Ok, this review is coming from a different standpoint. I am not an open water swimmer. The swimmers I have talked with all had good words about Leslie an Swim Art, but I can't comment on this. My connection is as a safety kayaker. I am a contractor who works with most of the swim companies. I safety boat for 10-20 swims a year, from being hired on by swimmers at South End/Dolphin Club for their private events to being one of the many (or sometimes, not so many) that make a ring around the large Triathlon Alcatraz swims. And one thing I can say for sure is that Leslie has the best safety protocols of all of the open water swim companies/organizations. The other swim organizers know how to swim, but Leslie is the one who has best looked into how kayakers work and what we are good at, and what our limitations are, and figured out how to work best with this. She generally has the highest ratio of kayakers to swimmers of all. And she has a set group of kayakers she works with, who have all been doing this a while with her (and with others). This means the safety kayakers know what they are doing, both as kayakers and as swim guides/safety boaters. Other swim companies will often take just about anyone who can paddle a boat, and I have had to actually rescue some of these kayakers during swims (meaning both me and that person I am rescuing are not able to do our jobs of watching swimmers). And I have seen many times where the other swims will have swimmers without any kayak safety boats near. This is just an example, but her attention to safety goes beyond this. For example, she is the only one of the swim organizers I have seen who tracks what large ships are expected to be in the area of the event, and figures out how to work around them. I suspect it costs more to use Swim Art for open water events, but part of that is she pats us more than the others do I(so she can keep the trained and skilled kayakers coming back) and she uses more safety boaters. read more

This weekend I did the "Gay in the Bay" swim from the Bay Bridge to the Golden Gate with Swim-Art in celebration of Pride 2009. Overall a great, well-planned and well-supported swim! We started off early at the Aquatic Park meeting point, then walked over to our boat. Most swimmers were in pairs sharing a kayaker, although there was an option to have your own for a small additional fee. Leslie, the expedition leader and founder of Swim-Art, gave us a thorough briefing and we headed out to the Bay Bridge. The swimmers were a good mix of different speeds and levels, also wet-suit and "naked." A very nice, friendly bunch! The swim itself was beautiful, and the swim was planned for a very fast flood current that swept us around the city perimeter and towards the Golden Gate. Landmarks like the Coit Tower, Transamerica Building, and Alcatraz flew by and soon we were back at Aquatic Park. Past Aquatic Park we went by Fort Mason, St. Francis Yacht Club, and the beautiful Palace of Fine Arts Dome. Before we knew it we were swimming up to our boat, the "Lovely Martha," and climbing back on. Lots of great post-race snacks and plenty of room to change back into our dry clothes. The cost is also extremely reasonable, less that a 1/4 of another similar swim that was recently held. I felt really well supported the entire time, and truly had a blast. There was also room on the boat for passengers, which was great because it's always nice to share the great views in the bay with a friend. Based on this terrific first experience, I would love to do more swims with Swim-Art in the future, and would highly recommend to swimmers of all levels and backgrounds! read more

Wow. Impressively helpful, relaxed and supportive. Sara led the beginner swimmers into the water telling us to shriek, splash and let it out (all of us bundled in wetsuits with neoprene swim caps and Sara in her speedo). Exactly the encouragement I needed to brave the 55 degree water. The swim was great, and the experience that you need when you're training for a tri event. Plan on kicking someone and being kicked. It's a great way to learn where you should be in the pack. TRUE STORY: After the swim, Sara came and said "Did you see it!?", I'm like "See what?" It seems that a SEA LION escorted me during my last lap. I thought it was just another swimmer. It was a MOTHER FLIPPING SEA LION. Amazing. read more

