Richard (Dix) Gardner - Whittier. CA, USA
Dix Gardner has been a swimmer all of his life. Being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when in his early 40’s and living with type-1 diabetes since his early teens has not stopped him continuing to swim. In fact, it has defined his purpose.
There are over 2.3 million people worldwide living with Multiple Sclerosis, a chronic and unpredictable disease of the central nervous system leaving countless individuals disabled and often wheelchair and home bound.
I have taken these words from his website: www.wheniswimfoundation.com
“Swimming is the place where I am free. Free from the physically and mentally challenging aspects of living with Multiple Sclerosis. Swimming is one of the few abilities and pleasures in life my MS has not robbed of me being able to enjoy. I look at swimming as my personal equalizer over my MS and over all those of able minds and bodies. Swimming is who I have become. It is what Drives Me, My Identity, My Vocation, My Purpose in Life.”
I hope you enjoy his truly inspiring story.
When I swim, I am at one with myself and at one with the world
“I am now a proud 60 years old with swimming being a significant part of my life, for most of my life.
“In 2001 I was living life at full steam, when out of the blue I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Over the past 19 years I have slowly lost many of my abilities to take part in many of the activities I previously so enjoyed, relying on a wheelchair to get around when I am not in the water.
“I am grateful for being a confident swimmer, as swimming and being in the water is the one place my MS does not have control over my life. I am truly free when I am in the water.
An early swimmer
“My dad had an easy rule to understand, ‘everyone learns to swim, no excuses!’. Therefore, aged two I became ‘water safe’.
“We were very fortunate to have a pool in our family home backyard. What I remember most in those early years is being in the pool just about 24/7, laughing, yelling, and playing games with my older sisters’ Wendy and Jill. We are two years apart in age with me being the youngest. My sister’s favorite game was Marco-Polo. I preferred playing red-light-green-light, but I didn’t have much say being not only the youngest, also the only boy.
“My early swim lesson memories are of my teacher / coach Sandy. I can still see Sandy with his red hair, slim build, covered in freckles walking up and down the pool deck as we swam. Sandy’s nose always covered with zinc oxide, encouraging us to do better, all the while making swimming fun.”
Competing by the age of 5
“By the time I was aged five, mum and dad had us three Gardner children involved in competitive swimming, all year round.
“What comes to mind first is me setting the league record for the 25-yard breaststroke at the age of six while swimming in the seven to eight years age group, and later that same day setting the league record as part of the seven-to-eight years old medley relay with my best friends. Great memories even though I am sure our record has been crushed since, time and time again.
“It wasn’t only the competitive, race hard side of swimming which springs to mind as I look back. Fun was a big part of my early swimming. I swam everywhere I could in Southern California and wherever our family travels would take us; at our local high schools and regional park pools, backyard pools of friends and neighbors. I often found myself swimming in the bay at Newport Beach CA, as well as in the Pacific Ocean, from San Clemente Beach to Huntington Beach California, to rivers and lakes in Yosemite National Park, one of my all-time favourite destinations, and throughout the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California.
“I loved the water then, and I love it even more now. I made lifelong friends swimming and playing water-polo over these years.
“I also have fond memories of my parents dropping me and my good friends Ric, Clem, and Jeff on the sand at Newport and Huntington Beach where we would spend endless hours swimming and body surfing.”
Three hours of practice each day
“Swimming was my life and the lives of my sisters and our friends. As a youth my dad would drop us off at California High School for swim practice with the Whittier AAU swim team (Amateur Athletic Union) where we would practice for three hours - five days a week - under the watchful eye of coach Mr. Seamans. His children Clair and Scott were also on the team. We would go on in later years to compete against each other from opposing high schools.
“Our swim team suits were solid red with a small white insignia WAAU sewn at the seam. Goggles had not come onto the swimming scene back-in-the-day. You could always spot the swimmers, the kids with the chlorinated red eyes and green hair. We wore these markings with pride.
“One of my big drivers to become a success in the pool was my best friend Clem Penrose. Clem, a gifted and exceptional swimmer was, and has always been, a better swimmer than me. This rivalry always gave motivation to work harder and improve my own performances. Clem went on to become water polo team captain at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.”
