October 24th — Aquatic Park Cove, SF

50th bay games TRI

Four disciplines across the storied waters and shores of San Francisco: rowing out to Alcatraz and back, swimming around Aquatic Park Cove, running the waterfront to Fort Point, and handball.

Register for the Event → View Race Schedule

Race Day Schedule

The official timetable for race day, from dawn coastal rowing out past Alcatraz to the afternoon finals.

Rowing

Course: Out to Alcatraz Island and back
  • 6:00 AM
    Safety Briefing & Launch Boats
    Pre-race safety briefing and boat launch preparations at the boathouse.
  • 6:35 AM
    Nautical Twilight
    Crews assemble on the water as the bay awakens.
  • 6:45 AM
    Barges and Coastal Quads Start
    Rowing shells navigate the bay channel on the Alcatraz loop.
  • 7:27 AM
    Civil Sunrise
    Sun rising over the East Bay hills and Alcatraz.
  • 8:00 AM
    Last Boats In
    All shells docked and ramps cleared.

Swimming

Course: Around Aquatic Park Cove (Single Cove)
  • 8:15 AM
    Swimmer Briefing & Congregation
    Congregate in the South End kitchen. Go through the side doors to the beach so we don't compete for space with incoming boats on the main docks.
  • 8:30 AM
    Swim Start — Single Cove
    Equipped with a timing mat and individual chips — participants should be leisurely and roughly sort themselves in.
  • 9:30 – 10:00 AM
    Swim Conclusion
    Anticipate most folks finished with the swim and warming up.
Transition Note: Please use the South End side doors when walking down to the beach to keep the docks clear for docking rowing shells.

Run

Course: Waterfront to Fort Point and back
  • 10:30 AM
    Run Briefing
    Course check and safety instructions on the promenade.
  • 10:45 AM
    Run Start
    Out along the bayfront to historic Fort Point beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, and back to Aquatic Park.
Social

Catered Lunch

Community Meal & Recovery
  • 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
    Catered Lunch Served
    Warm up, refuel, and connect with fellow competitors, spectators, and club members before the afternoon matches.

Handball

Handball tournament
  • 1:00 PM
    Handball Semi-Finals & Finals
    Handball tournament play to decide the 50th annual champion.

Registration

Sign up →

Questions about registration?

Frequently Asked Questions

"Because it's always been the tri!"

For fifty years, this event has proudly brought together rowing, swimming, running, and handball under the name "The Tri." It's five decades of tradition on the San Francisco waterfront.

See the schedule for handball semi-finals and finals.

Rowing: Launch from Aquatic Park Cove, row out around Alcatraz Island, and return to the docks.
Swimming: A single loop around the perimeter of Aquatic Park Cove with chip timing.
Running: Scenic out-and-back route from the cove promenade out to Fort Point beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and back.
Handball: Tournament matches at the club.

Swimmers assemble in the South End kitchen for the 8:15 AM briefing. To ensure safety and prevent crowding with incoming rowing shells, swimmers exit through the side doors directly to the beach.

Official Sponsors