CEO/Head Coach Message

What a stretch we're in...

Our Adult Learn to Swim program just wrapped up (more on that awesome group of swimmers and volunteers below).

Right on its heels, USMS Summer Nationals is just a few weeks out in Sacramento. We've got a crew of 43 swimmers ready to have some fun and swim fast. If you're not racing, there's still room to get in on the action: sign up to volunteer or just come cheer. We could always use the extra support.

That's just the beginning—swing by our Yolo Berry fundraiser on July 29. Grab a sweet treat anytime from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM, and 20% of the proceeds come right back to DAM.

And don't forget about our very own short course meters meet at Schaal on September 12. I could not be more excited to host a meet right here in Davis.

Cool events, cold froyo, a big crew heading to Nationals—it's a good time to be part of this club. Let's keep the momentum rolling.

Adult Learn to Swim 2026 – What a Year!

Our Adult Learn to Swim (ALTS) program wrapped up last Thursday, and I couldn't be prouder of what this group pulled off.

The numbers tell part of the story:

• 34 adults learned to swim—our largest group ever.

• Our oldest swimmer was 84—WOW!

• 32 learned to roll onto their back (a life-saving skill).

• 7 passed the water competency test.

• 4 could hold their own in a Masters lane.

• 24 DAM volunteer coaches made it all happen!

But the numbers only go so far. Every single one of these adults conquered a real fear of the water—and they did it because of the patience, kindness, and encouragement of our coaches. The energy, the love, and the sheer fun of it was felt by everyone on deck.

To our volunteer coaches: thank you. This is one of the most meaningful things we do as a club, and you made it happen.

And a special thank you to our coordinators—Pat Quinn, Rose Cholewinski, and Diane Barrett—for the countless hours of planning and organizing behind the scenes and their work on the pool deck. This program doesn't run without you.

Yolo Berry Fundraiser – Wednesday, July 29

Treat yourself and support DAM at the same time! On Wednesday, July 29, head to Yolo Berry Yogurt for some frozen yogurt and mention DAM at checkout—we'll receive 20% of the proceeds.

When: Wednesday, July 29, 11:00 AM–11:00 PM (all day!)

How: Grab your yogurt, mention DAM at checkout, done.

Bring: DAM friends and family, non-DAM friends and family—everybody's welcome.

It's an easy, delicious way to give back. Support DAM and treat yourself!

New: Stroke Analysis Sessions

My new Stroke Analysis Sessions on Saturday, August 1 filled up fast—but a swimmer just had to cancel, which means one spot opened back up at 11:30 AM.

Here's what you get in your 30-minute session: I'll film your swimming above and below the water, then we'll sit down together right away to review the footage, talk through what's working, pinpoint your biggest opportunities, and build a personalized plan with drills you can take straight into your workouts.

These sessions are $99, and there's just one left. If you've been wanting video of your stroke, now's your chance.

Click HERE to sign up

Click HERE for more information

USMS Summer National Championships

Registration for Summer Nationals (August 5–9 in Sacramento) has closed, so if you didn't get signed up to swim, that ship has sailed. But this meet is happening in our backyard—and there's still a great way to be part of it.

Volunteers needed! If you are available to help with timing, hospitality, or other roles, we need you. Come help run this awesome meet.

Click HERE to sign up

Date: August 5–9, 2026

Location: Sacramento, CA

DAM SCM September Classic Meet

We're excited to host a short course meters meet on September 12 at Schaal.

This is a great chance to get some short course meters swims in while supporting the team—all proceeds go directly to the club.

Registration opens soon. We'll also need volunteers, so keep an eye out for a Sign-Up Genius to grab a job.

Thank you for your support.

Competitions

2026 Pacific Masters LCM Championship Meet

Date: July 12, 17–19, 2026

Location: Moraga, CA

Click HERE to register and for more information

2026 USMS LCM Championship Meet

Date: August 5–9, 2026

Location: Sacramento, CA

Click HERE to register and for more information

2026 Donner Lake Open Water Swim

Date: August 8, 2026

Location: Donner Lake

2026 Santa Cruz Open Water Weekend

Date: August 15–16, 2026

Location: Santa Cruz, CA

Click HERE to register and for more information

2026 Santa Rosa Masters Pentathlon

Date: August 22, 2026

Location: Santa Rosa, CA

2026 DAM SCM September Classic

Date: September 12, 2026

Location: Schaal Aquatic Center (Davis)

Workout Rotation

Week of 7/13/26

• Monday – IM

• Tuesday – SCY: Sprint | LCM: Mid Distance/Sprint

• Wednesday – Distance

• Thursday – SCY: Kick/Pull | LCM: Mid Distance

• Friday – IM

• Saturday – Coach Choice

Week of 7/20/26

• Monday – Sprint

• Tuesday – SCY: Distance | LCM: Distance

• Wednesday – Kick/Pull

• Thursday – SCY: IM | LCM: IM

• Friday – Sprint

• Saturday – Coach Choice

DAM Board Meeting

Our next board meeting will be held on August 4, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Brady Building.

CEO/Head Coach Message

Summer's in full swing and there's a lot to be excited about!

If you like to race, you've got options. Pacific Masters LCM Championships are here in July, USMS Summer Nationals hit Sacramento in August, and then the big one for us—our own short course meters meet at Schaal in September. That last one is our first SCM meet in a while, and I'd love to see DAM show up strong for a home meet.

If you want to treat yourself (while also supporting DAM)—on July 29 we're teaming up with Yolo Berry for a fundraiser that's about as easy (and tasty) as giving back gets. Don't miss out!

And if you want to see what your stroke actually looks like—or fine-tune before your next race—grab a spot in a video analysis session with Coach Matt on August 1. Details on all of this are below.

Whatever you're here for, there's a way to plug in. Let's make the most of it.

Pacific Masters LCM Champs

This is it—the last week to sign up for Pacific Masters LCM Championship. Whether you're chasing a best time, a new event, or just the thrill of racing in a fast pool, now's the time to jump in. Let's get a big DAM Strong crew out there!

Quick heads up: this year's Championships are split across two separate weekends due to a scheduling change at Soda Aquatic Center. Here's how it breaks down:

• Sunday, July 12 — Distance events only: 400 IM, 1500 Free, and 800 Free Relay (registration closed)

• Saturday–Sunday, July 18–19 — All remaining events (registration still open)

Don't wait—registration closes this weekend.

