Pridwin drowning sufferer was ex-Team USA triathlete as tragedy sparks Labor Day water-safety warning

The obvious drowning of a married father of two younger women close to a luxurious Shelter Island lodge is prompting a warning for Labor Day weekend guests to not underestimate the sturdy tides and currents that sweep the East End’s open waters.

Spencer M. Korwin, a former Team USA triathlete, entered the water from the Pridwin Hotel’s personal dock Wednesday morning and was discovered underwater close to the dock about seven hours later, based on Shelter Island police officers.

The 38-year-old New York City resident graduated from Syracuse University and joined SportsLab NYC as a coach in 2013 earlier than launching Korwin Health & Wellness in Manhattan. He certified for Team USA in 2012 and competed on the Triathlon World Championships in Auckland, New Zealand, according to SportsLab’s website.

That athletic background underscores what native officers and skilled swimmers say is a vital Labor Day warning: Even top-notch swimmers can underestimate the tides and currents round Shelter Island and the East End.

“People are not familiar with the waters around here,” stated Laurie Eckardt, a lifelong Shelter Island resident who lives on Stearns Point close to the Pridwin and spends summers swimming at Crescent Beach along with her kids and grandchildren.

John Kirincic – a grasp for the Southold Town Police Department’s Marine One, which was concerned within the seek for the lacking swimmer – stated the present within the space is usually sturdy due to the slim passage the place the tide flows.

He stated Wednesday morning’s circumstances had been seemingly calm.

“There wasn’t anything unusual,” Mr. Kirincic stated. “There was no fog or anything bad.”

The Pridwin/Crescent Beach space isn’t usually thought of a hazardous space for swimmers, added Shelter Island Police Chief James Read.

“However, these are open waters where tides, currents and boat traffic are always considerations,” Mr. Read informed The Suffolk Times.

Crescent Beach was eerily quiet Thursday morning below an overcast sky, with a brand new signal warning “Swimming Not Advised” posted close to the seashore. By late afternoon, the solar broke by means of and beachgoers returned.

In entrance of the Sunset Beach Hotel, a household with younger kids performed seashore volleyball. Jennifer Netta of Watchung, N.J., who was visiting Shelter Island for the primary time with household from Manhattan, stated the seashore regarded deceptively calm.

“I was very surprised by the fact that there’s the most lovely fine-sand beach right across the street [from the hotel] with very simple waves, nothing too harsh,” she stated.

Matthew Stromberg, who runs an area paddleboard rental firm there, additionally stated the water had been calm Wednesday and that Crescent Beach is mostly thought of one of many safer swimming spots on Shelter Island.

Mr. Korwin didn’t enter the water from Crescent Beach or one other town-lifeguarded swimming space. Police said he went into the water between 8 and 8:30 a.m.

Police said he became separated from a group attempting to swim toward Shell Beach and was later found floating several hundred yards from where he had last been seen, according to previous reporting by Shelter Island Reporter, The Suffolk Times’s sister paper.

The hazard has not been restricted to Shelter Island. Six-year-old Kiara Paolasin of Brooklyn drowned near Sebonac Inlet in Southampton on July 4 after police stated a powerful present swept her into Great Peconic Bay. And throughout one stretch in early August, East Hampton Town lifeguards reported 137 rescues or preventive saves amid harmful rip currents, most of them alongside the busy downtown Montauk beachfront.

The newest warnings come because the North Fork and Shelter Island head into what is predicted to be an inviting Labor Day weekend. The National Weather Service is forecasting partly sunny skies and a excessive close to 82 Friday, principally sunny circumstances with solely a slight probability of showers Saturday, principally sunny skies Sunday and a sunny Labor Day with temperatures within the mid-70s.

Officials urged swimmers to make use of lifeguarded seashores every time potential and stay alert to altering tides and currents.

Wades Beach and Crescent Beach may have lifeguards on obligation from 11 a.m. to five p.m. Friday by means of Monday. In Southold Town, solely two to 3 seashores are anticipated to have lifeguards Saturday by means of Monday from 11 a.m. to five p.m. The decreased protection throughout considered one of summer time’s busiest weekends comes as many seasonal guards have already returned to varsity for the autumn semester, based on native households aware of the city’s seashore staffing.

Southold Police Capt. Scott Latham informed The Suffolk Times that swimmers ought to know their limitations and never enterprise into water that’s too deep or the place currents are too sturdy.

Officials stated preliminary info positioned low tide close to the time Mr. Korwin entered the water, however they haven’t decided whether or not tides, currents or every other water circumstances contributed to his loss of life.

The Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office will decide the trigger and method of loss of life.

Police have stated the drowning seems unintentional, with no indication of criminality, although the investigation stays open.

“Enjoy the water, but respect it,” Mr. Read stated. “Swim at a lifeguarded beach whenever possible, don’t swim alone, be aware of tides and currents, and use additional caution around docks and areas with boat traffic. Parents should closely supervise children around the water, and boaters should also be particularly attentive with the increased holiday weekend activity. Even strong and experienced swimmers should never underestimate open water or changing conditions.”

Additional reporting by Shelter Island Reporter contributor Jackson Rohrer