Head Coach Message
We're just about a month away from the Pacific Masters Short Course Yards Championship meet. The goal is to defend our title and win again this year! To do that, we need as many swimmers as possible—speed doesn't matter, participation does. Every swimmer who competes will help us score points, even if you don’t think you’ll be a contender. So if you haven’t already, click HERE to sign up! The meet is right down the street in Natomas, and you can swim whatever events you want!
And if you're feeling uncertain about diving, don’t worry! Sean and I will be hosting a start clinic (details below) to walk you through all the different types of starts and help you find the one that works best for you. Let’s be DAMSTRONG and win this meet once again!
Coach Matt
LAST CHANCE!
Strategic Planning Member Survey
Today, Monday, and tomorrow until noon is your last chance to participate in Strategic Planning survey. Make your voice heard as we plan for the future of DAM.
We are pleased to announce the start of a strategic planning process that will help to influence DAM's future and sustainability for years to come. This initiative will strengthen our organization and establish a clear framework for decision-making. Your opinions are crucial to this process! We invite your thoughts on DAM's strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for the future. Your feedback can help influence DAM’s mission, priorities and future direction. We have prepared a brief survey to gather your insights. Your responses will remain anonymous unless you provide identifying information.
Your DAM voice matters, so please take a few minutes to contribute!
https://forms.gle/GWgCSzPSFSWgZxkGA
30/30
This March you can OWN the 30/30 challenge! All you have to do is swim for 30 minutes on 30 consecutive days. Swimmers who complete the March 30/30 will receive 5 Grand Prix points! If you have any questions, reach out to Coach Sean (skos@damfast.org).
DART
Our friends at DART are excited to be hosting the TYR Pro Swim Series April 2-5 at the Natomas Aquatic Center. They need volunteers to chaperone athletes chosen for drug testing during finals. Volunteers will get a free ticket for another night of finals. If interested, please go to VOLUNTEER FOR PRO SERIES. Once you fill out the form more information will be emailed to you. Tickets for the Pro Series will also be on sale soon! A Link to buy can be found HERE. If you have any questions email Jamie Kiarie at jamie.kiarie@dartswimming.com
Brute Squad
Mark your calendars…For those of you who did the Brute Squad and enjoy hanging out with your fellow Brutes enjoying a glass of beer/wine/whatever, you’re in luck because we are planning on a Brute Squad party on March 16th from 3:30-5:00 pm at the Dunloe Brewery on Olive Drive in Davis. It doesn’t matter what Brute you did, as long as you registered, you are invited!
In the past, we’ve asked everyone to bring a snack to share, but it’s turned out to be way too much food! Going forward, we’ve decided to alternate between the Full Brutes and the Brute Lites each year for snack duty. This year, it’s the Brute Lites' turn! So, if you swam as a Brute Lite, please bring a snack to share with the group (think chips, veggies, dip, etc.). Can’t wait to see you all there!
DAM Adult Learn to Swim (ALTS) 2025 Program
For the third year running, DAM is sponsoring an ALTS program. In the past the program has been well received, beneficial to students, and gratifying for the volunteer instructors.
We have contacted the volunteer instructors who participated in previous sessions, but we are now looking for more volunteers to teach. Training will be provided, and you will have support throughout the lessons. DAM swimmers who taught in the past unanimously agree that it is very gratifying to share their love of swimming and help someone become more comfortable in the water, and learn some basic skills.
If this is something that interests you, contact info is below. We ask that you commit to all 8 teaching sessions. Past experience has taught us that consistency is key to the students’ success. If you are not certain of your summer plans, let me know if you are interested and your name will go on the “maybe” list.
The proposed dates for DAM’s ALTS 2025 Program are:
- June 17 (Tuesday)
- June 19 (Thursday)
- June 24 (Tuesday),
- June 26 (Thursday)
- July 1 (Tuesday)
- July 8 (Tuesday)
- July 10 (Thursday)
- July 15 (Tuesday)
The proposed times are:
- 6:15p – 7:15p
Instructions to last 45 minutes, allowing time at end of class for questions, and use of showers
If you would like to know more about volunteering to instruct for the sessions offered this summer, please contact:
Pat Quinn
Prose.Quinn@gmail.com
ALTS Webinar – Bridge to Masters
Expert Tips on Keeping Beginning Swimmers and ALTS Graduates Swimming
DAM is planning to host a third Adult Learn to Swim program this summer. If you volunteered in the past as an instructor, this webinar may be of interest to you. If you have not previously been a volunteer instructor but are interested in learning more, and volunteering this summer, this webinar will provide you with valuable information.
One of the objectives of an ALTS program is to encourage new swimmers to continue to swim. Some of the students become skilled enough that they could possibly continue swimming in a Masters program.
This one-hour, Zoom panel will feature expert ALTS instructors who coached recent ALTS graduates and beginning swimmers (e.g., those who learned to swim as children, but who never swam with a team) in Masters Programs. These experts will provide tips on developing and organizing these Bridge to Masters programs, constructing workouts and creating a welcoming environment for beginning swimmers within an existing masters swimming program. Ample time for Q&A will follow a series of short presentations.
Date: March 13, 2025
Time: 6-7 PM PST
Registration: Free! Please contact ALTS Chair, Kim Elsbach to register and get a Zoom Link: kdelsbach@ucdavis.edu
Weekly Workout Schedule
Week of 3/10
- Monday - IM
- Tuesday - Sprint
- Wednesday - Distance
- Thursday - Kick/Pull
- Friday - IM
- Saturday - Coach Choice
Week of 3/17
- Monday - Sprint
- Tuesday - Distance
- Wednesday - Kick/Pull
- Thursday - IM
- Friday - Sprint
- Saturday - Coach Choice
Competitions
Pacific Masters Relays
- Date: 3/16/25
- Location: Pacifica, CA
- Click HERE to register and for more info
2025 Bay Area Senior Games
- Date: 3/32/35
- Location: Palo Alto, CA
- Click HERE to register and for more info
USMS Spring Nationals
- Date: 4/24 - 4/27
- Location: San Antonio, TX
- Click HERE to register and for more info
DAM Board Meeting
The next DAM Board meeting will be on Wednesday March 12 at 6:30PM in the Brady Building.