Click HERE to get signed up

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

Volunteers needed! If you are available to help with timing, hospitality, or other roles, we need you—come help run this awesome meet.

Click HERE to sign up.

DAM SCM September Classic Meet

We're excited to host a short course meters meet on September 12 at Schaal.

This is a great chance to get some short course meters swims in while supporting the team—all proceeds go directly to the club.

Registration opens soon. We'll also need volunteers, so keep an eye out for a Sign-Up Genius to grab a job.

Thank you for your support.

New: Stroke Analysis Sessions

A lot of swimmers have asked about getting video of their stroke, so I'm excited to pilot a new format that gives you video and real-time coaching feedback.

On Saturday, August 1, I'll be offering six 30-minute Stroke Analysis Sessions at Civic Pool. I'll film your swimming above and below the water, then immediately sit down together to review the video, talk through what's working, identify the biggest opportunities for improvement, and build a personalized plan with drills you can take straight into your workouts.

Since this is the first time I'm offering this format, I've priced these pilot sessions at $99. There are only six spots available, so if you're interested, you can register on the DAM website.

Click HERE to sign up (choose the time that works best for you).

Click HERE for more information.

Yolo Berry Fundraiser – Wednesday, July 29

Treat yourself and support DAM at the same time! On Wednesday, July 29, head to Yolo Berry Yogurt for some frozen yogurt and mention DAM at checkout—we'll receive 20% of the proceeds.

• When: Wednesday, July 29, 11:00 AM–11:00 PM (all day!)

• How: Grab your yogurt, mention DAM at checkout, done.

• Bring: DAM friends, family, non-DAM friends, family—everybody's welcome.

It's an easy, delicious way to give back. Support DAM and treat yourself!

Julie Veress Celebration of Life

The DAM community is invited to celebrate the life of Julie Veress.

• Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026

• Time: 11:00 AM

• 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.

Competitions

2026 Silver State Meet

• Date: June 28, 2026

• Location: Reno, NV

Click HERE to register and for more information

2026 Pacific Masters LCM Championship Meet

• Date: July 12, 18–19, 2026

• Location: Moraga, CA

Click HERE to register and for more information

2026 USMS LCM Championship Meet

• Date: August 5–9, 2026

• Location: Sacramento, CA

Click HERE to register and for more information

2026 Donner Lake Open Water Swim

• Date: August 8, 2026

• Location: Donner Lake

2026 Santa Cruz Open Water Weekend

• Date: August 15–16, 2026

• Location: Santa Cruz, CA

Click HERE to register and for more information

2026 Santa Rosa Masters Pentathlon

• Date: August 22, 2026

• Location: Santa Rosa, CA

2026 DAM SCM September Classic

• Date: September 12, 2026

• Location: Schaal Aquatic Center (Davis)

Workout Rotation

Week of 7/6/26

• Monday – Kick/Pull

• Tuesday – SCY: IM | LCM: IM

• Wednesday – Sprint

• Thursday – SCY: Distance | LCM: Mid Distance

• Friday – Kick/Pull

• Saturday – Coach Choice

Week of 7/13/26

• Monday – IM

• Tuesday – SCY: Sprint | LCM: Mid Distance/Sprint

• Wednesday – Distance

• Thursday – SCY: Kick/Pull | LCM: Mid Distance

• Friday – IM

• Saturday – Coach Choice

Grand Prix Opportunities

We have the following opportunities for Grand Prix points in the month of July:

• July 12: Pacific Masters LCM @ Soda Aquatic Center in Moraga, CA

• July 18–19: Pacific Masters LCM @ Soda Aquatic Center in Moraga, CA

• July 29: Yolo Berry Frozen Yogurt Fundraiser

DAM Board Meeting

Our next board meeting will be held on July 8, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Brady Building.

CEO/Head Coach Message

We've got a seriously fun stretch of summer ahead, and there's something for everyone—whether you're a racer, a first-timer, or just looking to sharpen up.

On the racing side, we've got three meets worth circling:

• Pacific Masters LCM Championships in July

• USMS Summer Nationals in Sacramento in August

• DAM Short Course Meters September Classic at Schaal in September

That last one is the first SCM meet we've hosted in a while, and I'd love to see DAM show up strong for a home meet!

Not a meet person? No problem. On July 29, we're teaming up with Yolo Berry for a fundraiser—easy, delicious, and a great way to support the club. More on that soon.

And if you want to get dialed in for these races (or you're just curious how your stroke looks on video), sign up for a Stroke Analysis Session with Coach Matt on August 1. More information and registration are below.

Lots to be excited about. Let's make the most of it!

This Week's Schedule

It's 4th of July week, but since the holiday falls on a Saturday, we'll be on our regular schedule all week, including Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Don't forget we're on our summer schedule through August 9. Our fall schedule begins the week of August 10, 2026.

Summer Schedule Reminders

• No 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM workouts at Civic

• Added 7:00 AM workout on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Arroyo

• Schaal workouts on Tuesdays and Thursdays:

  • 5:50 AM

  • 6:50 AM

  • 6:15 PM

• No Arroyo workouts on Tuesdays and Thursdays—please attend Schaal instead.

• No Tuesday or Thursday evening workout at Civic—please attend Schaal.

Join Our Membership Committee

We're forming a Membership Committee to grow our community and highlight what DAM offers—fitness, expert coaching, a welcoming team, competition, and more.

We're looking for 2–3 members to work with Matt on recruitment projects, including:

• Staffing a booth at the Davis Farmers Market

• Creating team and targeted flyers (such as for UC Davis students and staff)

• Building a new-member packet and buddy system

Interested?

Self-nominate by emailing admin@damfast.org.

Invitations will go out in July, and committee work begins in August.

Thank you for helping shape DAM's future!

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 needing a hotel stay, and we'd love 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!

Volunteers Needed

If you're available to help with timing, hospitality, or other volunteer roles, we'd love your help running this meet.

Pacific Masters LCM Championships

This year's Long Course Championships are split across two weekends because of scheduling at Soda Aquatic Center.

Sunday, July 12

Distance Events Only

• 400 IM

• 1500 Free

• 800 Free Relay

Saturday–Sunday, July 18–19

All remaining events.

