CEO/Head Coach Message
Lake Berryessa registration closes tonight, and I want to see as many DAM swimmers out there as possible on Saturday.
This is one of our signature events — beautiful setting, great conditions, and a real highlight of the summer. The water will be over 70° and the air will be in the high 80s. Whether you sign up for the 1-mile or the 2-mile, you're going to have a great time.
One of my favorite things about Berryessa is watching this team come together to make it happen. The volunteer spirit, the competitive energy, all the behind-the-scenes hard work — it's one of those days where you really see what DAM is made of. It's a ton of fun, so come out and join us at the lake!
Don't miss it. Sign up tonight.
LAKE BERRYESSA OPEN WATER SWIM – DEADLINE TODAY!!
Are you one of those people who wait until the last minute to sign up for events? Well, you're in luck! This is officially the LAST DAY to sign up for the 2025 Lake Berryessa Swim! No more delaying, no more pondering, and no more doubting… Register HERE!
If you are on the fence about open water swimming, don't be. If you can swim a 1-hour workout, you can absolutely do this! Conditions are shaping up to be near-perfect. And you get to do it with over a hundred of your closest DAM friends. That is the very definition of a great day at the lake!
If you are absolutely stuck in Davis, we still need volunteers to help load the truck on Friday or help put Civic back to normal after the race on Saturday late afternoon. A Sign-Up Genius is available HERE for all volunteer spots. Contact Julia Waterson at Julia_Waterson@yahoo.com if you have questions related to volunteering.
Any other questions? Find Matt or Sean on deck, or email me at berryessa@damfast.org. Spoiler: we're going to tell you to live your best DAM life!
USMS SUMMER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
The 2026 USMS Summer National Championship is coming to Sacramento — August 5–9. That's basically our backyard. This is a rare chance to swim a national-level meet without a hotel stay, and we want to bring a big DAM crew.
Date: August 5–9, 2026
Location: Sacramento, CA
Start thinking about your events, and let's make some noise at Nationals.
Click HERE to register and for more information.
BRUTE SQUAD PARTY – THANK YOU!
Big thanks to everyone who came out to our Brute Squad Croissant Party last Saturday! We had a great little get-together to celebrate a big DAM accomplishment.
Special shoutout to Lynda Yancher for hosting the party — thank you, Lynda!
SUMMER SCHEDULE
Beginning the week of June 15, we move to our summer schedule. Here's what's changing:
Civic
Schaal Aquatic Center (UC Davis) — Long Course Training
Arroyo
More details to come as we get closer. Get ready for long course season!
ADULT LEARN TO SWIM
Only 11 participant spots remain for our Adult Learn-to-Swim program this summer — don't wait!
Program Dates: June 16 – July 9
Classes: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:15–7:00 PM
Location: Civic Pool
Click HERE to sign up — send this to someone who should do it!
Questions? Contact:
Rose Cholewinski — rose@swimamericadavis.com
Pat Quinn — prose.quinn@gmail.com
Diane Barrett — dianebarrett3@gmail.com
LANE ETIQUETTE – WORKING WITH YOUR LANE
When you're swimming in a lane with two or more people, it's important that you stick together as a group. A lane works best when everyone is on the same interval and getting the right amount of rest. It's not always perfect, and that's okay — that's part of being on a team.
If you're a little faster than your lane mates:
If you're a little slower than your lane mates:
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Add equipment (fins, paddles).
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Swim more freestyle if the set calls for stroke.
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Cut the corner to catch up — just watch out for your other lane mates.
With these tools in your back pocket, nobody gets left behind and the lane stays together. If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask the coach on deck.
SCHEDULE REMINDER
Just a reminder that we have no workouts or lap swim this Saturday, 6/6, because we will all be at Lake Berryessa having a great time. If you want to get a swim in that day, sign up for Berryessa and swim a mile or two. It'll be a great time and you'll get a great workout!
BYRON PHILLEO CELEBRATION OF LIFE
The DAM community is invited to celebrate the life of DAM swimmer Byron Philleo.
Date: Tuesday, June 23 at 11:00 AM
Location: First Baptist Church of Davis — 38141 Russell Blvd., Davis
Please join us in honoring Byron and supporting his family.
JULIE VERESS CELEBRATION OF LIFE
The DAM community is invited to celebrate the life of Julie Veress.
Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026
Time: Midday
Location: Ruhstaller, Dixon
The Veress family has long been a part of the Davis swimming community, and Julie will be dearly missed. We hope to see a strong DAM presence there to honor her memory and support the family.
SLIP FIN ORDER
Did you try out the new Slip Fins last week and want a pair of your own? You can pre-order them through Swim America Davis — just email Rose Cholewinski at rose@swimamericadavis.com. The first shipment is expected around June 8, and Rose will set yours aside when it arrives.
The fins retail at $65, but DAM members get a discount at Swim America, bringing your total to just $54! Reach out to her with any questions.
COMPETITIONS
2026 Distance Non-Free Virtual Challenge
2026 Lake Berryessa Open Water Swim
2026 Del Valle Open Water Festival
2026 Silver State Meet
2026 Pacific Masters LCM Championship Meet
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Date: July 17–19, 2026
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Location: Moraga, CA
2026 USMS LCM Championship Meet
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Date: August 5–9, 2026
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Location: Sacramento, CA
2026 Donner Lake Open Water Swim
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Date: August 8, 2026
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Location: Donner Lake
2026 Santa Cruz Open Water Weekend
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Date: August 15–16, 2026
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Location: Santa Cruz, CA
2026 Santa Rosa Masters Pentathlon
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Date: August 22, 2026
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Location: Santa Rosa, CA
WORKOUT ROTATION
Week of 6/1/26
Week of 6/8/26
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Monday – Kick/Pull
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Tuesday – IM
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Wednesday – Sprint
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Thursday – Distance
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Friday – Kick/Pull
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Saturday – Coach Choice
DAM BOARD MEETING
Our next board meeting will be held on 6/10/26 at 6:30 PM in the Brady Building.
