Emily Watt '25

Emily Watt '25 completing her open-water swim in San Francisco Bay.

Alumna Conquers Alcatraz and the Golden Gate for a Cause

By Mia Cross M’03

For the past six years, Frostburg State alumna Emily Watt ’25 has taken on one of the nation's most iconic open-water swimming challenges: crossing the waters of San Francisco Bay from Alcatraz Island and swimming beneath the Golden Gate Bridge.

What began as a personal challenge quickly became something more meaningful. "I chose to do the swim to challenge myself and put my mind and athleticism to the test," Watt said. "Most people cross the Golden Gate Bridge and take pictures from above, but very few can say they've been under it, looking up at the unbelievable architecture."

The swim also supports a cause close to her heart. Proceeds benefit Swim Neptune, a program founded by her former Arizona swim coach that provides children with access to water-safety education. "Drowning rates are high in Arizona, but all it takes is a little knowledge to understand the dangers of the water and how to stay safe," Watt said.

Alcaltraz swimmers during the open-water swim in San Franciso Bay.

The journey from Alcatraz Island to Aquatic Park covers approximately 1.2 miles and takes about 35 minutes. The swim beneath the Golden Gate Bridge stretches 1.4 miles and typically takes around 50 minutes, depending on tides and currents. Swimmers must contend with powerful water conditions as ocean currents and bay currents converge.

Preparing for the challenge has evolved over the years. Watt first trained in Arizona lakes, later utilizing Frostburg State's swim facilities, and now relies on independent endurance training. While the physical preparation is important, she says the mental aspect is what truly defines the experience.

"It is easy to train for the mileage, but you can't train for the mental fight of open-water swimming," Watt noted. "The fear, joy, pain, pride and cold water can't be replicated in practice. It comes down to putting your thoughts to rest and trusting yourself to keep swimming."

Emily with her mother on the beach after her swim.

She is quick to credit her mother for helping make each swim possible. From providing essential gear to offering unwavering encouragement, her mother remains her biggest supporter. "She is my why," Watt said.

The swim also carries special family significance. Watt’s great-grandfather, Norm Layton, traveled beneath the Golden Gate Bridge in the 1950s while departing San Francisco Bay for service in the Korean War. Remembering that connection adds a deeper meaning each time she enters the water.

"These waters mean so many different things to different people," she reflected. "For my family, the waters go deeper than the bay."