DAM SCM September Classic Meet

We're excited to host a Short Course Meters meet on September 12 at Schaal.

This is a great opportunity to race SCM while supporting the club—all proceeds benefit DAM.

Registration opens soon.

We'll also need volunteers, so watch for a Sign-Up Genius where you can claim a job.

Thank you for your support!

New: Stroke Analysis Sessions

Many swimmers have asked about getting video of their stroke, so I'm excited to pilot a new format that combines underwater video with real-time coaching feedback.

On Saturday, August 1, I'll be offering six 30-minute Stroke Analysis Sessions at Civic Pool.

During your session, I will:

• Film your stroke above and below the water

• Review the video with you immediately afterward

• Identify what's working well

• Highlight your biggest opportunities for improvement

• Build a personalized drill plan you can immediately use in practice

Since this is the first time I'm offering this format, these pilot sessions are priced at $99.

Only six spots are available, so register soon if you're interested.

Lane Etiquette: Using the Pace Clock

The pace clock is your best friend in the water—but only if you use it.

Leave on a Good Number

Start your swim on a number ending in 0 or 5. Leaving on the top (:00) or bottom (:30) makes your interval much easier to track.

Stagger by Five Seconds

Each swimmer should leave five seconds behind the swimmer in front to maintain proper spacing.

Drop Down One Second Early

If your send-off is the :00, step onto the wall at :59 and push off exactly on the :00.

Check the Clock When You Finish

The clock tells you:

• Your swim time

• When to leave for your next repeat

If you don't know when you left, you won't know when to go again.

Keep Watching the Clock

Staying on the clock keeps your pace consistent, keeps practice moving, and keeps your lane organized.

If using the pace clock feels confusing, ask a lane mate or one of the coaches—we're always happy to help.

Check Us Out on TV

I tried embedding our TV spot directly into last week's newsletter...and it didn't work. That's what I get for trying to be technological.

So we'll keep it simple.

Click HERE to check out Coach Matt and DAM on Good Morning Sacramento.

Julie Veress Celebration of Life

The DAM community is invited to celebrate the life of Julie Veress.

Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026

Time: 11:00 AM

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 to honor her memory and support the family.

Competitions

2026 Distance Non-Free Virtual Challenge

• Date: May 1–June 30, 2026

• Location: Any SCY pool

2026 Silver State Meet

• Date: June 28, 2026

• Location: Reno, NV

2026 Pacific Masters LCM Championship Meet

• Date: July 12 & July 18–19, 2026

• Location: Moraga, CA

2026 USMS Summer National Championship

• Date: August 5–9, 2026

• Location: Sacramento, CA

2026 Donner Lake Open Water Swim

• Date: August 8, 2026

• Location: Donner Lake

2026 Santa Cruz Open Water Weekend

• Date: August 15–16, 2026

• Location: Santa Cruz, CA

2026 Santa Rosa Masters Pentathlon

• Date: August 22, 2026

• Location: Santa Rosa, CA

Workout Rotation

Week of June 29, 2026

• Monday – Distance

• Tuesday – SCY: Kick/Pull | LCM: Mid Distance

• Wednesday – IM

• Thursday – SCY: Sprint | LCM: Mid Distance

• Friday – Distance

• Saturday – Coach's Choice

Week of July 6, 2026

• Monday – Kick/Pull

• Tuesday – SCY: IM | LCM: IM

• Wednesday – Sprint

• Thursday – SCY: Distance | LCM: Mid Distance

• Friday – Kick/Pull

• Saturday – Coach's Choice

Grand Prix Opportunities

Earn Grand Prix points during July by participating in the following events:

• July 12: Pacific Masters LCM Championships – Moraga

• July 18–19: Pacific Masters LCM Championships – Moraga

• July 29: Yolo Berry Frozen Yogurt Fundraiser

DAM Board Meeting

Our next board meeting will be held:

Date: July 8, 2026

Time: 6:30 PM

Location: Brady Building

CEO/Head Coach Message

We've got two great racing opportunities on the horizon, and the deadlines are coming up fast.

First, the Pacific Masters LCM Championships in Moraga (July 12, 18–19). This is a perfect chance to sharpen up before Nationals or knock out any events you still want to swim.

Registration deadlines:

• July 1: Distance events

• July 8: All remaining events

Then there's the big one: USMS Summer Nationals in Sacramento. This is the closest Nationals has been to us in years—and probably the closest it will be anytime soon. I'd love to see a strong group of DAM swimmers representing us on home turf.

Registration deadline: Monday, July 13

You can sign up for both now—let's make the most of having this kind of racing right in our backyard.

Check Us Out on TV

Check out Coach Matt and DAM on Good Morning Sacramento talking about our club and our Adult Learn to Swim program!

This Week's Schedule

Don't forget we're on our summer schedule through August 9. The fall schedule begins the week of August 10, 2026.

Summer Schedule Reminders

• No 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM workouts at Civic

• Added 7:00 AM workout on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Arroyo

• Schaal workouts on Tuesdays and Thursdays at:

  • 5:50 AM

  • 6:50 AM

  • 6:15 PM

• No Arroyo workouts on Tuesdays and Thursdays—go to Schaal!

• No evening Civic workout on Tuesdays and Thursdays—go to Schaal!

Schaal Reminders

Now that we're in our summer schedule, we'll have long course workouts at Schaal.

Workout Times

• Tuesdays & Thursdays

  • 5:50 AM

  • 6:50 AM

  • 6:15 PM

Please Note

• No equipment at Schaal, so we'll save kicking and pulling sets for Civic and Arroyo.

• We'll focus on longer sets and less sprinting while we're swimming long course.

• Parking is paid—please use the kiosk or parking app.

• UC Davis no longer allows outside groups to use the locker room showers. Bathrooms are available for changing, but showers are not.

We Could Use Your Help!

Please consider helping with setup and cleanup.

Setup

• Before the 5:50 AM and 6:15 PM workouts

Cleanup

• After the 6:50 AM and 6:15 PM workouts

If you're able to lend a hand, we'd really appreciate it!

Join Our Membership Committee

We're forming a Membership Committee to grow our community and highlight what DAM offers: fitness, expert coaching, a welcoming team, competition, and more.

