On the 7th of January 2017, on his 21st birthday, Nick Dempsey dived into his backyard swimming pool and changed his life forever. Dislocating his neck and compressing his spinal cord, Nick and his family had to face up to one of the worst outcomes - that Nick was facing life as a quadriplegic. Having to shelve his water polo aspirations, Nick has been focused on his rehab and has continually astounded his therapists with what he has been able to achieve. Originally being told that he would have to use a mouth controlled electric chair to get around, Nick put his determination as an athlete to the test and is now not only in a hand controlled chair, but is also taking lessons to be able to drive a modified car. Nick's journey to recovery echoes his journey as an athlete and is an inspirational story of perseverance that anyone can sympathise with.

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Nick's road to walk again is a long and expensive one. If you want to donate or support Nick in any way, please check out the links below.

Follow Nick's Journey: https://www.facebook.com/nickdempseysjourney/

Donate to Nick's Journey: http://www.nicksjourney.org/

Team up with Nick's Journey: https://www.facebook.com/nickssupportcrew/

Nick's Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickkdempsey/

You may not recognise the face, but you might hear a familiar voice in this week's episode of Treading Water. Liam Stapleton began his radio career at the age of 14 at an Adelaide community radio station and is now one half of the nation-wide Triple J Breakfast Show. While he is normally heard talking about his love of Australian music, Liam is no stranger to the sporting world, having trialed for over 5 English Premier League Football clubs as a teenager. In this episode, Liam also talks about the overwhelming negativity he faced when he started his dream job, and the RUOK? Day video that changed it all. Liam has also started to show his face face at a few Australian Water Polo League games, so be sure to welcome him to our community if you see him.

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CHECK THIS STUFF OUT

Liam's RUOK? Day Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Yh4noLlV7c

Treading Water Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/265479804332662/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/beachwaterpolofours

Facebook: www.facebook.com/beachwaterpolofours

In the water polo community, Mel and Bec Rippon hardly need an introduction. The sisters from Sydney have together been to 5 Olympics and share an Olympic Bronze Medal from Beijing in 2008. While both sisters have since hung up the swimmers (except for a few sneaky Beach Water Polo Fours appearances), Mel and Bec weren't ready to say goodbye to water polo, both becoming extremely successful coaches in the water polo community. Bec is now the NSWIS Head Coach and Aussie Stingers Assistant Coach, while Mel coaches the ACU Cronulla Sharks Women's National League Team. While you would expect two high achieving siblings to have a crazily competitive upbringing, Mel and Bec have both supported one another throughout each stage of their careers and only been excited for one another. With their step-sister Kate Gynther, it wouldn't be hard to argue that these sisters would have one of the best family Fours team in Australian Water Polo. In this episode, Mel and Bec talk about their upbringing, sibling non-rivalry, parental support and the rise of women stepping into coaching positions.

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CHECK THIS STUFF OUT

Treading Water Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/265479804332662/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/beachwaterpolofours

Facebook: www.facebook.com/beachwaterpolofours

The Treading Water Podcast is back for Season 2! We will be dropping episodes with some of our favourite people in the sporting world every Wednesday, but in the meantime, we want to give you a quick update and introduction to the season.

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CHECK THIS STUFF OUT:

The Fours Four Favourite Season Moments: www.beachwaterpolofours.com/new-blog/2019/4/15/the-fours-four-favourite-season-moments

The 2018/19 Season Wrap Up Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeWk76G-tHk

Instagram: www.instagram.com/beachwaterpolofours

Facebook: www.facebook.com/beachwaterpolofours

We wrap up season 1 with a countdown of our top 5 episodes and feature what is coming up for our events this summer and season 2 of Treading Water.

Facebook: Beach Water Polo Fours

Instagram: @beachwaterpolofours

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The summer of Beach Water Polo Fours is fast approaching with registrations for our first event in Wollongong on 1 and 2 December open now. Head to www.beachwaterpolofours.com for all the info and to register.

This week we sat down with creative Anthony MacFarlane, part of the brains trust behind the famous 'Beached As' video that has amassed 9.3 million views on YouTube in 10 years. Anthony also runs a successful bar and a number of other businesses that are discussed throughout the episode. Coming up to the 10 year anniversary of the Beached As video, Anthony discusses how his love of the sport and the community within has remained his one constant throughout his career.

Facebook: Beached Az

_____________________________________________________________The summer of Beach Water Polo Fours is fast approaching with registrations for our first event in Wollongong on 1 and 2 December open now. Head to www.beachwaterpolofours.com for all the info and to register.

This week we sat down with creative Anthony MacFarlane, part of the brains trust behind the famous 'Beached Az' video that has amassed 9.3 million views on YouTube in 10 years. Anthony also runs a successful bar and a number of other businesses that are discussed throughout the episode. Coming up to the 10 year anniversary of the Beached Az video, Anthony discusses how his love of the sport and the community within has remained his one constant throughout his career.

Facebook: Beached Az

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The summer of Beach Water Polo Fours is fast approaching with registrations for our first event in Wollongong on 1 and 2 December open now. Head to www.beachwaterpolofours.com for all the info and to register.

Silver medals in World Cups don't happen overnight and the Australian Mens Water Polo team are no different. There has been a lot of hard work, sacrifice and heartache to get to the podium but the hard work is not over yet.

Aidan Roach (nickname AJ), a fixture in the team since 2009 sat down with us on the back of the teams best ever performance at a World Cup to talk to us about how he and the team got to where they are today, including his personal story. Having played the game in so many countries, few others can provide analysis like this and you won't hear it anywhere else.

Instragram: @aidanroach6

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The summer of Beach Water Polo Fours is fast approaching with registrations for our first event in Wollongong on 1 and 2 December open now. Head to www.beachwaterpolofours.com for all the info and to register.

After writing herself a contract to do whatever it takes to play Water Polo for Australia at the Olympics, Holly tells us about her olympic journey, 'that backhand goal' in the quarter final of the London Olympics and life as a new Mum.

The summer of Beach Water Polo Fours is fast approaching with registrations for our first event in Wollongong on 1 and 2 December open now. Head to www.beachwaterpolofours.com for all the info and to register.

After shoulder surgery ended his time playing water polo, Nick Brbot redirected his love for the water and began taking on 8ft+ waves as a professional body surfer. Ten thousand Instagram followers later, Nick is an integral member of the Bate Bay Body Bashers and frequently surfs heavy breaks such as Cape Solander and Voodoo. In this podcast episode, Nick recounts his journey as both a water polo player and a body surfer, and gives insight into the terrifying moment he was held underwater, unable to reach the surface.