This clinic is just awesome! I had a wonderful time! We get our own green swim cap and handout/map plus a free coach pass. Leslie started off talking about the cold and other useful topics. She also gave very encouraging words that made me less nervous and scared. She and all the coaches present were nice and not intimidating at all, considering they have done bay open water swims a million times. They were all helpful with all our questions, how to change into our wetsuit, shared experiences and even provided suggestions on techniques and equipment. We broke off into smaller groups. I had trouble breathing at the beginning and of course I was a slow swimmer too. But Greg, who was in a kayak, was so patient and encouraging. I held on to his kayak feeling bad that I was slowing the group down. And not even once did he make me feel like I was doing something wrong. He was so supportive and told me I was doing a good job. After I got used to the cold, I was able to follow the drills one of the coaches were doing. She was watching and giving comments on our strokes, sightings and breathing. Very helpful indeed! Overall I did a little under a third of a mile. Pretty impressive stuff. People watching from shore are probably thinking how crazy we are for swimming is such extreme environment. Hey, I'm one of the crazies and I feel GREAT! read more

The date was March 2007 and the race I was signed up for was the Vineman 70.3 Half Ironman triathlon. I needed to get some open water swimming under my belt and a coach from the running club recommended Coach Leslie's Swim Art group. One year later I am glad I made the jump to open water swimming and hardly ever swim in the lap pool anymore (probably not good for my speed workout sessions to get my swim times down!). Coach Leslie made the transition easy with the introductory open water swim clinic which made the initial fear I had transitioning to the waters of the SF Bay so much more easier. I was also able to purchase my wetsuit through a triathlon shop that is no longer in business at a discount, which helped out tremendously. From the open water swim clinic to the regular Monday night swims and to a few of the open water expeditions my experience with Leslie and her guides have been fabulous! Also, I have partaken in one Alcatraz crossing which helped me prepare for my recent Escape from Alcatraz triathlon and I can tell you it was absolutely amazing to swim in the middle of the Bay right next to the Rock! I am one of the slowest open water swimmers out there when it comes to doing triathlons but mind you my goal is to live life, have fun and to be free in the waters like the fish sign I am! Oh, Leslie got some press time in the New York Times as well! So awesome!: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/25/travel/25journeys.html?ex=1369281600&en=1ba6674cf89b78cc&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink Peaceout everyone and see you in the Bay waters at Aquatic Park cove! read more

Wasn't sure what to expert... Yes I am conformable in the pool but I have never been a long distance swimmer. Will I be able to keep up? How about the cold and the current? I decided to sign up for one of their introduction to open water swimming. It was great. Leslie and her team were really really nice. They explained what it would be like and answered all our questions including "Will I get eaten by a giant shark with huge teeth?" (The answer is apparently ... no.) We were divided into groups: beginners, intermediate and advanced. They took their time to let us get into the cold water and make some breaks during the swim. I liked it so much that I decided to go to their weekly swim at aquatic park. So I went yesterday - it was windy and cold. But after a few strokes, it felt great to be out there. The coaches were incredibly positive and motivating. I loved it. Swim Art Rocks. read more

I wish I could give Leslie and Swim Art more than five stars. Last weekend (before my Swim Art clinic) was my first time in open water, more specifically at Aquatic Park. I panicked, let the cold get to me, and was fearful that I'd never be able to complete the triathlon I'd been pool training for the past three months. Then comes Swim Art to save the day! I signed up for their 3-hour open water clinic. We spent one hour talking with Leslie and her three other coaches about techniques for swimming, sighting, and equipment. They answered all of our questions, and most importantly put me at ease with my breathing (I have asthma). After the hour of discussion, we headed into the water. Leslie slowly acclimated us to the cold by talking us through it and having us do relaxation techniques in the frigid waters. After 10 minutes, I no longer even felt cold! We spent close to 55 minutes in the water in Aquatic Park swimming, working on technique, sighting, and breathing. At one point, I was having such a good time that I thought I would start crying. I just remembered how awful my first experience was in Aquatic Park last weekend, and relished in the joy that Leslie's teaching skills brought me swimming in the bay. I am now 100% confident that I will finish the swim portion of my triathlon, and who knows... perhaps Alcatraz someday in the near future! Kudos to Leslie and the entire Swim Art coaching team. I will definitely be back in the future! read more