We're looking for 2–3 members to work with Matt on projects including:

• Staffing a booth at the Davis Farmers Market

• Creating team and targeted flyers (such as for UC Davis students and staff)

• Building a new-member packet and buddy system

Interested?

Self-nominate by emailing admin@damfast.org by June 30.

Invitations go out in July, and committee work begins in August.

Thank you for helping shape DAM's future!

USMS Summer National Championships

The 2026 USMS Summer National Championship is coming to Sacramento—August 5–9. This is a rare opportunity to swim a national-level meet without needing a hotel stay, and we'd love to bring a large DAM team.

Date: August 5–9, 2026

Location: Sacramento, CA

Start thinking about your events and let's make some noise at Nationals!

Volunteers Needed

If you're available to help with timing, hospitality, or other volunteer roles, we'd love your help running this meet.

Pacific Masters LCM Championships

This year's Long Course Championships are split across two weekends due to scheduling at Soda Aquatic Center.

Sunday, July 12

• Distance events only

  • 400 IM

  • 1500 Free

  • 800 Free Relay

Saturday–Sunday, July 18–19

• All remaining events

Lane Etiquette: Circle Swimming

Whenever there are more than two swimmers in a lane, we circle swim.

• Always stay on the right side of the lane.

• During the first 10 minutes of practice, everyone circle swims while swimmers continue arriving.

• After that, lanes may split or you may swim down the middle if you're alone—but always be prepared for someone to join.

When approaching the wall while circle swimming:

• Move to the left side (when it's safe) before your turn or finish.

• This allows you to push off safely without colliding with the swimmer behind you.

Passing

• Only pass at the wall.

• Never pass in the middle of the lane.

• If someone is on your feet at the wall, move aside and let them pass.

• If you're catching someone, wait until the wall and communicate before going ahead.

A few seconds of patience is much safer than forcing a pass mid-lane.

Byron Philleo Celebration of Life

The DAM community is invited to celebrate the life of DAM swimmer Byron Philleo.

Date: Tuesday, June 23

Time: 11:00 AM

Location: First Baptist Church of Davis
38141 Russell Blvd.
Davis, CA

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, CA

The Veress family has long been part of the Davis swimming community, and Julie will be dearly missed. We hope to see a strong DAM presence to honor her memory and support the family.

Competitions

2026 Distance Non-Free Virtual Challenge

• Date: May 1–June 30, 2026

• Location: Any SCY pool

2026 Silver State Meet

• Date: June 28, 2026

• Location: Reno, NV

2026 Pacific Masters LCM Championship Meet

• Date: July 12 & July 18–19, 2026

• Location: Moraga, CA

2026 USMS Summer National Championship

• Date: August 5–9, 2026

• Location: Sacramento, CA

2026 Donner Lake Open Water Swim

• Date: August 8, 2026

• Location: Donner Lake

2026 Santa Cruz Open Water Weekend

• Date: August 15–16, 2026

• Location: Santa Cruz, CA

2026 Santa Rosa Masters Pentathlon

• Date: August 22, 2026

• Location: Santa Rosa, CA

Workout Rotation

Week of June 22, 2026

• Monday – Sprint

• Tuesday – SCY: Distance | LCM: Distance

• Wednesday – Kick/Pull

• Thursday – SCY: IM | LCM: IM

• Friday – Sprint

• Saturday – Coach's Choice

Week of June 29, 2026

• Monday – Distance

• Tuesday – SCY: Kick/Pull | LCM: Mid Distance

• Wednesday – IM

• Thursday – SCY: Sprint | LCM: Mid Distance

• Friday – Distance

• Saturday – Coach's Choice

DAM Board Meeting

Our next board meeting will be held:

Date: July 8, 2026

Time: 6:30 PM

Location: Brady Building

If you're pasting this into Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or another email platform, I can also format it with email-friendly headings, spacing, and buttons for a cleaner newsletter layout.

CEO/Head Coach Message

Thank you for rolling with all the schedule changes this week. Scroll down for the full breakdown of times and locations for the rest of the week, and we'll keep you posted on what next week looks like (or if anything else changes).

On the bright side... maybe this is the universe telling you it's time to start some long course training. Starting today, we'll be at Schaal on Tuesdays and Thursdays (5:50 AM, 6:50 AM, and 6:15 PM) — it's a beautiful pool and a really nice change of scenery from our usual spot. If you've never swum long course, give it a try.

And speaking of long course... USMS LCM Nationals is right down the street in Sacramento at the beginning of August. Maybe this is also your sign to give it a shot. If you've ever thought about racing at Nationals, this is about as convenient as it gets — close to home, great competition, and a great end-of-season goal to keep you going throughout the summer.

This Week's Schedule

Please see the schedule below. I will keep you updated if anything changes.

Tuesday

Schaal

• 5:50 AM

• 6:50 AM

• 6:15 PM

Arroyo

• 6:00 AM (8 lanes)

• 7:00 AM (8 lanes)

• 11:00 AM (4 lanes)

• 1:00 PM (4 lanes)

Wednesday

Arroyo

• 6:00 AM (8 lanes)

• 7:00 AM (8 lanes)

• 11:00 AM (4 lanes)

• 1:00 PM (4 lanes)

• 6:00 PM (8 lanes)

Thursday

Schaal

• 5:50 AM

• 6:50 AM

• 6:15 PM

Arroyo

• 6:00 AM (8 lanes)

• 7:00 AM (8 lanes)

• 11:00 AM (4 lanes)

• 1:00 PM (4 lanes)

Friday

Arroyo

• 6:00 AM (8 lanes)

• 7:00 AM (8 lanes)

• 11:00 AM (4 lanes)

• 1:00 PM (4 lanes)

• 6:00 PM (8 lanes)

Saturday / Sunday

TBA

When entering Arroyo, please let the city staff know you are a DAM swimmer. Also, if there are other groups using the pool, we ask that you please lock your bike up outside the pool gates.

Thank you for your flexibility and patience as we work through this.

Schaal Reminders

Starting today, we're back at Schaal (UC Davis) for long course swimming. A few things to know before you head over:

• Workout times: Tuesdays & Thursdays at 5:50 AM, 6:50 AM, and 6:15 PM

• No equipment at Schaal — so we won't be doing kicking/pulling sets there. We'll save those for short course at Civic/Arroyo.

