New Yorker completes record-breaking swim around Staten Island

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Just a month after a Manhattan woman broke a long-held record for the fastest swim around Staten Island, a fellow New Yorker completed the 36-mile endeavor six minutes quicker.

Manhattan resident Chris Solarz successfully beat the record previously set by Leslie Hamilton in July.

For someone who has called New York home for 23 years and who has explored the city’s hidden treasures, this triumph adds another layer of depth to his connection with the Big Apple and the people who call it home.

“Staten Island is where I’ve run 40 races and found a genuine sense of community in unexpected places, proving that the forgotten borough is a gem waiting to be discovered,” he said.

He started his swim just after 7:40 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5.

Solarz powered through the entire 36 miles, a grueling endeavor that ultimately took him 14 hours and 24 minutes to accomplish, leaving spectators and fellow athletes in awe.

Solarz acknowledges that his achievements would not have been possible without the support of his dedicated team. The mastermind behind the project, Captain Francis Laros, is a nautical enthusiast and Solarz’s long-time friend.

“Collaborating with Francis on this task was not only enjoyable, but also immensely rewarding,” said Solarz.

A mathematics teacher, Laros emphasized that analytical calculations played a pivotal role in ensuring the swim’s success.

“I created a mathematical model employing fluid dynamics to calculate how long he was going to be in the water for and how long the swim would take, based on the height of the river and the flow rates,” Laros said.

Solarz’s team, including the mathematical expertise of Laros, formed the backbone of his success, he said, offering not only practical assistance, but also emotional encouragement throughout…