I have been training for my first triathlon in the pool, but had no open water experience. I heard about Swim Art through co-workers and decided to sign up for their open water swim clinic. I'm so glad I did - it was a great experience. We had a very informative safety/technique discussion and Q&A before we ever set foot in the water, then we were split up in to beginner/intermediate/advanced groups. We were given the chance to enter the water at our own pace, gradually get used to the cold, and start working on basic drills such as sighting and sighting/breathing. Leslie worked with our group (the newbies with no experience in open water) and gave us lots of encouragement and drills that we could easily perform and feel confident in our abilities. She also offered individual feedback on our technique, which I found to be exceptionally helpful. I will definitely be joining them for group swims and perhaps an expedition swim in the near future. Highly recommended for anyone who wants individualized attention and a supportive environment when venturing into open water swimming! read more

What an amazing time! I definitely recommend Swim Art if you're thinking of trying open water swimming. It's informative and professional, but also fun and laid-back. I've been swimming for a long time but always thought I wasn't cut out for doing it in the open water... Luckily, Swim Art changed my mind and now I'm looking forward to swimming in the Bay as much as possible! At the Intro to Open Water Swimming clinic, Leslie and the other coach gave us all the information we needed without overwhelming us, reassured us about the water temperature, and gave wonderful coaching and suggestions throughout our time in the water. Having more than one coach during the clinic is great, as swimmers receive a lot of personal attention, which is really useful when you're starting something completely new and different. Even after just this one clinic, I feel confident enough to do some group swims with Swim Art. read more

Swim Art is great. I've taken 2 clinic classes with Leslie and her team of coaches. The level of expertise is amazing - both in the water and out of it, they are constantly imparting knowledge. I learned all the skills necessary to be able to confidently swim in open water. By the end, I was relaxed and really having fun. I even managed to get my speed markedly up, which is good cause I am usually a very sloooow swimmer. Leslie is welcoming, patient and instructive, regardless of your level of experience. I really think anyone who is looking to swim in the bay needs to take one of Swim Art's clinics. I look forward to more swims with Swim Art. read more

A-MAZE-ING! Fun experience from start to finish. I can't believe I swam in Aquatic Park. And because of such a great lesson I can't believe I'm contemplating swimming Alcatraz!! That's how good the lesson was. Leslie and the Swim Art coaches were great. They were super organized and made everyone feel at ease. After a lesson on what to expect and answering our questions we headed to the water. It was a gradual process and Leslie made sure everyone was doing well. There was never a point that I felt unsafe. I recommend this class be placed on your bucket list. read more

Recently moved from Hawaii, where I loved to swim...but got the "open water" swim bug now (read about an Alcatraz swim/race...decided to head to Aquatic Park (AP) to try the water three weeks ago...hopelessly hooked already. I've been heading to the city 4x per week now to swim. Did "another" clinic at AP (they were GOOD)...but joined Swim Art for the first time this past week Monday (the Swim Art "group" and Leslie are GREAT!!). From returning my phone message quickly, and inviting me out to join them...to just the super friendly nature of the coaches, assistants and all the other swimmers....this is a group I will continue to be a part of in the future. I can hardly wait to do some of the "Expedition Swims"...and hope to do the Tahoe camping / swimming trip in late August 09, then the "Trans GG Bridge swim" in September. Some people just "get it" when it comes to people and business...and Leslie and her group at Swim Art are simply the best!! And yes...it was neat that the Oreos were provided (unfortunately, I turned them down...I'm trying to be a good boy on my diet!!)....but thanks!! read more

So, I've taken 2 of Leslie's open water classes now ... one with a SA coach, Chris and the other with Leslie. I'm totally remedial when it comes to open water swimming. That said, the coaching happens at whatever level you're at. So if you come into the water like me, with Hello Kitty arm inflatables, and sporting a big intertube around your waist, Leslie will be just as cool as if you're a member of the Dolphin Club and turn your nose up at wetsuits. Can't wait to do my first alcatraz crossing with the group - though I may lose the Hello Kitty inflatables, because I think they're slowing me down. read more

Leslie Thomas' open water coaching program, Swim Art, made me an open water swimmer for life! She is capable, experienced, and a great teacher. Her Monday night group swims are a great place to start open water swimming while training for a swim or a triathlon. Leslie has a great dedication and can teach both beginners and seasoned swimmers the ins and outs of open water technique. read more

