NYC Swim arranges and organises swims around Manhattan Island  New York, the mission of which is to host World Class open water events. As you will agree swimming this event butterfly is not only world class but more than likely a first in the history of this event. Swimming the waterways of New York City is traditional and dates back to the 1800’s and is a swim that has grown over the years. Not many people have swum Manhattan Island Butterfly, in fact whilst 'butterfly like' strokes have been reported no one has swum it proper butterfly, and  this is actually  confirmed by Morty Berger and his organisation NYC Swim. Morty is a two time solo MIMS swimmer, and  says that it has never been  swum utilising the proper butterfly stroke. (evidence available upon request)  An attempt was made to swim Manhattan Island  using the butterfly stroke although the person attempting such actually had to resort to other strokes in order to complete says Morty. In fact,Morty Berger,himself a seasoned and well respected  long distance swimmer in his own country, having completed various shorter distance open water swims in warmer waters is proud of the fact that in 1993 a dozen or so swimmers opened the NYC chapter of MIMS. Today the army of volunteers and staff he controls that run the NYC Swim with great obsession do a pretty good job. They should be applauded for the great job they do. Without  Morty, the ‘guru’ of Manhattan and his obsession to pedantic detail there would be no open water swim around Manhattan Island. Long may it continue.