David Yudovin
evmo
SydneyAdmin
Terrible news out of Central California: David Yudovin passed away suddenly yesterday, at his home in Cambria.
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2015/03/29/3562562/swimmer-david-yudovin-cambria.html
Dave was one of the most admired, inspirational, and influential marathon swimmers, and a friend to MSF. We will miss him greatly.
Comments
RIP, David. You're swimming with the tide now.
We're all just carbon, water, starlight, oxygen and dreams
Really shocking. I never met him, but he was the first Channel swimmer to stay with David & Evelyn in Varne Ridge, whom I know held him in the highest esteem and affection and told many stories of visiting him in California. Not to mention his towering reputation.
loneswimmer.com
He was just a great human being. He was a wonderful ambassador of the sport. His support of swimming is truly inspirational. But even more impressive to me is that I am amazed at the diverse group of people that David and his wife Beth have met, befriended and supported outside of the swimming community. Many of us will miss him greatly.
Here is a clip of David getting onboard their green sailboat (with Beth!) at the end of Suzie Dods swim (skip to 8:48)
A stalwart example...Live life to the fullest!
Unfinished business. He was so excited about taking the IMSHOF to another level.
I got to know him over the last several months working to create some events, and he was the consummate team builder and leader...showing how to get things done! A catalyst.
A loss beyond measure.
He saved my Catalina swim and did so selflessly. EVERY stroke I took with him alongside me, all I saw was a this huge smile. A loss beyond measure indeed. Reeling. True old school,supportive yet quiet and a huge influence.
A memorial service and paddle out in honor of David will be held this Friday, April 3rd at 3pm, at Leffingwell Park in Cambria.
Starting today, and continuing through the month of April, we will honor David's life and contributions to the sport of marathon swimming by featuring his photo on the main MSF homepage. This photo is previously unreleased, given by his wife Beth for this purpose. It portrays David in 2008, preparing to go for a swim at Catalina Island -- the location of one of his first marathon swims back in 1976.
You can see it here:
http://marathonswimmers.org
Images from the memorial service. Thanks to @VanMou
Photos by @VanMou --
John Pittman (Catalina pilot)
Prep for Paddleout
Rib and Wreath
I attended the memorial for David Yudovin on Friday at Leffingwell Park. David and Beth are deeply embedded in their community of Cambria, and there was much evidence of this at the gathering.
Grief and Celebration (of David's life) were present in equal measures. Many spoke of their experiences with and of David.
David’s father stood and spoke a few words. His love and respect for his son were evident. He was obviously moved when he spoke his last words to the group: “He was a good kid”.