• Longer sets, less sprinting — at least to start, we'll save the sprint work for short course and focus on longer sets at Schaal.

• Parking is paid — use the kiosk or the parking app to pay.

We Could Use Your Help!

• Before the 5:50 AM and 6:15 PM workouts — help setting up the pool

• After the 6:50 AM and 6:15 PM workouts — help cleaning up

If you're able to lend a hand, we'd really appreciate it!

Join Our Membership Committee

We're forming a Membership Committee to grow our community and highlight what DAM offers — fitness, expert coaching, a welcoming team, competition, and more.

We're looking for 2–3 members to work with Matt on specific recruitment projects, including:

• Staffing a booth at the Davis Farmers Market

• Creating team and targeted flyers (e.g., UC Davis students and staff)

• Building a new-member packet and buddy system

Interested? Self-nominate by emailing admin@damfast.org by June 30.

Invitations go out in July; work begins in August.

Thank you for helping shape DAM's future!

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.

Volunteers Needed!

If you are available to help with timing, hospitality, or other roles, we need you. Come help run this awesome meet.

Click HERE to sign up.

Pacific Masters LCM Champs

This year's LCM Championships are split across two separate weekends due to a scheduling change at Soda Aquatic Center. Here's how it breaks down:

• Sunday, July 12 — Distance events only: 400 IM, 1500 Free, and 800 Free Relay

• Saturday–Sunday, July 18–19 — All remaining events

Lane Etiquette – Resting and Finishing

Knowing where to rest at the wall helps keep your lane running smoothly and safely. If you're stopping for a break, move to the right-hand corner of the lane (when facing the whiteboard). This signals to your lane mates that you're resting and leaves room for swimmers who are still moving.

When finishing a repeat, doing a turn, or pushing off for the next swim, use the left side of the lane. No matter where you finish in the order, always leave space for your lane mates to complete their swims and do their turns.

A little awareness at the wall goes a long way toward making circle swimming work for everyone.

Byron Philleo Celebration of Life

The DAM community is invited to celebrate the life of DAM swimmer Byron Philleo.

Date: Tuesday, June 23
Time: 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 by emailing 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 for $65, but DAM members receive a discount at Swim America, bringing your total to just $54.

Reach out to Rose with any questions!

Competitions

2026 Distance Non-Free Virtual Challenge

Date: May 1 – June 30, 2026
Location: Any SCY pool
Click HERE for more information

2026 Del Valle Open Water Festival

Date: June 20–21, 2026
Location: Livermore, CA
Click HERE to register and for more information

2026 Silver State Meet

Date: June 28, 2026
Location: Reno, NV
Click HERE to register and for more information

2026 Pacific Masters LCM Championship Meet

Date: July 12, 17–19, 2026
Location: Moraga, CA
Click HERE to register and for more information

2026 USMS LCM Championship Meet

Date: August 5–9, 2026
Location: Sacramento, CA
Click HERE to register and for more information

2026 Donner Lake Open Water Swim

Date: August 8, 2026
Location: Donner Lake

2026 Santa Cruz Open Water Weekend

Date: August 15–16, 2026
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Click HERE to register and for more information

2026 Santa Rosa Masters Pentathlon

Date: August 22, 2026
Location: Santa Rosa, CA

Workout Rotation

Week of 6/15/26

• Monday – IM

• Tuesday – SCY Sprint / LCM Aerobic Set

• Wednesday – Distance

• Thursday – SCY Kick/Pull / LCM Aerobic Set

• Friday – IM

• Saturday – Coach Choice

Week of 6/22/26

• Monday – Sprint

• Tuesday – SCY Distance / LCM Distance

• Wednesday – Kick/Pull

• Thursday – SCY IM / LCM IM

• Friday – Sprint

• Saturday – Coach Choice

DAM Board Meeting

Our next board meeting will be held on July 8, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Brady Building.

CEO/Head Coach Message

What a weekend.

550 swimmers, beautiful water, and the kind of energy that reminds you why we do this. The Lake Berryessa Open Water Swim was a success by every measure — and that doesn't happen without this community showing up in a big way.

To everyone who swam: thank you. To everyone who volunteered: thank you. And a very special thank you to Kevin Waterson, who served as the Race Director this year and put in an enormous amount of work to make it all happen. Events like this don't run themselves, and Kevin's leadership made all the difference.

Now — eyes forward. USMS Summer Nationals is coming up August 5–9 right down the street in Sacramento. This is a rare opportunity to race at a national championship meet without getting on a plane. We'd love to see a big DAM crew there. More details below.

Summer Schedule

Beginning next week (the week of June 15), we move to our summer schedule. Here's what's changing:

Monday / Wednesday / Friday

Civic

• 6:00 AM

• 7:00 AM

• 10:00 AM

• 11:00 AM

• 12:00 PM

• 1:00 PM

• 6:15 PM

Arroyo

• 6:00 AM

• 7:00 AM

Tuesday / Thursday

Civic

• 6:00 AM

• 7:00 AM

• 10:00 AM

• 11:00 AM

• 12:00 PM

• 1:00 PM

• 6:15 PM

Schaal

• 5:50 AM

• 6:50 AM

• 6:25 PM

Saturday

Civic (workouts)

• 7:00 AM

• 8:00 AM

Civic (lap swim)

• 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Sunday

Civic (lap swim)

• 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Reminder: If you are able to get to Schaal early (before the 5:50 AM or 6:15 PM workouts), we could use your help getting the pool set up. The more people we have, the faster it goes.

Another reminder: We could also use your help cleaning up after the 6:50 AM workout and 6:15 PM workout. Thanks for all the support!

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.

Pacific Masters LCM Champs

This year's LCM Championships are split across two separate weekends due to a scheduling change at Soda Aquatic Center. Here's how it breaks down:

• Sunday, July 12 — Distance events only: 400 IM, 1500 Free, and 800 Free Relay

• Saturday–Sunday, July 18–19 — All remaining events

Lane Etiquette – How to Be a Good Lane-Mate

One of the things that makes DAM special is how welcoming this community is, and that starts before the first set.

When you get in the water, say hi. If you don't know the people in your lane, introduce yourself. It takes five seconds and it goes a long way.

