{"id":91255,"date":"2025-01-28T17:43:24","date_gmt":"2025-01-28T17:43:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=91255"},"modified":"2025-01-28T18:06:15","modified_gmt":"2025-01-28T18:06:15","slug":"doctor-practicing-for-infamous-alcatraz-swim-in-ponty-lido-hoping-sharks-are-actually-just-seals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2025\/01\/28\/doctor-practicing-for-infamous-alcatraz-swim-in-ponty-lido-hoping-sharks-are-actually-just-seals\/","title":{"rendered":"Doctor training for infamous Alcatraz swim in Ponty Lido &#8216;hoping sharks are actually just seals&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The notorious San Francisco swim &#8211; designed to scare prisoners from escaping &#8211; brings rumours of sharks<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A PAIR of friends are ready to brave freezing water, strong currents and local wildlife to raise money for Cardiff\u2019s &#8220;hospital of hope&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr Elise Lang, a GP in north Cardiff, and her friend Laura Crandon are fundraising for Velindre Cancer Centre by taking on a swim from Alcatraz Island to mainland San Francisco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The world-famous challenge is a two-mile swim, the same as 128 lengths of a 25-metre swimming pool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>The prison was notorious for its difficultly to escape. Out of 36 escape attempts, only three inmates are rumoured to have been successful.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/1600px-Alcatraz_Island_as_seen_from_the_East_11zon-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-91335\" style=\"width:510px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/1600px-Alcatraz_Island_as_seen_from_the_East_11zon-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/1600px-Alcatraz_Island_as_seen_from_the_East_11zon-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/1600px-Alcatraz_Island_as_seen_from_the_East_11zon-770x481.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/1600px-Alcatraz_Island_as_seen_from_the_East_11zon-1536x960.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/1600px-Alcatraz_Island_as_seen_from_the_East_11zon-293x183.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/1600px-Alcatraz_Island_as_seen_from_the_East_11zon-1400x875.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/1600px-Alcatraz_Island_as_seen_from_the_East_11zon.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/1600px-Alcatraz_Island_as_seen_from_the_East_11zon-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-91335\" style=\"width:510px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/1600px-Alcatraz_Island_as_seen_from_the_East_11zon-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/1600px-Alcatraz_Island_as_seen_from_the_East_11zon-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/1600px-Alcatraz_Island_as_seen_from_the_East_11zon-770x481.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/1600px-Alcatraz_Island_as_seen_from_the_East_11zon-1536x960.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/1600px-Alcatraz_Island_as_seen_from_the_East_11zon-293x183.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/1600px-Alcatraz_Island_as_seen_from_the_East_11zon-1400x875.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/1600px-Alcatraz_Island_as_seen_from_the_East_11zon.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Alcatraz Island, San Francisco<\/strong> Credit: Frank Schulenburg<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p> \u201cWe\u2019ve always been runners, at first we signed up for half marathons and marathons, then decided to use open-water swimming to almost break up all the running,\u201d said Dr Lang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having since taken part in Ironman competitions, the pair have previously swum similar distances, but the Alcatraz swim brings its own distinct set of obstacles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The temperature of San Francisco Bay will be several degrees colder than UK waters. Coupled with this, the swim differs from most open water swimming events, where participants enter the water from dry land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou don\u2019t actually step onto the island at all, you just start from the boat that takes you out and pulls up alongside the island, so we\u2019ll need to be very careful of cold-water shock when we jump in,\u201d Dr Lang said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFirst of all, we need to be distance ready; we can get our hours in in the pool. Then we\u2019ll be using Ponty Lido and Llanishen Reservoir to get used to the colder temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn terms of wildlife, I\u2019m choosing to ignore it. I\u2019m hoping the spotters will help us out. People talk about sharks, but I think it\u2019s really just seals,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Taking place in May, the event is the first time that a swim containing only charity swimmers is being held from the Island, with Velindre taking a team of 25 swimmers to raise vital funds for the centre.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/PXL_20250114_120143727.PORTRAIT_11zon-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-91299\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/PXL_20250114_120143727.PORTRAIT_11zon-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/PXL_20250114_120143727.PORTRAIT_11zon-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/PXL_20250114_120143727.PORTRAIT_11zon-770x578.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/PXL_20250114_120143727.PORTRAIT_11zon-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/PXL_20250114_120143727.PORTRAIT_11zon-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/PXL_20250114_120143727.PORTRAIT_11zon-293x220.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/PXL_20250114_120143727.PORTRAIT_11zon-1400x1050.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/PXL_20250114_120143727.PORTRAIT_11zon-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-91299\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/PXL_20250114_120143727.PORTRAIT_11zon-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/PXL_20250114_120143727.PORTRAIT_11zon-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/PXL_20250114_120143727.PORTRAIT_11zon-770x578.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/PXL_20250114_120143727.PORTRAIT_11zon-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/PXL_20250114_120143727.PORTRAIT_11zon-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/PXL_20250114_120143727.PORTRAIT_11zon-293x220.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/PXL_20250114_120143727.PORTRAIT_11zon-1400x1050.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Dr Elise Lang and Laura Crandon<\/strong> Credit: Elise Lang<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-28-at-16.35.35_11zon-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-91296\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-28-at-16.35.35_11zon-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-28-at-16.35.35_11zon-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-28-at-16.35.35_11zon-770x578.jpeg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-28-at-16.35.35_11zon-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-28-at-16.35.35_11zon-293x220.jpeg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-28-at-16.35.35_11zon-1400x1050.jpeg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-28-at-16.35.35_11zon.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-28-at-16.35.35_11zon-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-91296\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-28-at-16.35.35_11zon-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-28-at-16.35.35_11zon-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-28-at-16.35.35_11zon-770x578.jpeg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-28-at-16.35.35_11zon-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-28-at-16.35.35_11zon-293x220.jpeg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-28-at-16.35.35_11zon-1400x1050.jpeg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/01\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-01-28-at-16.35.35_11zon.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Velindre Cancer Centre <\/strong>Credit: The Cardiffian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Velindre is the leading provider of radiotherapy and other specialised anti-cancer treatments in Wales, and the money raised will help fund improvements to the experience and outcomes of patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The centre currently provides services to 1.5 million people across South Wales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr Lang works in Velindre one day a week. She said: \u201cLiving in South Wales, it&#8217;s somewhere we\u2019re unfortunately all likely to visit at some point, the money we\u2019re raising will help to deliver optimum care.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you would like to donate or find out more about Dr Lang and Ms Crandon\u2019s fundraising, please find their page <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justgiving.com\/page\/elise-laura-alcatraz\">here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Even for those used to extreme feats, the San Francisco swim presents a set of unique challenges<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1220,"featured_media":91293,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[1291,10,74,240],"coauthors":[8790],"class_list":["post-91255","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-cardiff-2","tag-charity","tag-sport-2","tag-whitchurch"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Doctor training for infamous Alcatraz swim in Ponty Lido &#039;hoping sharks are actually just seals&#039; 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