In 1997 he became the first African American pro player to win a major Beach Volleyball event when he won the $300,000 Hermosa Beach AVP Grand Slam. This and other career successes has put him in a unique position to act as a role model for other African-American and inner city kids. Dain then established "Dain's Day at the Beach", volleyball clinics where he also stresses the importance of education, goal setting, and overcoming racial obstacles. He is also active in other promotional areas such as the American Heart Association "Heart Walk", as well as acting as an Olympic Ambassador, where he is engaged in public speaking to raise money for the causes he supports.

Born and raised in Laguna Beach, California, he grew up playing a range of sports including basketball, baseball, soccer and volleyball. At just 13 he would go to the beach on a Friday night with his older brothers to stake out a spot in the sand to watch stars like Sinjin Smith play in events like the Jose Cuervo Beach Volleyball Championship. That is where he fell in love with his chosen sport. The rest, for this Olympic champion, who admits to loving the lifestyle, the competition and the atmosphere of Beach, is history

On the Net: www.dainblanton.com