Condolence page for David Jenkins

This page has been set up to share the condolences from people across the aquatics community and beyond for David, who oversaw the progress of the next generation of elite athletes with Dive London, as well as playing his part on coaching teams at Olympic Games, World and European Championships and Commonwealth Games. 

Jack Laugher

Words cannot describe how devastated I am. A great man, friend and coach. You will be truly missed

Noah Williams 

Recently my coach and one of my best friends Dave passed away. To me, Dave was more like a friend, mentor and father figure all in one. Without Dave pushing and supporting me I know I would never have been able to achieve my dream of becoming an Olympian. 

Dave believed in me like nobody else did and when my competition didn’t go well he said to me, “We can’t just move on we have to learn from this and be better next time” but there won’t be a next time with you and that hurts me so badly. 

I got this tattoo to remember our journey together over the past six years. I miss you so much and hope you enjoyed coaching me as much as I enjoyed having you as a coach. 

Jane Figueiredo

David you are forever etched in my heart. RIP my sweet amazing friend and coaching partner. You are one of a kind forever and always - god bless Melinda and all your families. 

Adam Smallwood 

Still lost for words… Dave you will be missed mate and my thoughts are with your family right now. However you have left us all with so many amazing memories…Rest easy X

Scarlett Mew Jensen

I wish I could say thank you for making me the person I am today. When I moved to Dive London you understood my potential and inspired me to want to get to the pool more than anything else in the world. The love you had for sport, your sense of adventure and desire to push yourself to the absolute limit motivated everyone around you. You became so much more than a coach, with a commitment to be by my side every step of the way. I learnt from you every day and while we were making memories I’d like to think we grew as people together. 

There were of course lows but you were there to pick me up and these just made the highs even higher. Going to my first Olympics with you by my side was the most special moment of my life. I am so proud and happy to have shared this with you. I will spend the rest of my diving career carrying your values and little bits of you with me into each training session and every dive I do. You were the best person I have ever known and my life simply won’t be the same without you in it.

Jen Leeming

I still don’t want to believe it - RIP Super Dave. I will miss standing next to you on national and international poolsides, debriefing with you at the end of a hardcore day at the pool and the random WhatsApp videos and messages.

Dave brought the energy, he brought the intensity, and he brought the fun. He was excited about the future. Make the most of everyday regardless of how hard it may seem. Sending love to everyone that knew him and my thoughts are with his family and wife, Melinda.

Jack Buckner, British Swimming CEO

David was a dynamic and inspirational young coach. It was so tragic to hear of his death, and my thoughts and deepest condolences go to Melinda and his family. 

Whenever I saw David, he was smiling and you could just see the enthusiasm he had for diving and for all of his divers. He was always full of energy and had a zest for sport and life. He is a huge loss for the whole diving family.

Julian Bellan, British Diving Talent and Development Manager

I am truly blessed to have shared poolside's and gyms around the world with David. He was always professional, always energetic and always, always an inspiration - but most of all, he was one of the most genuine and fun people to spend time with. Thank you for the many memories, Super Dave.

Jane Nickerson, Swim England CEO

Everyone at Swim England is deeply saddened to hear of David’s passing. He was a highly-respected coach who played a key role in the development of several divers who have competed at the Commonwealth Games, World Championships and the Olympics.

He will be extremely missed poolside and our thoughts and sincere condolences from everyone at Swim England go out to his family and friends.

Sally Munday, UK Sport CEO 

Our thoughts are with David’s family, friends and colleagues at this incredibly distressing time.

Team England

Team England would like to express our deepest sympathy to those who knew David Jenkins following the news of his passing.

A brilliant coach with an amazing personality, David's impact on thousands of divers from beginners to the elite will never be forgotten.

Richard Chessor, British Swimming Physical Performance Lead and Performance Nutritionist

Whilst I didn’t know David particularly well, I did have the pleasure of sharing a few taxi journeys with him in Tokyo this summer.  

I’ll always remember his passion and enthusiasm for diving during those taxi chats.  He spoke with such positivity and energy and was very generous with his compliments towards our performances in the pool.  

A big loss to our aquatic family and my thoughts are with David’s family, friends and colleagues.

Mathz Lindberg, Swedish Diving Chairman 

We are all in a deep shock when we were reached by the tragic news that David Jenkins a young coach and a wonderful person has passed away. 

Swedish Diving want to send our condolences to his family and British Diving.

Iván Bautista, Mexican Diving Head Coach

I send my condolences and condolences to the English Diving Family for this sensitive loss. I also join in the tribute of the enthusiastic young coach David Jenkins for his outstanding career and contribution to the diving of the world. Rest in peace.