Before Red Bull
“I can recall sitting on the gym floor, or under the shade of a nearby tree adjacent to the pool deck waiting for my next race to be called at our weekly swim meets. Our mothers would give us powdered Kool-Aid out of the box, which we would pour into our mouths just before competing, my favourite being the grape jelly flavour. I think this was our mum’s early version of a Red Bull energy burst of today. I used it as my secret weapon, sticking out my purple tongue to intimidate the other swimmers in the event as I climbed onto the starting block. I don’t know if it worked, but I did get the reputation for the squirrely kid with the purple tongue.”
I went for the penny dive
“Swimming competitively with my sisters took us to numerous pools and swim meets scattered across Southern California, high schools, city recreational pools. I recall the Belmont Beach and Aquatics Centre , the San Pedro Harbor Aquatics Centre (now closed), and many other aquatic centres from Santa Barbara to San Diego.
“My parents also had us swim independently for many years in the Balboa Bay Club 4th of July and Labor Day open swim meets. My middle sister Jill always cleaned up. But for me, I was just into it for the penny-dive at the end of the day.”
Water Polo was front and centre for years
My love of swimming continued throughout junior high and high school where I also played on the water-polo team. Entering high school, my friends and I were very fortunate to be following in the footsteps, or should I say strokes, of my friend’s older brothers. They had achieved great success over the prior years at La Serna HS in their water-polo and swimming, leaving some pretty big shoes to fill. And we did.
“We had great success in both swimming and water-polo at La Serna high school due the dedication, knowledge, and drive of our coaches Ralph Hahn (water-polo) and Dave Miller (swimming). Coaches Ralph and Dave were always pushing us to be our best. We claimed the Whitmont League swimming and water-polo titles from our Sophomore years onwards and went on to make the semi-finals in water-polo in our Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years.
“We all played water-polo and swam year-round, never having an off season across these years. My swimming ability definitely helped me become a better water-polo player which was more my passion during this time.
“Another memorable high school event was in my Senior year when playing against Santa Fe HS, Whittier CA in the Whitmont League Water Polo Championship game. The game had gone to double overtime, and I had just been substituted back into the game when my good friend Ric, after a missed shot on goal, stole the ball from their goalie, quickly passing to me in center field to make the game and the league winning shot. ‘Goal!!!’
“I flew out of the pool smiling ear-to-ear and gave my coach a big bear hug”
“Another highlight for me was at the close of our Senior year in water-polo, when I was recognized with Honorable Mention by the Whitmont League coaches and players.”
Butterfly was my stroke until MS took over
“During high school swimming, butterfly was my favourite stroke, with the 100-yard butterfly and 200-yard individual medley being my pet events. These two events gave me the most successes and personal satisfaction.
“These same two events were also Keith Burgess’s events, one of my long-time swimming friends. Keith always seemed to take first place and I second, except when we were competing against weaker teams, our coach would enter only me in these events so I could get the joy of winning the blue ribbon.
“One of my best memories was my Sophomore year swimming against Whittier HS. Me and two of my La Serna HS Sophomores, climbed onto the blocks against three Seniors from Whittier HS. When the race was over, we, the Sophomore-trio, took first, second, and third places.
“I only wish I could still swim butterfly today. Unfortunately, with torn rotator cuffs and MS affecting my legs, butterfly is no longer an option. Breaststroke is the other stroke I can no longer swim due to the effects of MS on my legs.
“And another frustration is no longer being able to do a flip-turn. Trust me, I have tried and I will keep trying, my legs just won’t have it ☹
“Rest assured, freestyle and backstroke still give me the freedom in the water I crave and allow me to continue to enjoy and love being in the water.”
The Bass Lake swim started at 3:30am
“As a child, my parents would ship me and my sisters off to Skylake Yosemite Camp in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California every summer for a month. Skylake Camp introduced me to backpacking and the wonders of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It was also here where my sisters and I, aged 10, qualified to swim the length of Bass Lake, a distance of 4.5 miles.
“To qualify for the length of Bass Lake swim, we needed to swim the width of the lake and back, about a mile in distance, in under 45 minutes, which we did, thus qualifying for the full event.
“On the day of the big swim we entered the water at 3:30 AM so we would be able to swim the distance without the worry of being run over by a ski boat. My middle sister, Jill age twelve at the time finished first with my other oldest sister Wendy (14) finishing shortly behind her. As for me, I happily finished last out of the twelve swimmers.
“I repeated the swim of Bass Lake the following year, when I was age eleven with an improved finish placing. To date, I am the youngest camper to have ever swam the length of Bass Lake.
