Tom Linthicum, known by some by his nickname Reptile, is a 66-year-old American escort pilot who plies his passion in Lake Tahoe and elsewhere.
In addition to helping out and volunteering for a number of swims, Linthicum also has served as an escort pilot on several dozens of Lake Tahoe widthwise and lengthwise high-altitude crossings every year – and is also a marathon swimming veteran:
- Lake Tahoe in California: 2006, 2012, 2014, 2016, three times in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
- Bay to Breakers in San Francisco Bay
- Swim the Suck in Tennessee in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2013
- SCAR Swim in Arizona in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024
During this year’s SCAR Swim, Linthicum helps pilot the pontoon boats, helps with the escort kayaks, and does his own solo swims between all his innumerable other unselfish acts.
© 2024 Daily News of Open Water Swimming
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