If you've got a new face in your lane, take a minute to help them get oriented. This is important for all new swimmers, even those who are new to DAM but not new to swimming, because no two teams do things the same way. I've swum and coached all over the country and I can tell you: the terminology is different, the drills have different names, and the way lanes flow varies from team to team. Someone who's been swimming Masters for years might still need a quick rundown on how we do things here. That's not a knock on them — it's just how it works.

A quick "here's how we do our intervals" or "you rest on this side of the lane" can be the difference between someone feeling at home and someone feeling lost. Let's make sure nobody feels lost.

That's how we keep DAM the kind of team people never want to leave.

Byron Philleo Celebration of Life

The DAM community is invited to celebrate the life of DAM swimmer Byron Philleo.

Date: Tuesday, June 23
Time: 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 by emailing 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 for $65, but DAM members receive a discount through Swim America Davis, bringing the total to just $54. Reach out to Rose with any questions.

Competitions

2026 Distance Non-Free Virtual Challenge

Date: May 1 – June 30, 2026
Location: Any SCY pool
Click HERE for more information

2026 Del Valle Open Water Festival

Date: June 20–21, 2026
Location: Livermore, CA
Click HERE to register and for more information

2026 Silver State Meet

Date: June 28, 2026
Location: Reno, NV
Click HERE to register and for more information

2026 Pacific Masters LCM Championship Meet

Date: July 17–19, 2026
Location: Moraga, CA

2026 USMS LCM Championship Meet

Date: August 5–9, 2026
Location: Sacramento, CA

2026 Donner Lake Open Water Swim

Date: August 8, 2026
Location: Donner Lake

2026 Santa Cruz Open Water Weekend

Date: August 15–16, 2026
Location: Santa Cruz, CA

2026 Santa Rosa Masters Pentathlon

Date: August 22, 2026
Location: Santa Rosa, CA

Workout Rotation

Week of 6/8/26

• Monday – Kick/Pull

• Tuesday – IM

• Wednesday – Sprint

• Thursday – Distance

• Friday – Kick/Pull

• Saturday – Coach Choice

Week of 6/15/26

• Monday – IM

• Tuesday – SCY Sprint / LCM Aerobic Set

• Wednesday – Distance

• Thursday – SCY Kick/Pull / LCM Aerobic Set

• Friday – IM

• Saturday – Coach Choice

DAM Board Meeting

Our next board meeting will be held on June 10, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Brady Building.

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

• The 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM workouts are removed from the schedule.

Schaal Aquatic Center (UC Davis) — Long Course Training

• Tuesdays & Thursdays: 5:50 AM, 6:50 AM, and 6:15 PM

Arroyo

• Monday–Friday: 6:00 AM

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 7:00 AM

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:

• Mix in some stroke.

• Take a little extra rest before pushing off.

If you're a little slower than your lane mates:

• Add equipment (fins, paddles).

• Swim more freestyle if the set calls for stroke.

• 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

• Date: May 1 – June 30, 2026

• Location: Any SCY pool

• Click HERE for more information

2026 Lake Berryessa Open Water Swim

• Date: June 6, 2026

• Location: Steele Canyon Campground

• Click HERE to register and for more information

2026 Del Valle Open Water Festival

• Date: June 20–21, 2026

• Location: Livermore, CA

• Click HERE to register and for more information

2026 Silver State Meet

• Date: June 28, 2026

• Location: Reno, NV

• Click HERE to register and for more information

2026 Pacific Masters LCM Championship Meet

• Date: July 17–19, 2026

• Location: Moraga, CA

2026 USMS LCM Championship Meet

• Date: August 5–9, 2026

• Location: Sacramento, CA

2026 Donner Lake Open Water Swim

• Date: August 8, 2026

• Location: Donner Lake

2026 Santa Cruz Open Water Weekend

• Date: August 15–16, 2026

• Location: Santa Cruz, CA

2026 Santa Rosa Masters Pentathlon

• Date: August 22, 2026

• Location: Santa Rosa, CA

WORKOUT ROTATION

Week of 6/1/26

• Monday – Distance

• Tuesday – Kick/Pull

• Wednesday – IM

• Thursday – Sprint

• Friday – Distance

• Saturday – No Workouts or Lap Swim – BERRYESSA!

Week of 6/8/26

• Monday – Kick/Pull

• Tuesday – IM

• Wednesday – Sprint

• Thursday – Distance

• Friday – Kick/Pull

• 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.

CEO/Head Coach Message

It's such a fun time of year to be a DAM swimmer.

After an incredible Big Day of Giving, now we get to shift gears and do some awesome things together.

First up is Berryessa. This is one of my favorite events of the year, and it's a chance to challenge yourself and support the team at the same time. Registration closes June 2nd. You can sign up for the 1-mile, the 2-mile, or both. If swimming isn't your thing, we still need volunteers in some key roles—don't sit this one out. Details below.

After Berryessa, we have our Adult Learn-to-Swim program—one of the most meaningful things we do as a club. Eight lessons for $50. If you know someone who needs to learn how to swim, send them our way. Registration is live on the DAM website.

And don't think I forgot about the Brute Squad party—this Saturday at 10:30 AM in the Brady Building. Coffee, croissants, and your caps. If you completed any version of the Brute Squad—or if you supported someone by counting laps or timing—you're invited. Please RSVP so we know how many croissants to grab. Details below.

Lots to look forward to—it's going to be another awesome summer!

Lake Berryessa Open Water Swim

Are you one of those people who waits until the last minute to sign up for things? This is your moment—registration closes one week from today. No more deliberating. Click HERE to register!

Still on the fence about open water swimming? Here's the thing: if you can swim a one-hour workout, you can absolutely do this. Conditions are shaping up to be near-perfect, and you'll be out there with over a hundred of your closest DAM friends. It's a good time.

Can't swim it? Come be part of the crew. We still need volunteers for parking, awards, water safety, and site clean-up—and there's even free camping Friday night if you want to make a weekend of it. If you can't make it up to the lake, we also need help unloading and getting Civic back to normal Saturday afternoon after the event. Click HERE to sign up for a volunteer shift.

Questions about volunteering? Reach out to Julia Waterson at julia_waterson@yahoo.com.

Any other questions? Find Matt or Sean on deck, or email berryessa@damfast.org.

