeley swims are calm and smooth, evening clinics may be rough. Alcatraz has no protection from waves, although Berkeley does.
Do I need to have my own kayak?
Having your own kayak or paddleboard is preferred. However, we can occasionally loan kayaks to eager paddlers.
How much are paddlers paid for helping with swims?
Rates for paddlers differ depending on the event. Pay is higher for special events, including the Odyssey Alcatraz swim and Bridge to Bridge swim. Contact us for rates.
How often should Odyssey paddlers participate in swims?
As an Odyssey paddler, you can choose how often you paddle with Odyssey. Some assist with almost every swim, and others only come a couple times a year. If a schedule conflict arises, simply let us know and we will try to replace you in the lineup.
Do you have to be an open water swimmer to be an Odyssey paddler?
Odyssey paddlers do not have to be open water swimmers to escort swimmers. However, understanding open water swimming will help you assist swimmers in need and proactively help swimmers avoid potentially dangerous situations.