A sanctioned swim covers the distance between the Northeast buoy at the Farallon Islands and the Golden Gate Bridge, either direction is acceptable. Land is never to be touched at the Islands, since they are a National Wildlife Refuge.

English Channel Rules apply with one exception – neoprene caps are allowed. The reason for this is the first swimmer to accomplish a never before accomplished feat sets the rules – both swimmers who completed the swim in 1967 wore neoprene caps.

1. Swimmers shall only be allowed to wear goggles, and swim suits without any kind of flotation. Wet suits strictly forbidden.

2. Swimmers shall keep their same order throughout and swim an hour each, with a total of five minutes allowed for transition. *only for relay swims