CEO/Head Coach Message
We’ve got a big stretch coming up for DAM, and it’s one of my favorite times of the year. Big Day of Giving is right around the corner. This is our biggest annual fundraiser and it’s a chance for all of us to come together and support the club we love. Lake Berryessa Open Water Swim is going down on June 6. And our Adult Learn to Swim program kicks off this summer - one of the most impactful things we do as a club, giving adults the opportunity to learn a life-changing skill at almost no cost.
With all of this happening, we need your help - whether that’s donating, volunteering, swimming, or just spreading the word. DAM is what it is because of this community, and this is the season where that really shows.
Also…special shoutout (and maybe a hug) to everyone who was signed up for the meet last weekend. Unfortunately the heater broke (I guess it's not just us) and the meet was canceled. Tough break, but after watching the rain come down all weekend, there’s a decent chance we all got spared a pretty rough weekend. Oh well...on to the next one.
Let’s keep the momentum rolling.
Big Day of Giving - Let's Build the DAM
We’re gearing up for Big Day of Giving (May 1) with a full week of events and ways to support the club. This year’s theme: Build the DAM | Every Brick Makes Us Stronger.
Schedule:
4/27: Fundraiser at Dos Coyotes Border Cafe (4:00 PM–close)
4/27–5/01: Donation drop-offs + online giving
5/01: Big Day of Giving celebration at Brady Building (snacks, music, fun)
New this year:
Fund for a future pool facility
Instant Joy Fund (make the coaches dance, change music/workouts, and more)
First 14 sponsors in each category receive a special prize
Back again:
Raffle (now you can target the prizes you want)
Coach “costume upgrades” as donation goals are hit
All Star Alley—watch the DAM grow with every donation
We also need volunteers on May 1 (2 per hour 6–8 AM, 3 per hour 8–12 PM). Click HERE to sign up to volunteer.
Questions or sponsorships: fundraising@damfast.org
Let’s build something big—together.
Dos Coyotes Fundraiser
Join us for a fun (and easy) way to support DAM! On Monday, April 27, head to Dos Coyotes Border Cafe (South Davis) anytime from 4:00 PM to close.
Bring the event flyer (we’ll have them on deck and send one out via email), and DAM will receive 20% of your bill.
It’s a great chance to grab dinner, connect with teammates, and support the club as we head into Big Day of Giving week.
Lake Berryessa Open Water Swim
The annual Lake Berryessa Swim will be held at Steele Canyon on June 6, 2026. If you haven’t already, register HERE to swim!
This is a huge undertaking and it would be impossible to host an event of this magnitude without participation and support from our members. We need volunteers to assist with everything from site set-up, check-in, first aid, water safety, packing/unpacking the truck, and many other tasks. A Sign-Up Genius is available HERE for all volunteer spots. Please consider signing up for a shift (there is no limit on number of shifts you can sign up for, provided they do not conflict) and help to make this the best DAM event possible! And if that’s not enough, all volunteers who sign up by May 17th will be guaranteed a free 2026 event T-shirt.
Area coordinators (the point-person for a given area of responsibility) are needed for First Aid, the finish line and awards on race-day, as well as truck loading on Friday before the race at Civic. Contact Kevin Waterson at Berryessa@damfast.org if you are interested in the area coordinator positions. If you can’t make it to the lake, consider helping load/unload at civic the Friday before or on Saturday afternoon after the event.
Still looking for a way to help? Donate money by being an event sponsor. If you have a business to promote, or want your name on our merchandise, please contact Kevin Waterson at berryessa@damfast.org.
However you help, WE APPECIATE YOU!!
Adult Learn to Swim
Our Adult Learn-to-Swim (ALTS) program is returning this summer, and we are once again looking for volunteer instructors to help adults in our community learn this life-saving skill.
Program Dates: June 16 – July 9
Classes: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:15–7:00 PM
Location: Civic Pool
Instructor Training:
June 9, 6:30–8:00 PM
Brady Building
If you’re interested in volunteering, please check your calendar to confirm you can attend both the training and the class sessions.
Questions? Contact:
Rose Cholewinski — rose@swimamericadavis.com
Pat Quinn — prose.quinn@gmail.com
Diane Barrett — dianebarrett3@gmail.com
Train with Olympic Gold Medalist Cullen Jones
Check out this special clinic in Sacramento featuring Olympic gold medalist Cullen Jones, one of the most accomplished sprinters in U.S. swimming history. This unique opportunity combines in-water instruction with insights from a world-class athlete who has competed in multiple Olympic Games and won multiple medals. Whether you’re looking to refine your technique or get inspired, this is a rare chance to learn from one of the best.
Arroyo Update
We received an update from the City on the Arroyo pool project. The heater replacement is now complete, and the new system is ready to go.
There has been a delay with the filter installation pushing the projected completion date to April 30.
In the meantime, all workouts will continue at our current pool locations. We appreciate everyone’s flexibility as we’ve worked through these changes, and we’re looking forward to getting back to Arroyo soon!
Pool Gates
Quick reminder that all pool gates must remain closed at all times. We will make sure gates are unlocked for access, but they should not be left open.
This is a Yolo County Health Department requirement we need to follow. Thanks for helping us stay in compliance and keep things running smoothly.
Competitions
USMS Spring National Championship
Date: April 30th - May 3rd
Location: Greensboro, NC
Click HERE to register and for more information
2026 Distance Non-Free Virtual Challenge
Date: May 1st - June 30th, 2026
Location: any SCY pool!
Click HERE for more information
2026 Lake Berryessa Open Water Swim
Date: June 6th, 2026
Location: Steele Canyon Campground
Click HERE to register and for more information
Workout Rotation
Week of 4/13/26
Monday - IM
Tuesday - Sprint
Wednesday - Distance
Thursday - Kick/Pull
Friday - IM
Saturday - Coach Choice
Week of 4/20/26
Monday - Sprint
Tuesday - Distance
Wednesday - Kick/Pull
Thursday - IM
Friday - Sprint
Saturday - Coach Choice
DAM Board Meeting
Our next board meeting will be held on 5/13 at 6:30 pm in the Brady Building.
