AN OPEN water swim at Bonegilla on Friday won’t just aid an injured sportsman, it may settle an argument among the Border’s water polo fraternity.
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Dip for Dempsey, being run by Ovens and Murray Water Polo Association, will raise money to support player Nick Dempsey, who suffered a severe spinal cord injury in January.
One of the swim organisers, Nash Clark, said up to 100 competitors would take part in the 1500-metre main race.
“There’s often a lot of banter going around about who’s actually the fastest swimmer out of us all, so this might be a good way to test that,” he said.
The swim begins at 6pm at Albury-Wodonga Yacht Club, with a shorter under-14 event planned for 5pm.
Mr Clark said the idea for Dip for Dempsey evolved out of the shock of Nick’s diving accident.
“We were all touched by this unfortunate incident and I knew there’s a sense of camaraderie among our team and wanting to do something, but left wondering what we could actually do knowing he’s got such a road to recovery,” he said.
Nick is now undergoing rehabilitation at Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre, Kew.
Mr Clark said Dip for Dempsey had benefited from the support of organisers of this week’s Big Splash event, which also involved many water polo enthusiasts.
“It’s probably gone hand in hand,” he said. “This time of year as well it’s not too hot and there’s enough water in the weir where we can make a good shot of it.”
Friday’s event will also launch an ongoing fundraising program called Nick’s Journey, with proceeds to go towards his support and recovery.
Nick’s Journey committee member Leanne Luhrs said the small group was registering a business and setting up accounts to allow money from separate events to be centralised.
“Friday really represents a lot of the water polo zone,” she said. “It’s actually something that Albury’s missing is a big open water swim; and to think we’ve got the lake out there. I know April, the beginning of April, the football codes are all doing something, which will be the next big thing.”
Future fundraisers could include a charity ball and building a house to be auctioned.
“The Dempsey family’s in the building industry, being plumbers, and hence a lot of us are also in the industry and we think that’s the biggest thing we could do,” Mrs Luhrs said.
- Go to nicksjourney.org for more information. Donations can be deposited into Nick’s Journey, WAW Credit Union Co-operative, BSB: 803 070 Acc: 100114885