Generations of families gathered at American Turners New York to celebrate a remarkable milestone on Aug.1. for the 70th Annual Interclub Races, continuing one of Throggs Neck’s longest-standing summer traditions.
Hosted this year by American Turners New York, the annual competition brought together swimmers from White Cross Fishing Club, The D.A. Beach Club, The Strand, Askov Hall and American Turners New York for a day of friendly competition, sportsmanship and community pride.
Swimmers of all ages competed in individual and relay races, earning points for their respective clubs as they vied for the coveted Interclub championship trophy.
In recognition of the event’s 70th anniversary, organizers introduced the inaugural Legacy Race, a special exhibition celebrating the families whose participation in the Interclub Races has spanned multiple generations. Each of the five clubs was represented by families whose roots in the competition stretch across decades, highlighting the enduring traditions that have defined the event since 1956.
One of the day’s most memorable moments came when Mitch Spalin of The Strand, formerly the Manheim Beach Club, and Kenny Pue of Askov Hall, both of whom competed in the inaugural Interclub Races in 1956, returned to the water to participate in the Legacy Race alongside members of their families. Their participation bridged seven decades of Interclub history and symbolized the race’s enduring legacy.
“For me, the Interclubs have always been about so much more than swimming,” said Christina Piscopo, an Interclub Committee member and third-generation member of The D.A. Beach Club. “There is something incredibly special about seeing generations of families from all of our clubs gathered along the waterfront, sharing the same traditions that have brought this community together for 70 years.”
Piscopo said the Interclubs represent what makes the Throggs Neck beach club community so unique: friendship, family, tradition and a true sense of community.
Following a full day of competition, The Strand captured the overall Interclub championship, earning the annual trophy and neighborhood bragging rights until next year’s races.
The anniversary celebration also recognized Yvonne Wallace, an Interclub Committee member, and Howard Burkhart of American Turners New York for their years of dedication and service to the Interclub Association and the Throggs Neck community.
The Association also paid tribute to four individuals whose contributions continue to shape the Interclub tradition. William Carter Sr. and William “Billy” Carter Jr. of White Cross Fishing Club, along with Kevin Kelly Sr. and Kim Haertel of The D.A. Beach Club, were honored posthumously for their lasting impact on their clubs and the Interclub community.
The Interclub Association also thanked this year’s lane, race and trophy sponsors, whose continued support helps make the annual event possible. Special recognition was given to the Throggs Neck Benevolent Association for its continued support in memory of longtime D.A. Beach Club member Chris Dalton, and to Empower Rehab, sponsor of the inaugural Legacy Race.
The history of the Interclubs dates back to the summer of 1956, when a small group of neighboring beach clubs formed the Interclub Association with the goal of creating a friendly but competitive swim competition that would strengthen relationships throughout the waterfront community. The original member clubs included the D.A. Beach Club, Manheim Beach Club, Askov Hall Beach Club, New York Turner Club, Morrisania Yacht Club and White Cross Fishing Club.
While some clubs have changed over the years, the spirit of the Interclubs has remained the same. Today, the tradition extends beyond race day through the annual Dinner Dance and community fundraising events that help preserve the races for future generations.
Seventy years after the first starting horn sounded, families continue to gather along the Eastchester Bay waterfront each summer, proving that the Interclub Races remain far more than a swimming competition. They remain a celebration of family, friendship and one of the Bronx’s most enduring community traditions.