If you are uncomfortable, unsure, or hesitant about open-water swimming, this class is a must! Would highly recommend as an introductory level exposure to this activity. I took a class with Leslie and her team prior to the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon last summer. I would say that this class was critical in my completion of the swim portion. Being a pool lap swimmer, I had never swam in the bay, let alone 52 degree water. The instruction was complete, efficient, and invaluably helpful. After the lecture, we broke into small 3-person teams with co-instructors, donned our wetsuits, and waded into AP to put it into practice. We covered basic sighting techniques which is one of the biggest contrasts to lap swimming, and one of the most critical skills to survive the swim from Alcatraz. read more

On Sunday, April 3rd, I shadowed Leslie's kayak safety team in my boat for the Alcatraz to Aquatic Park swim. The Swimmers, fast and slow, enjoyed a resplendent sunrise with an ebb tide and wise prep on sighting the right approach angle by Leslie and crew. I'm paid up for the April 24th Alcatraz to Crissy Field event, this time as a swimmer. And after that, I won't be able to write an unbiased review because I am going to join Swim Art's kayak team as a safety boater. read more

I've been with Leslie and Swim Art for about 2+ years. Started with Aquatic Park and Treasure island, last week I did Alcatraz to SF. AWESOME! Meet up at 7 am ready to go (suited up), swim review, short walk to Fisherman's harbor, short ride to "jumping grounds." (No real grounds to jump on) Jump at 8 am. Scissor leg jump so you don't sink too far. Start swimming right away so next person doesn't land on you. Excellent kayak support by Ken and Osha. Quiet but you could tell these guys know what they're doing. Plus, having a big motor boat nearby provides extra confidence. About half way into swim, I remember Leslie saying, "you're in the middle of the bay, enjoy the view." So that's what I did. A couple of 360s did the trick. This alone was worth the cover charge. Finished in less than 50 minutes. 1.2 miles. Open water. With Swells. Pretty good for me. Everyone (17 swimmers) stayed til the last person came out. Lots of high 5s and back patting. Good team spirit. Leslie congratulated us, fed us requisite Oreos (multiple flavors) and hot tea. She encouraged me to do the Trans Golden Gate swim. Before this, I never thought I would or could, but now I think I going to go for it. read more

I went out with Swim Art for one of their Intro to Open Water clinics ($80 for an hour of on-land discussion and an hour of stop-and-go swimming) after getting into Aquatic Park swims with a few friends. The clinic divided swimmers up into 3 groups based on ability and comfort level -- though the coaches did not specify which group was beginner, intermediate, or advanced -- and most of the coaches were in water alongside us (Leslie, the lead coach, paddled out on her surfboard to get a better visual of her swimmers.) This is where my disappointment, albeit mild, set in. All 3 groups stuck close to the swim buoy line and the wooden sailboats moored just beyond. If you're unfamiliar with AP, this is only about 100-200 yards off shore. For some reason, I had expected those of us with more comfort in the bay and stronger swimming ability would venture to the opening (or even beyond!) to give us a true open water experience. However, this clinic was very much targeted at non-swimmers and extreme beginners. The pace was slow and there was a lot of stopping in between 10 to 20 stroke stretches of swimming. If you're looking for a way to remedy a panic-ridden open water experience or you want to get into open water but are a self-taught swimmer or one with limited formal experience, this clinic might be for you. If not, you'll find a better experience and price with one of the other weekly swim groups. read more

Just did the GG Bridge swim this morning. Leslie did a great job with all of the logistics. While the weather wasn't great, she allowed us to swim until the fog just got too bad to keep everyone safe. The boats picked us up, we then re-grouped and were able to finish the swim in much safer conditions. I'll definitely be doing more events with swim-art in the future. Really nice people involved at every level - the organizer, boat captains, kayakers and the swimmers. Thanks!! read more

I finally decided to transition from swimming in the pool to the bay. It's a very very scary thing, especially if it's your first time and not used to open water swimming. Leslie (and Dorett) made me feel at ease with the scary water of San Francisco bay. They did not pressure me to just do it. It was a very supportive environment. I like how Leslie encouraged me to try the intermediate group...no pressure with a little bit of encouragement, so I did it and tried the intermediate group. It's been a while since my last swim with them, but I'm definitely thinking of going back. read more

