NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: July 27, 2011
Contact: Karen Campbell
Phone: (803) 360-5038
13th Annual Dam Swim for Drew
(Lexington, SC) -- On Saturday, September 17th, the Lexington High School (LHS) Swim
Team will host the 13th Annual “LHS Dam Swim for Drew.” Registration begins at 8:00 a.m.
with the first wave of swimmers entering the water at 9:00 a.m. The two-mile open water swim
across Lake Murray begins from the Irmo boat landing, crosses the lake past the three towers,
and concludes on the Lexington side of the dam at the SCE&G Park.
The purpose of the annual swim across the dam is to raise awareness of boating and swimming
safety in memory of 10-year old Drew Smith. On July 19, 1997 Drew was killed in a boating
accident when a group of boaters made the decision to drink and drive throughout the day on
Lake Murray. They rammed into the boat young Drew and his dad, Randy, were fishing from in
a Lake Murray cove. Randy Smith survived the ordeal; Drew did not. As a result of Drew’s
death, South Carolina State Senators voted on legislation for “Boating Under the Influence
(BUI),” soon after the accident. SC Code 50-21-112 soon became known as “Drew’s Law.”
The swim began 13 years ago when the Lexington High School swim team approached Coach
Anna Daly (former Olympian from New Zealand) and Lexington High School Principal Creig
Tyler to ask if they could contact Karen and Randy Smith to form an annual event in memory
of their son Drew. The LHS Dam Swim for Drew began raising funds for an indoor pool where
people of all ages can learn to swim. Since there is no regulation pool for year-around
swimming in Lexington, swimmers must travel to the YMCA in Irmo, the University of South
Carolina, Harbison Recreation Center, or Columbia College to practice.
After many area swimmers and tri-athletes asked to participate in the swim meet, what started
out as a local fundraiser and memorial swim has become a National swim event with Masterslevel, as well as USA Swimming participants 12-65 years old. The LHS Dam Swim for Drew
draws swimmers from all over the southeast. In 2010, Master’s participants from Alabama,
North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia participated in the event.
The US & Lake Murray Power Squadron, Columbia Sail Club, SCDNR, and Lexington
County Sheriff’s Marine Task Force assists with the event, as well as ensuring the safety of
the swimmers across the lake. Columbia Fire and Rescue Squad recently joined the event to
provide first aid and rescue on the lake, if needed. Numerous kayakers from Palmetto Paddlers
and individuals volunteer their time to paddle with the groups as they cross the lake.
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Swimming and turning it into a exciting fundraiser for an indoor pool in Lexington County is the
way the LHS swimmers feel can contribute to their community, remember Drew, and reminding
everyone that alcohol takes lives from young and old, whether on land or in the water.
For more information on the 2011 LHS Dam Swim for Drew contact:
Karen Campbell at (803) 360-5038
damswimfordrew@gmail.com.
Also, please visit the following Web sites for information and registration forms:
www.lexingtonwildcats.com
http://sites.google.com/site/lhsdamswimfordrew
www.lexington1.net/EducationalFoundation
For more information on the SC BUI Law and Boater Safety contact:
DNR Boating Education Office – Columbia, SC
Lt. Billy Downer
803-734-3995
1-800-277-4301
http://www.boat-ed.com/sc/handbook
http://www.boat-ed.com/sc/handbook/alcohol.htm
DNR Media Relations:
Lt. Robert McCullough
803-743-3836
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