FORMER TEAM USA TRIATHLETE SPENCER KORWIN DIES AT 38 AFTER MORNING SWIM DURING FAMILY VACATION

SHELTER ISLAND, NEW YORK — What began as an ordinary morning during a family vacation ended in tragedy for Spencer Korwin, a 38-year-old former Team USA triathlete, husband and father of two young daughters.

Korwin was staying with his wife, Carly, and their two daughters on Shelter Island, New York, when he went into the water for a morning swim on September 2, 2026.

He entered the water from a private dock near The Pridwin Hotel at around 8 a.m. When he failed to return, his wife alerted hotel staff, prompting an emergency search involving local police, firefighters, emergency medical crews and dive teams.

After hours of searching, divers located Korwin underwater near the dock at approximately 3 p.m. He was pronounced dead.

Shelter Island police said the incident appeared to be an accidental drowning, with the investigation continuing and the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office responsible for determining the official cause and manner of death.

A LIFE BUILT AROUND ATHLETICS AND WELLNESS

Korwin was no stranger to the water.

A highly accomplished triathlete, he represented the United States at the 2012 Triathlon World Championships in Auckland, New Zealand. He had also been a sponsored Gatorade athlete and built much of his professional life around fitness, health and wellness.

After his competitive athletic career, Korwin continued working in the health and fitness world.

He founded Korwin Health & Wellness in 2021, developing personalized fitness and wellness plans for clients. He also created a summer camp for children in Southampton, giving young people opportunities to stay active outdoors.

Friends and colleagues remembered him not simply as an accomplished athlete, but as someone who was passionate about helping others live active and healthy lives.

HIS GREATEST ROLE WAS BEING A DAD

Despite his athletic achievements and professional success, those closest to Korwin said his family remained at the center of his life.

He and Carly were parents to two young daughters, Sadie, 4, and Colette, 1.

A fundraising campaign established following his death described Spencer as a beloved husband, father, son, brother and friend, saying his absence was being deeply felt by everyone who knew him.

The campaign was created to support his daughters and their future education, with hundreds of donors contributing in the days following his death.

A HEARTBREAKING GOODBYE

Korwin’s funeral was held at Temple Israel in Manhattan on September 6, just four days after his death.

His wife, Carly, delivered an emotional tribute to the man she described as the love of her life.

She spoke about the life they had built together and the devastating reality of having to raise their daughters without him.

Friends and family also remembered Korwin for the small ways he showed his love. He was known for leaving notes for Carly and the girls and arranging messages to remind them how much they meant to him.

AN UNEXPECTED TRAGEDY

Korwin’s death has also drawn attention to the risks of open-water swimming, even for experienced athletes.

Local officials said there had been no obvious severe weather conditions that morning. However, residents and authorities have noted that tides and currents around Shelter Island can be powerful and difficult for visitors to judge.

Police have said there was no indication of criminal activity in connection with Korwin’s death. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities determine the official cause and manner of death.

For those who knew Spencer Korwin, however, the story is about far more than the circumstances of his final morning.

It is about a husband, father, athlete and wellness advocate whose life was centered on movement, family and helping others.

His competitive achievements may have taken him around the world, but his most lasting legacy will be carried by the people closest to him — especially the two daughters who will grow up knowing how deeply their father was loved.