Swim for United Hospice at Germonds Pool

Swim Across America is coming to Clarkstown to benefit United Hospice of Rockland for the first time. Swim Across America began in 1987 and has been dedicated ever since to raising money for cancer research. Now it will also benefit a local nonprofit.

“Marc Holland was involved in Swim Across America and also lived in Rockland,” explains Lanie Etkind, the director of development at United Hospice of Rockland. “It was his idea that there should be an event here”.

He passed away unexpectedly this April, just a few months after arranging the swim.

“This event will be in his memory,” says Etkind. “It will be his legacy”.   

On Sunday, August 14, swimmers will have the opportunity to race in a 1/2-mile or 1-mile-pool swim, alongside Hall of Famer Skip Storch, who will also be signing autographs. Storch is an ultra-marathon swimmer and Nyack resident, who at 50 years old broke the record for the three-lap swim around Manhattan Island. His time was 37 minutes and 30 seconds faster than the old record.

This accomplishment is even more remarkable given the life-threatening lung disease he manages to swim with, a disease called sarcoidosis. Though Storch acquired sarcoidosis after 9/11, he has refused to let this end his career. Storch donates most of his funds from his races to charities and 9/11 victims.  

There are many different ways to be involved with Swim Across America. Swimmers can create a team of five to 10 members, join an existing team, or register on their own. Teams are often created in honor or in memory of a friend or family member. 

Supporters are encouraged to help sponsor the swimmers or donate to the event. Teams of five to 10 members must raise a minimum of $5,000. Each additional swimmer must raise a minimum of $500. Students in 12th grade or below must raise a minimum of $250. Donations can be submitted before or on the day of the race.

Registration is available online here.

Check-in for the event will commence at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 14 at Germonds Pool in West Nyack and will be provided on a first come, first served basis. All athletes will be given a t-shirt and towel and they will be offered a lap counter. Both showers and changing rooms are available at Germonds. The swim ends at 9:30 a.m.   

The fundraising goal for the Germonds Clarkstown Pool Swim is $10,000. Between $1,600 and $1,700 has been raised so far.

“Right now we only have a few people registered,” Etkind says, though she is optimistic.  “We find each year we hold an event, that it grows.”

The August event’s proceeds will also be donated to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York Presbyterian Babies Hospital and the Cancer Support Team.

For more information, contact Lanie Etkind at United Hospice.