Skip Storch

On August 29, 2007, 50-year-old Skip Storch swam a record breaking 85.5 miles unassisted continuous triple lap swim around Manhattan island. It was completed in 32 hours and 52 minutes, breaking two recognized records and qualifying him for an ESPN ESPY Award. Skip never stopped swimming but did stop river boat traffic. Skip has been appropriately nominated for an ESPN ESPY award, "The Best Outdoor Athlete 2008" for the Triple Lap around Manhattan.

Skip Storch’s swimming career began in his teens when he was directed by a doctor to swim to save his health due to the loss of his spleen. All his training amounted to an attempt to swim from Cuba to the United States, but Skip could not complete it, but was not defeated. Hurricane Floyd hit and he lost his home and broke his neck, setting him back 10 years. Skip was also affected by 9-11 and contracted the life threatening 9.11 disease called sacroidosis, affecting his lungs. He continues to swim for charities and donates his fundraising efforts to 9.11 foundations. Not only does he raise money to save lives by fundraising, but he even saved one during the Manhattan Triple lap swim marathon. As he swam, he aided an overturned Kayaker pinned under a boat. Skip has been recognized as the grandfather of open water swimming.

This local celebrity lives and works in Nanuet, NY at his own Tackle and Fly shop called SHU-Fly. He is also the assistant swimming coach at Ramapo College in Mahwah, NJ and trains at LifePlex pool in Monsey, NY.

Awards

* ESPN ESPY Nomination "Best Outdoor Athlete"