LOOKING AHEAD

DAM Gears Up for Fall Picnic, October Buildup to Brute Squad

Davis, Calif. — DAM is heading into a busy fall stretch, starting with the club's Fall Picnic at Arroyo Park on Saturday, October 10th. Club leadership is framing the gathering as a chance for members to connect beyond the pool deck. "It's a great chance to get to know the people in the lane next to you and meet their families," the club's Head Coach and CEO said in this week's message.

From there, attention turns to the 18th Annual Ross Yancher Brute Squad, which opens November 1st. The club will use October to build toward the event, with workouts gradually lengthening in preparation. "Let's be DAM Strong," the club said, previewing a fall built around both community and hard work.

SAVE THE DATE

DAM Fall Picnic Set for October 10 at Arroyo Park

DAM families are invited to gather Saturday, October 10th, starting at 4:30 p.m., in the new picnic area near the pool at Arroyo Park. Members are asked to bring their own dinner and drinks along with a snack or dessert to share, and lawn games — cornhole, ladder toss, and lawn darts among them — are welcome additions to the evening. Family and friends are welcome to attend.

CLUB GOVERNANCE

Board Seeks Nominations for Four Open Director Seats

The DAM Board of Directors is accepting nominations to fill four seats for the 2027–2028 term. Directors serve two-year terms overseeing club bylaws, budget, and policy, with commitments rising during fundraisers, the Lake Berryessa Open Water Swim, and meets hosted by DAM. All nominees must be DAM members in good standing.

Members may nominate themselves or a teammate — nominators putting forward a teammate should confirm that person's willingness to serve first. Statements of interest (200 words) and a photo are due October 2nd, 2026, and should be sent to Board Member Kent Anderson at kentaanderson@gmail.com.

CELEBRATE OUR COACHES

Coach Appreciation Week Runs October 5–11

DAM will honor its coaching staff during Coach Appreciation Week, October 5 through 11. Gifts are welcome but not required — club leadership notes that a word on deck or a quick thank-you note means just as much to coaches who put in the hours to help swimmers improve.

COMING THIS FALL

18th Annual Brute Squad Returns November 1–30

The Ross Yancher Brute Squad kicks off November 1st and runs through the end of the month. DAM will spend October building toward the event with longer IM and freestyle work, and workouts will gradually increase over the coming weeks. Full event details are still to come, with the club aiming to make this year's Brute Squad its biggest yet.

CLUB CULTURE

New Guidance on Lane Etiquette for Workout Handoffs

DAM has issued a reminder on lane etiquette to keep workout transitions smooth and swimmers safe. Members staying on for the next session become part of that workout and should swim its 10-minute warm-up with the group rather than lingering at the wall, while staying alert to swimmers entering the lane and confirming they're in the correct lane if assignments shifted.

Swimmers arriving late are asked to check with the coach on deck before entering the water, wait for the current swim to finish before joining, alert their lane mates, and fall into the lane's existing plan rather than starting their own.

LOCAL PARTNER

Members Save 10% on Gear at Swim America Davis

DAM is encouraging members to shop local for goggles, caps, and fins at Swim America Davis, located at 2121 2nd Street, Suite A101. The shop stocks the same equipment used at DAM workouts, and DAM members receive 10% off equipment purchases, with additional holiday discounts expected later in the year.

GRAND PRIX

Three Ways to Score Points Through Early October

DAM's Grand Prix offers several chances to earn points in the weeks ahead: the 30-days-of-September challenge — 30 minutes of swimming a day through the end of the month (a late start is fine); the Pacific Masters SCM Championships in Walnut Creek, October 2–4; and the DAM Fall Picnic at Arroyo Park on October 10th.

UPCOMING COMPETITION

2026 PMS SCM Championship — October 2–4, Heather Farm Park, Walnut Creek

Registration and details are available through DAM's weekly email.

ON DECK

Workout Rotation: Weeks of September 28 and October 5

Week of 9/28: Monday – Kick/Pull · Tuesday – IM · Wednesday – Sprint · Thursday – Distance · Friday – Kick/Pull · Saturday – Coach Choice

Week of 10/5: Monday – IM · Tuesday – Sprint · Wednesday – Distance · Thursday – Kick/Pull · Friday – IM · Saturday – Coach Choice

CLUB CALENDAR

Next Board Meeting: October 14 at the Brady Building

The DAM Board of Directors will meet Wednesday, October 14th, at 6:30 p.m. in the Brady Building.