If you want to learn to swim or learn how to swim in open water, Swim Art is the place to be. Leslie is a great coach and is great in her clinics and personal coaching. I highly recommend Swim Art for ANY level swimmer! read more

I *heart* Swim Art. Leslie Thomas is a truly fantastic coach. I am new to open water swimming, and with Leslie's instruction, I continue to become more comfortable in the bay. The clinic I attended in May at Treasure Island was incredibly helpful (new skills, stroke tips, etc.). I look forward to more Swim Art activities! read more

Leslie and Swim Art get 100 stars! Best thing that every happened to my swimming. Leslie took me from a pansy-won't-get-in-the-water-if-the- water-isn't-60 to waiting for the first swim in March when it's 48. I'm only sort of kidding here. Great coaches, fun swimming buddies and mint oreos when you get out of the water. You'll never want to swim in a pool again! read more

I started getting into swimming about 1.5 years ago and loved it. However, one can really only flip turn and stare at the bottom of a pool for so long. That's when a friend introduced me to Leslie Thomas and Swim Art--I've been hooked ever since! There are many reasons to love Swim Art, like: 1. Leslie makes sure everyone has a great time, gets a engaging work out, and is completely comfortable and safe. You swim with others of your ability, and (fantastic) swim assistants make sure everyone is safe and accounted for. 2. Swimming in open water is stimulating in a way that pool swimming just can't be. You learn to respond to your environment as conditions change--think of it as the perfect test of both your mental and physical fitness. 3. The people are fantastic. This is an amazingly supportive group--not at all competitive. Some are training for races, some just come for fun. Regardless, we all want see the folks in our group succeed--regardless of how you define success :) 4. Swim Art provides limitless opportunities to experience the Bay Area from new perspectives! While most swims take place in San Francisco's Aquatic Park, Leslie also leads expedition swims to places like Keller Beach, Treasure Island, Golden Gate Bridge, and even Tahoe. 5. Hot tea and double stuff mint Oreos!!!!! While I could (obviously) go on and on and...just come and join us. I can guarantee you a great time and a sense of accomplishment. And, if you come once, I can also guarantee that you'll be back! read more

I'll join the chorus here and say that if you're looking for safe, inspiring and personalized open water swim experiences, Swim-Art is the place to go. Whether you're a novice or an experienced swimmer, Swim-Art caters to everyone wanting to swim in the beautiful water that surrounds us here in the San Francisco/Bay Area. Swim-Art is the brainchild of Leslie Thomas who is not only very experienced and smart, she's also warm, inspiring and responsive to questions and feedback. Genuinely to her core Leslie is passionate about experiencing the open water and it shows in everything she does. If I could give Swim-Art 10 stars I would. read more

I did the Golden Gate to Aquatic Park swim with Swim Art last year and had a great time. I love that I live in an area where so many unreal ocean swims can be made possible by Leslie and her team. I've already signed up for a few more swims this year and would recommend Swim Art to anyone! It's also nice because the swims are not too big so you get lots of attention and care. read more

5+ Stars for Swim Art, Leslie, and the coaches! I always thought I would hate swimming in the bay because I hate cold water. After attending the Intro to Open Water Clinic I am smitten with swimming in the bay. After spending some time on land where Leslie talked about what to expect, various open water swimming techniques, and a Q&A period, we put our wetsuits on and got into the water. The hour we spent in the water flew by and I was in heaven. No worries about being able to keep up. There are plenty of breaks. I highly recommend Swim Art to anyone wanting to get out of the pool, training for a triathlon, or just curious about open water swimming. I will definitely be signing up for more open water swims. read more

I just completed Swim Arts Bridge to Bridge 6 mile swim. It was an unbelievable day and an unforgettable experience! How could you not have a blast doing a 6 mile swim with strong currents and great views. Here are 3 other things that really stood out about the swim and Swim Art: 1) Well Organized 2) Affordable 3) Felt Very Safe. 1) Well Organized: The morning went very smoothly. Leslie organized all the details so well and she hired a wonderful crew - the crew on the boat were fun, upbeat and supportive. 2) Affordable: About half the price of other organized swims doing the exact same itinerary! 3) Felt Very Safe: She also had a great crew of kayakers who made me feel safe - even when a big tanker was passing me on the left! They were always by my side and i felt very very safe! Thanks Swim Art for a lovely and memorable day! read more

