Legendary Marathon Swimmer David Yudovin Passes Away


Fort Lauderdale – The international open water swimming community received a shock today when word came that David Yudovin passed away on March 28th, of an apparent heart attack during a workout on a treadmill at his home in Cambria, Calif. He was 64 years old.


David was one of the most remarkable solo open water swimmers in history and was enshrined into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in September of 2014.  

“David’s achievements in the water speak for themselves,” said Bruce Wigo, ISHOF’s President/CEO.  “But David was not only a remarkable athlete, he was a remarkable person who will be missed by all of us at the ISHOF and the entire swimming community.”

Shortly after returning from his enshrinement ceremony last September, David called Bruce Wigo.  A successful businessman who recently retired, he asked the Hall’s president if there was anything he could to assist the Hall. Since David’s interest was marathon swimming, Wigo suggested he get involved in the administration of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF), an organization founded in 1963 and long administered through the ISHOF.  David and his wife Beth dove into the task with the same enthusiasm and professionalism as they approached David’s swims.  They presented a plan of action to the IMSHOF’s Board and soon found themselves appointed to the top leadership position and set out to revamp the entire organization.  They developed new selection criteria and policies, organized the 2015 IMSHOF induction ceremony and created a new website for the organization- all while planning David’s next swim.  


“His passing leaves so much at both halls of fame in a state of flux,” says Wigo, “for David’s energy, enthusiasm, leadership skills and personality are truly irreplaceable in one person.  For now our thoughts are with Beth and David’s family and many friends around the world and we look forward to preserving his legacy and continuing what he has started.” 

A
memorial service will be held at 3pm on Friday, April 3rd, 2015 at
Leffingwell Landing, Moonstone Beach, Cambria.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to David’s three favorite charities:

The City of Hope

The Cambria Community Council (to Maintain and operate the Cambria Community Bus)

Contact: cambriancouncil@hotmail.com

Contact Janet Brewster: 1.805.927.4173

Read David’s write up:

Watch David’s Induction video:

Watch David’s Acceptance Speech:

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x