“In August 2019, I once again swam the length of Bass, 48 years after my first swim in 1971. The 2019 swim was swum with the purpose and intent of raising Multiple Sclerosis awareness and funding to help find a cure.”
MS has not stopped me from swimming
“Swimming makes me feel great! The release of the positive endorphins makes me feel accomplished and on top of my game. I get a definite high from my swimming. It is the one place where I am free from my Multiple Sclerosis and all of the stressors of the world.
“Due to my physical restrictions my swimming is 100% powered through my upper body arm strokes. I keep my lower body afloat by wearing either a swim buoy between my legs or wearing 5m Xterra Lave pants. Both of these help float my legs and lower body.
First in and last out
“With the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak (2020) we are now required to book times for our swims. Swim time allocations are on the hour, with 45 minutes of pool time and a 15-minute break between the next set of swimmers diving in. These shorter swim times are less than I preferer and have me maximizing my 45 minutes by swimming non-stop, alternating between freestyle and backstroke. I arrive early to be the first swimmer in the water, and I am always the last swimmer out.
“Prior to these restrictions, I would break-up my swimming sessions into shorter sets and segments. A 500-yard warm up, followed by several 200-yard swims, several 100-yard swims, and a 200-yard cool down. Some days I would include a few 25-yard no-breather sprints and one or two fully submerged underwater 25-yard swims.
“I change these up as I prepare for upcoming longer lake swims. Swimming non-stop for at least two hours in the month leading into my open-water lake swims.
“I don’t have a coach at present, but the lifeguards (all certified swim instructors) on duty offer me advice as they oversee the pool. Their help has noticeably improved my strokes and swimming efficiencies over the years with their technical tips and feedback. You will also find me watching an occasional YouTube video for tips and ideas on swimming techniques and improvements.
“I like to consistently swim, at a minimum, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at my local aquatic centre Splash La Mirada . The complex offers two pools, a 25 yard recreational lap pool and the other a 50-meter Olympic competition pool. The complex also has a water park featuring various water slides, a lazy river, and spa. Splash La Mirada offers local families with summer entertainment, and lap-swimming and water aerobics all year-round.”
“During the warmer summer months I like to swim in the open water, in local spots such as Newport Back Bay and at Seabridge Park in Huntington Harbour.
“These spots are calm water bays with an inviting summer water temperature averaging 72 degrees fahrenheit (21degree celsius) . The swims range in distance from one to two miles depending on how I am feeling on that day. I always have a friend paddle alongside me in a kayak when I swim in open-water for safety reasons.
“In the Spring, you will also find me swimming at my favourite 50-meter long-course pool, Janet Evans Swim Complex in Fullerton, California as I prepare for my longer summer lake swims in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California.”
I end the session relaxing on the pool floor
“For my daily local pool swim workouts, I always tell the new lifeguards on duty of my MS and Diabetes, letting them know not to panic when they see me laying on the bottom of the pool at the end of my workouts. I like to do this after finishing to chill a bit before I climb out of the pool. It is really tranquil and relaxing while suspended in total silence and weightless underwater.”
Do you have set goals or swim challenges, Dix?
“In addition to my weekly swims, my other goal and focus is to continue swimming lakes throughout the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California. “Raising MS Awareness with Every Lake I Swim”.
You can learn more about my foundation, ‘When I Swim Foundation’.
“There are a few events which I swim in every year in addition to my lake swims:
Shark Fest Coronado Island swim (1 mile) San Diego, CA
Naples Island SUP & Swim (1 mile and 3 mile swims) Long Beach, CA
Challenged Athletes Foundation Triathlon (1 mile swim) La Jolla, CA
“With most of my swimming being solo, I obtain great satisfaction at these mass participant events. I really enjoy the camaraderie of being in the water and swimming with others who share the same passion for swimming as I do.”
My support team is amazing
“Speaking of solo, I do not really swim in the open water solo. I always have the support of a friend/s in a kayak paddling alongside me for safety. A strong lesson I learned from my first open water swim where I found myself alone in the Pacific Ocean, in the middle of winter without a wetsuit and 1/2 mile out from the beach in dense fog, with my blood sugar dropping. This was a definite eyeopener as to how fast things can go wrong swimming in the open water.” From then on, I take a support person with me when swimming solo."
Dix with family and friends - his Sierra Nevada Open Water 4MS support team
Dix, what are some of the ‘highlight’ swims you have completed?