I had been wanting to attempt to swim in Aquatic Park and train for an Alcatraz swim, but all I could think about was the cold, sharks, drowning and the fact that you cannot see a thing in the water. This clinic was exactly what I needed to get over my fears of swimming in the Bay. The on land instruction was really helpful in prepping the group on what to expect, answering any questions that the group had, walking everyone through getting suited up in their wetsuits, etc. Then came the fun part of getting in the water. We were broken up into 3 smaller groups (about 4-5 swimmers per group) and each assigned a coach. My coach was very patient and encouraging. We practiced sighting, worked on form and adjusted to swimming in wetsuits (many of us for the first time). We spent about an hour in the water. We also got to experience the fun of having tourists stand around snapping pictures of all us crazy people in the water. Afterwards, we did a quick debrief on land. I highly recommend this course to anyone that is interested in trying open water swimming. Thanks to Leslie and her team I'm going to start training for an Alcatraz swim! read more

I've done 2 Alcatraz crossings, the Golden Gate Strait and 2 longer bay swims with Swim Art and am training to swim the Bridge to Bridge event on July 8 with them as well. Leslie and Her entire support staff are absolutely wonderful. A real professional, extremely knowledgable and caring group of people. Your safety and well being as a swimmer are always first and foremost, yet they will certainly add adventure when possible. Highly recommend them if you like to swim and seek adventure or if you are curious about open water swimming, check out one of the many coached swim clinics they offer. Swim Art rocks! read more

Swim Art is really amazing. We learned all the skills necessary to be confident in swimming in open water. Leslie with her coaches were very nice to us and they made us feel comfortable and not intimidated at all. They really gave wonderful coaching and suggestions throughout our time in the water. Thumbs up for Swim Art. I highly recommend this to friends who'll like to swim. read more

Swimming with Swim Art has made me a better swimmer, both in the bay and in the pool. I have tried a lot of new things and gained a lot of confidence. As a beginner I felt very safe. It's a very friendly, supportive group of people--swimmers and coaches alike. Leslie is very positive and encouraging and her other guides are also a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. read more

Having put on swim events in San Francisco Bay myself since 1998 and having participated in swim events throughout the world, I've seen the complete gamut of safety (and lack thereof). Leslie affords the best water support and safety of anyone running events in the Bay - bar none! read more

Earlier this week I swam across the Golden Gate with Leslie & Swim Art. It was an amazing, exhilarating experience. We've all seen millions of pictures of the bridge. but it is a unique perspective to be in the Bay looking up at the bridge while you swim. We started at the south end of the bridge on the ocean side and headed north. we had views of the bridge to the right, then directly overhead as the tide pushed us under the bridge, and then to the left as we swam towards Marin. I've had a great year with Swim Art. I've been a lap swimmer for a long time, but was frustrated trying to swim in open water. I took the intro class in April and started attending the weekly group swims. I started with the beginner group, then ventured out into the Bay on the Yacht Club to Aquatic Park expedition swim. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. no walls & constantly changing views. you are literally immersed in nature - the cold, the wet, the wind, the taste of salt, the smells of the bay. I joined the intermediate group and signed up for Alcatraz ... and after that the advanced group and the Golden Gate. It worked out well to have progressively more difficult activities available as my confidence & endurance grew. the coaching & encouragement from Leslie and all the other coaches has been uniformly excellent. The other swimmers are friendly and supportive. some triathletes but also many folks like me who just like to swim and don't care about times. The expedition swims were all well organized, with plenty of kayaker support to ensure a safe swim. If you've ever been intrigued by open water swimming but don't know how to get started - I encourage you to check out Swim Art. Leslie will have you jumping off of Muni pier and actually enjoying choppy conditions. as for me, I'm thinking about the Bridge to Bridge next year. read more

The beginning open water swim clinic is great, it was totally worth the money! Leslie and the other coaches were patient and knowledgable. I am an okay pool swimmer and the clinic helped me with sighting and getting more comfortable in the cold bay water. I highly recommend Swim Art. read more