Managing Partner
On June 1, 2025, an experienced firefighter and triathlete was tragically paralyzed during the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon in San Francisco. This catastrophic event wasn’t just unfortunate—it was entirely preventable.
As someone who has personally competed in this race several times, I can speak directly to the reckless nature of the swim start. Athletes line up on a ferry and are instructed to jump rapidly into the chilly waters of San Francisco Bay, with little or no spacing, guidance, or meaningful safety oversight. The resulting chaos isn’t merely adrenaline-inducing; it creates obvious, foreseeable dangers for every participant.
What happened this June was no freak accident. It was the predictable outcome of a race design that places spectacle above safety. Athletes plunging blindly into the water risk landing directly on each other, a hazard known and ignored by event organizers. The injured triathlete’s paralysis wasn’t caused by a risk inherent to triathlon—it was the result of a deliberate choice by the organizers to neglect basic, easily implementable safety protocols.
Contrast this with other comparable events, such as the “Escape the Cape” Triathlon in New Jersey. That event also features a dramatic ferry-jump start—but organizers carefully manage athlete entry. Participants are guided individually, instructed exactly when and where to jump, and are held back until it’s clear and safe to enter the water. This simple, controlled approach significantly reduces the risk of collisions or injuries, proving that safety and excitement aren’t mutually exclusive.
In my professional role as a personal injury attorney, I represent people who have suffered catastrophic, life-changing injuries, including paralysis. I’ve seen firsthand how these devastating outcomes shatter not only the lives of the injured individuals but also their entire families. Each tragedy underscores the critical importance of prioritizing safety, especially when dangerous outcomes are foreseeable and preventable.
While athletes commonly sign waivers recognizing certain risks inherent to triathlon sports—like exhaustion or routine injuries from swimming, cycling, or running—these waivers do not, and should not, shield organizers from accountability when injuries occur due to reckless decisions and disregard for participant safety. Allowing participants to jump blindly into crowded water without spacing or guidance is not inherent to triathlon competition; it is a negligent choice, demonstrating deliberate indifference.
I write this post not only as a lawyer who cares deeply about helping victims of preventable injuries but also as an athlete who believes passionately in the triathlon community and its values. It’s deeply upsetting to think about what happened to this individual, when it was not easily preventable. Participant safety must be paramount, and event organizers should be held accountable when they fail in this fundamental responsibility.
My hope in speaking out is that this tragedy will prompt triathlon organizers, particularly those overseeing the Escape from Alcatraz event, to reassess their practices and prioritize safety above spectacle. Athletes deserve better. Let’s demand—and achieve—a standard in safety all triathletes deserve.