Dave Denniston Relay

Photo: Dave Denniston

Back in May of 2005 the Novaquatics Swim Club in Irvine held a fund raiser to benefit Breast Stroker Dave Denniston to aid him in his recovery from a spinal cord injury which paralized him from the waist down. The event organized by Jessamyn Miller raised $30,000 that day. (Half of which he then donated to Project Walk) An amazing feat.

It really was an awesome day. My friends Deena and Kerry decided to swim for the cause and raised $600 thru Brendan Hansen Online and did a great job of swimming! They were superstars! All the Nova kids were rockstars. So fun to watch. Each relay team had 4 members and each member had to swim 10 lengths of the pool. Much more fun that a marathon swim. I love this sport and to be part of that day was like watching all your football playing cousins come home for Thanksgiving and play a big game with their family members, young and old. Dave Denniston, his sister, mother, dad and tiny nephew Timmy all swam too. It was an awesome and inspiring thing to see Davo get into the water and swim 10 laps just a few short months after breaking his back. His will is earthshattering. It was very special, and I can't thank my Kerry and Deena enough for swimming. I probably would not have gone if they hadn't been swimming. But I learned something important. If you go to a swimming event, and you don't know anyone going in, you will when you come out. It was a very special day. I met Jason Lezak, his wife and his father for the first time. The senior Mr. Lezak is one of the nicest men you could ever meet. I have continued to see him at many meets even if Jason isn't swimming. Just because he loves the sport. Like me! Lenny Krayzelburg was also there with his new wife. Jeri Moss and Turkish swimmer Derya Büyükuncu were also there. The most impressive thing that day was the community at Novaquatics. An amazing group of people coming together to aid a fellow swimmer. (No, the most impressive thing was not Coach Dave Salo's Gary Hall Jr. impersonation.)

Davo is progressing amazingly well. He has such strong will. He is taking a few steps now merely a year after his accident. If you dont know his story please go to davedenniston.com and be inspired. His journal is the place to go. Start at the bottom and work your way to the top. It is worth the read. Send it forward.