Brute Squad Party – Coffee, Croissants and Caps!

Celebrate your 2025 Brute Squad achievement! If you completed Brute Squad or supported a swimmer, you're invited.

Where: Brady Building (Civic)
When: Saturday, May 30, 10:30–11:30 AM
Don't Miss: Group photo at 11:00 AM
RSVP: Click HERE to RSVP!

All swimmers receive their Brute Squad Survivor Cap. Come celebrate and connect with fellow Brutes.

Adult Learn to Swim

Our Adult Learn-to-Swim (ALTS) program returns this summer. Registration is open and we are looking for participants. If you know anyone who can benefit from this program, let them know!

Program Dates: June 16 – July 9
Price: $50 for all 8 lessons
Classes: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:15–7:00 PM at Civic Pool
Registration: Click HERE to sign up

Questions?

Rose Cholewinski — rose@swimamericadavis.com

Pat Quinn — prose.quinn@gmail.com

Diane Barrett — dianebarrett3@gmail.com

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 8th, and Rose will set yours aside when it arrives. The fins retail at $65, but DAM members receive a discount through Swim America Davis, bringing the total to just $54.

Reach out to Rose with any questions.

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.

Competitions

2026 Distance Non-Free Virtual Challenge

• Date: May 1 – June 30, 2026

• Location: Any SCY pool

• More Information: Click HERE

BAC LCM Meet

• Date: May 31, 2026

• Location: Burlingame

• More Information: Click HERE

2026 Lake Berryessa Open Water Swim

• Date: June 6, 2026

• Location: Steele Canyon Campground

• Registration & Information: Click HERE

2026 Del Valle Open Water Festival

• Date: June 20–21, 2026

• Location: Livermore, CA

• Registration & Information: Click HERE

2026 Silver State Meet

• Date: June 28, 2026

• Location: Reno, NV

• Registration & Information: Click HERE

2026 Pacific Masters LCM Championship Meet

• Date: July 17–19, 2026

• Location: Moraga, CA

2026 USMS LCM Championship Meet

• Date: August 5–9, 2026

• Location: Sacramento, CA

2026 Donner Lake Open Water Swim

• Date: August 8, 2026

• Location: Donner Lake

2026 Santa Cruz Open Water Weekend

• Date: August 15–16, 2026

• Location: Santa Cruz, CA

2026 Santa Rosa Masters Pentathlon

• Date: August 22, 2026

• Location: Santa Rosa, CA

Workout Rotation

Week of 5/25/26

• Monday – MEMORIAL DAY – Holiday Sprint Day

• Tuesday – Distance

• Wednesday – Kick/Pull

• Thursday – IM

• Friday – Sprint

• Saturday – Coach Choice

Week of 6/1/26

• Monday – Distance

• Tuesday – Kick/Pull

• Wednesday – IM

• Thursday – Sprint

• Friday – Distance

• Saturday – Coach Choice

DAM Board Meeting

Our next board meeting will be held on June 10, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Brady Building.

CEO/Head Coach Message

June 6 is right around the corner, and Lake Berryessa is one of those events that reminds you why DAM is special. We host one of the longest-running open water swims in the country — right in our backyard — and it only happens because our members make it happen.

If you've never done it, this is the year. There's nothing quite like racing in that setting, and the energy on race day is something you have to experience. If open water isn't your thing, we still need you. Volunteers are the backbone of this event — from loading the truck the day before, to setup, to tear down (and everything in between) — every shift matters.

Swim it. Volunteer for it. Do both. Details are below — let's make this the best Berryessa yet.

Big Day of Giving – Raffle Prizes

Thank you again to everyone who participated in this year's Big Day of Giving.

If you won a raffle prize, please pick it up at the office at Civic. If you don't want your prize, no problem — just let us know and we'll include it in an upcoming re-raffle. Stay tuned for details on that soon.

Questions or donations:
fundraising@damfast.org

Lake Berryessa Open Water Swim

Less than three weeks to go — June 6 at Steele Canyon is coming up fast!

If you haven't registered yet, click HERE to sign up. Not sure if you're ready? If you can get through a one-hour workout, you can finish the 1-mile swim. Beautiful lake, calm water, and perfect pre-summer California weather — it's a great day out.

We also need volunteers to make this event happen:

• Parking – help guide athletes and spectators on race day

• Water Safety – critical role keeping swimmers safe on the course

• Can't make it to the lake? – consider helping load the truck on Friday

This event runs because of our community. However you can help, we appreciate you.

Click HERE to sign up to volunteer.

Brute Squad Party – Coffee, Croissants and Caps!

Celebrate your 2025 Brute Squad achievement! If you completed Brute Squad or supported a swimmer, you're invited.

• Where: Brady Building (Civic)

• When: Saturday, May 30, 10:30–11:30 AM

• Don't miss: Group photo at 11:00 AM

• RSVP: Click HERE to RSVP!!

All swimmers receive their Brute Squad Survivor Cap. Come celebrate and connect with fellow Brutes.

Adult Learn to Swim

Our Adult Learn-to-Swim (ALTS) program returns this summer. Registration is open and we are looking for participants. If you know anyone who can benefit from this program, let them know!

• Program Dates: June 16 – July 9

• Classes: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:15–7:00 PM at Civic Pool

• Registration: Click HERE to sign up

Questions? Contact:

• Rose Cholewinski — rose@swimamericadavis.com

• Pat Quinn — prose.quinn@gmail.com

• Diane Barrett — dianebarrett3@gmail.com

Schedule Change

In observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, we will run a holiday schedule:

• Workouts at Civic only: 6:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, and 10:00 AM

• No other workouts that day

Stroke Clinic with Cullen Jones

The USA Swimming Foundation is teaming up with Sacramento Masters Swimming to host a special clinic with Olympic gold medalist Cullen Jones!

Cullen will lead the group through freestyle technique and drills before sharing his story with swimmers after the session.

This should be a fun and inspiring event for swimmers of all levels. Proceeds support the USA Swimming Foundation’s mission of Saving Lives, Building Champions, and Impacting Communities.

Click HERE to sign up!

Arroyo Update

Good news — Arroyo is OPEN! We're glad to have it up and running again and appreciate everyone's patience through the repairs.

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.

