Five Coves of Death

Depiction of Battle of Puebla

On May 5, 1862, a seriously out-manned and out-gunned Mexican army soundly defeated the French army at the Battle of Puebla.  While not much celebrated in Mexico, the fifth of May is a big deal in the United States based partially on the mistaken notion that this is the day of Mexican Independence from Spain. In fact, many modern day Mexicans deplore the devolution of the occasion into an excuse for drunken debauchery and promotion of derogatory Mexican stereotypes. Accentuating this irony in 2005, the U.S. Congress ordered the President of the United States to observe Cinco de Mayo with appropriate ceremonies and activities.  While the representatives supporting this resolution spoke passionately of the desire to celebrate Mexican-American "culture, music, food, and customs," at least no one specifically mentioned tequila.

Decades before Congress got into the act, Bill Horgos, a member of some notoriety of first the Dolphin and then the South End clubs, suggested a swimming tribute to the fifth of May. He designed and promoted the aptly named “Five Coves of Death” swim.

The swim begins at the clubs’ beach in Aquatic Park. The clockwise option will take the swimmer to the Flag and then to the Goal Posts. Nothing much death-defying about that. From here, though, the course threads under the length of the Muni Pier, a thin, barnacle and starfish-encrusted pathway between concrete and creosote posts. It continues under the Roundhouse and past the jagged pilings out to the Opening. The swimmer then navigates the surging current squishing in and out through the thin gap at the Jacuzzi. From here, the course takes the swimmer behind the Balclutha, swimming over and under scratchy, barely submerged lines and hoses draped from boat to shore. Swimming behind the Thayer presents a similar and slightly more confining challenge. Emerging from behind the Thayer, the swimmer has a short distance to reach the South End pier. Downing an optional shot of tequila at the pier completes one “Cove of Death.”  Popularity of this option seems to have diminished over the years, having been replaced with non-alcoholic hydration and complex carbohydrates.

Passage Behind Thayer

The official start time for this swim is 5:05 pm.  Aspirants whose schedule can't accommodate the afternoon jump-off will start their swim at 5:05 am to maintain the appropriate measure of poetic symmetry.  However, it's the late afternoon start that garners the most support in terms of pilots, dock workers and boosters.  As usual, dinner is waiting for all 55 participants, 34 of whom will complete all five loops this year.  After 2 1/2 hours of swimming in cold, bumpy water even the swimmers who opted to simply swim close to, rather than under Muni Pier have definitely earned the calorie-laden repast.


Recently, the Five Coves of Death has served as a qualifying swim for the Bay to Breakers swim.  Consequently, several yellow-capped individuals who couldn't manage a mid-week swim were circling Aquatic Park Cove Saturday and Sunday.  Forced to weave through the weekend crowd of wet-suited swimmers, these folks soldiered through the course essentially unwatched, unloved, and unfed.  These people must have a high need to swim the Bay to Breakers.


Perhaps the award for "Most Obsessive" must go to Kimberly Chambers and her companion.  They finished their first Five Coves of Death Tuesday morning at 7:30 am.  Emerging from the water looking radiant, they cheerfully informed observers of their plan to return and repeat the course at 5:05 pm.  While not unprecedented, this is highly unusual.  What is even more unusual is that Kimberly's companion wore no swim cap whatsoever for the occasion.  One would imagine that these two scooped up double helpings of food at the buffet that night.