“My most memorable swims have been swimming the lakes I have swam thus far in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, especially the higher elevation lakes.
“There is something magical about lowering your head and taking your first few strokes in the brisk and cold snow fed waters of a high elevation lake in the Sierra’s. I strongly recommend everyone to find a high elevation lake and make it your personal lake swim challenge.
“In 2014 I was looking over June Lake, CA from the ski mountain lodge when I said to myself, I want to swim that lake, and that is how ‘Sierra Nevada Open Water 4MS” and “When I Swim Foundation” came to be.
In 2017 I swam the length of Shaver Lake, CA 4.5 miles at 5,700’ elevation.
In 2018 I swam the length of Huntington Lake, CA 5.0 miles at 7,200’ elevation,
In 2019 I swam the length of Bass Lake, CA 4.5 miles at 3,450’ elevation.
My 2020 swim of June Lake, CA 1.5 miles at 7,600’ elevation was postponed due to COVID-19.
And what swims are on the bucket list Dix?
“In 2021 I will be moving over to the Eastern Sierra’s where I will again be focused on swimming June Lake, Gull Lake and Lake Mary. These lakes are shorter distances, though the elevations start at 7,600’ to 9,800’ in elevation.
“My biggest goal is to get out into the backcountry of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and swim several lakes that I have identified above 9,000’ elevation and higher. Inclusive of:
Lake Sabrina , 9,200’ Elevation
Steelhead Lake, Wasco Lake, 20 Lakes Basin 10,000’+ Elevation
Thousand Island Lake, Rae Lake, Second Lake & Other Lake Basins Above 10,000’ Elevation:
Dix, what places do you recommend visitors take a swim?
“There are many great spots to swim up and down the Southern California coast. I highly recommend these two:
Corona Del Mar Beach: Featuring picturesque views of both the Pacific Ocean and Newport Beach Harbor. This city beach offers plenty of parking and easy ocean access and re-entry from a nice sandy level beach. Upon completing your swim, I recommend driving south a short distance to Laguna Beach, find a nice seaside restaurant and enjoy drinks, appetizers, and an amazing sunset over Catalina Island.
La Jolla Cove, San Diego County: This protected cove is also post card picturesque and full of sea life. The water is clear, and expect to see many colourful fish while swimming there, including the bright orange California Garibaldi, also Seals, Leopard Sharks and Sea Turtles swimming below you as you swim.
And a little about your non-swimming life Dix?
“At the age of 14, when a Freshman in high school I was diagnosed with Type-1 Diabetes. My mother gave me my first and only insulin injection when I first got home from the hospital after being diagnosed. This was the best thing she could have ever done for me. Since that day I have gone on to live a healthy and fulfilling life living with Diabetes.
“Throughout high school and beyond, I also enjoyed surfing, water skiing, backpacking, hiking, and camping throughout the Sierra Nevada mountains, in addition to becoming an avid snow skier, a road cyclist, and fearless mountain biker.
“I spent my Freshman college year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in Central California. I then transferred my Sophomore to the University of Southern California, Los Angeles California where I graduated from in 1982 with a degree in Communications.
“I lived in The San Francisco bay area for a time after college and then in Newport Beach before marrying and moving back to my hometown, Whittier, California.
“We raised our son Cameron and daughter Margaret in Whittier, both children graduating from my Alma mater La Serna High School. A few years after my marriage of 20 years ended, I found myself taking an unexpected early retirement due to my MS progressing.
“It was at that time in my life that I was to discover my new calling and vocation in life, ‘Raising MS Awareness’ through my open water swimming.
“I have always had type-A personality, been a thrill seeker, and always up for a new challenge.
“This past year, my fraternity brothers surprised me with an adaptive surfboard which now allows me to be in the ocean and enjoy the waves again. When things get back to normal, post Covid-19, I’m committed to trying my hand at adaptive snow skiing.”
Dix, your story is totally inspiring. Swim People is so pleased to have your story, thank you. Please share with us a final word.
“Swimming has always been such a big part of my life!
“I feel blessed and thankful my parents introduced me to swimming at such a young age. I often wonder if it had always been the plan of the man above. Giving me the strength, courage, and perseverance through swimming to deal with and rise above the setbacks and challenges in life put upon me.
“My focus now is to keep on swimming and to continue to raising MS awareness and Inspiring Others of All Abilities . . . Raising MS Awareness with Every Lake I Swim”