Skip Storch

{{short description|American swimmer (born c. 1957)}}

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| birth_name = David Storch

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David "Skip" Storch (born c. 1957) is an American swimmer.

On August 29, 2007, 50-year-old Storch swam a record-breaking 85.5 miles unassisted continuous triple lap swim around Manhattan Island, completing the swim in 32 hours and 52 minutes,{{cite web|url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/20531280/|title=Man's swim around NY results in hospital stay|date=31 August 2007|website=NBC Sports|accessdate=30 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010074411/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/20531280/|archive-date=10 October 2012|url-status=dead}} breaking two recognized records and qualifying him for an ESPN ESPY Award. Storch did not stop swimming but did stop river boat traffic. He was nominated for an ESPN ESPY award, "Best Outdoor Sportsman",{{cite web |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/34049-2008-espy-awards-the-nominees |title=2008 ESPY Awards: The Nominees |last=D'Aniello |first=Chris |date=1 July 2008 |website=Bleacher Report |accessdate=7 June 2016}} for this achievement in 2008.

Storch lives and works in Nanuet, New York, at his own Tackle and Fly shop called SHU-Fly.{{cite news|url=https://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/2016/06/05/waterfront-shu-flys-skip-storch/85189112/ |title=Shu-Fly's Skip Storch is secret to Rockland fishing|author=Kevin Phelan|publisher=The Journal News}}

He is the assistant swimming coach at Ramapo College in Mahwah, New Jersey, and trains at LifePlex pool in Monsey, New York. Skip has done numerous other marathon swims {{cite web|url=https://www.openwaterswimming.com/round-and-round-skip-storch-goes/|title=Round And Round Skip Storch Goes|date=31 August 2007|website=Open Water Swimming|accessdate=13 September 2023}} in Open Water Swimming. Skip is also known for his environmental work creating awareness of pollution in the Hudson River and other waterways.{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/08/03/Activist-swims-Hudson-from-Albany-to-Statue-of-Liberty/3775586584000/|title=Activist swims Hudson from Albany to Statue of Liberty|publisher=UPI}}

In 2017, Storch was charged with predatory sexual assault against a child.{{cite news|url=https://www.lohud.com/story/news/crime/2018/06/05/skip-storch-faces-prison-sexually-abusing-girl/672527002/|title=Skip Storch: Swimmer, ex-recreation director faces prison for sexually abusing young girl|author=Steve Lieberman|publisher=The Journal News}} During their investigation, authorities said they learned Storch had committed sexual acts with a child under 13.{{cite news|url=http://www.lohud.com/story/news/2017/09/19/david-skip-storch-charged-sexual-assault-against-child/678123001/|title=David 'Skip' Storch charged with sexual assault against child|author=Kimberly Redmond|publisher=Rockland/Westchester Journal News}} In 2018 Storch pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 7 years in prison, with 15 years of probation, and will be on the New York State Sex Offender Registry.{{cite news|url=https://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/rockland/2018/08/14/david-skip-storch-sentencing/979628002/|title=David 'Skip' Storch sentenced to 7 years in prison in sex abuse case|author=Kimberly Redmond|publisher=Rockland/Westchester Journal News}}