TYR Pro Series

DART is hosting the TYR Pro Series this weekend (May 20–23).

Come out to North Natomas Aquatic Complex to watch Jack Alexy, Torri Huske, Ryan Murphy, Phoebe Bacon, Michael Andrew, and more!

Buy tickets at SACRAMENTO TYR PRO SERIES.

If you have any questions, email Jamie Kiarie at jamie.kiarie@dartswimming.com.

Competitions

2026 Distance Non-Free Virtual Challenge

• Date: May 1 – June 30, 2026

• Location: Any SCY pool

• Click HERE for more information

BAC LCM Meet

• Date: May 31, 2026

• Location: Burlingame

• Click HERE for more information

2026 Lake Berryessa Open Water Swim

• Date: June 6, 2026

• Location: Steele Canyon Campground

• Click HERE to register and for more information

2026 Del Valle Open Water Festival

• Date: June 20–21, 2026

• Location: Livermore, CA

2026 Silver State Meet

• Date: June 28, 2026

• Location: Reno, NV

2026 Pacific Masters LCM Championship Meet

• Date: July 17–19, 2026

• Location: Moraga, CA

2026 USMS LCM Championship Meet

• Date: August 5–9, 2026

• Location: Sacramento, CA

2026 Donner Lake Open Water Swim

• Date: August 8, 2026

• Location: Donner Lake

2026 Santa Cruz Open Water Weekend

• Date: August 15–16, 2026

• Location: Santa Cruz, CA

2026 Santa Rosa Masters Pentathlon

• Date: August 22, 2026

• Location: Santa Rosa, CA

Workout Rotation

Week of 5/18/26

• Monday – Sprint

• Tuesday – Distance

• Wednesday – Kick/Pull

• Thursday – IM

• Friday – Sprint

• Saturday – Coach Choice

Week of 5/25/26

• Monday – MEMORIAL DAY – Holiday Sprint Day

• Tuesday – Distance

• Wednesday – Kick/Pull

• Thursday – IM

• Friday – Sprint

• 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.

CEO/Head Coach Message

What a week. The Big Day of Giving is officially in the books, and I am beyond proud of this community — we raised over $35,000. That is an incredible achievement, and it only happens because of the people in this club. Thank you.

Now it's time to turn the page. The Lake Berryessa Open Water Swim is coming up on June 6, and this is where we need your energy next. Whether you want to swim it, volunteer, or both — we need you.

Berryessa is one of the longest-running open water swims in the country and one of our signature events. It does not happen without this community showing up. More details below.

Big Day of Giving – Raffle Prizes

Winners from the Big Day of Giving raffle will be notified this week. Keep an eye out.

If you don't want your prize for any reason, just let us know and we will redraw for another member.

Questions or donations: fundraising@damfast.org

Lake Berryessa Open Water Swim

The annual Lake Berryessa Swim returns to Steele Canyon on June 6, 2026.

How You Can Help

• Swim it — Registration is open

• Volunteer — We need help with:

  • Setup

  • Check-in

  • First aid

  • Water safety

  • Truck loading/unloading

  • Parking

  • Course setup (Friday night at the lake)

• Area Coordinators Needed

  • First Aid

  • Finish Line & Awards

  • Friday truck loading at Civic

  Contact Kevin Waterson at berryessa@damfast.org

• Can't make it to the lake?

  • Help load/unload at Civic on Friday before or Saturday after the event

• Sponsor the Event

  • Promote your business or get your name on event merchandise

  • Contact Kevin at berryessa@damfast.org

• Merchandise

  • Grab your 2026 Berryessa gear

However you help, we appreciate you.

Adult Learn-to-Swim

Our Adult Learn-to-Swim (ALTS) program returns this summer. Registration is open and we are looking for participants.

If you know anyone who can benefit from this program, let them know!

Program Information

• Program Dates: June 16 – July 9

• Classes: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:15–7:00 PM

• Location: Civic Pool

Questions?

• Rose Cholewinski — rose@swimamericadavis.com

• Pat Quinn — prose.quinn@gmail.com

• Diane Barrett — dianebarrett3@gmail.com

Brute Squad Party – Coffee, Croissants, and Caps!

Celebrate your 2025 Brute Squad achievement!

If you completed Brute Squad or supported a swimmer, you're invited.

Event Details

• Where: Brady Building (Civic)

• When: Saturday, May 30, 10:30–11:30 AM

• Don’t Miss: Group photo at 11:00 AM

All swimmers receive their Brute Squad Survivor Cap. Come celebrate and connect with fellow Brutes.

Schedule Change

In observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, we will run a holiday schedule:

• Workouts at Civic only:

  • 6:00 AM

  • 7:00 AM

  • 8:00 AM

  • 9:00 AM

  • 10:00 AM

• No other workouts that day

Arroyo Update

The city informed us that work on Arroyo should finish on Friday, May 15.

Facilities staff will need some time to get the pool back up to the proper temperature, but we should be back at Arroyo sometime next week.

Julie Veress Celebration of Life

The DAM community is invited to celebrate the life of Julie Veress.

Details

• 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.

TYR Pro Series – Volunteers Needed!

DART is still looking for volunteers to chaperone athletes selected for drug testing during finals.

Volunteer Needs

• Male volunteers: May 20, 21, and 23

• Female volunteers: May 23

Volunteers must be able to get to the pool by 4:00 PM on their assigned day.

Once you fill out the form, more information will be emailed to you.

If you are unavailable at those times but are still interested in volunteering, email Jamie Kiarie.

Volunteers receive a free finals ticket.

Come out to North Natomas Aquatic Complex to watch:

• Jack Alexy

• Torri Huske

• Ryan Murphy

• Phoebe Bacon

• Michael Andrew

• And more!

Questions?
Email Jamie Kiarie at jamie.kiarie@dartswimming.com

Competitions

2026 Distance Non-Free Virtual Challenge

• Date: May 1 – June 30, 2026

• Location: Any SCY pool

BAC LCM Meet

• Date: May 31, 2026

• Location: Burlingame

2026 Lake Berryessa Open Water Swim

• Date: June 6, 2026

• Location: Steele Canyon Campground

2026 Del Valle Open Water Festival

• Date: June 20–21, 2026

• Location: Livermore, CA

2026 Silver State Meet

• Date: June 28, 2026

• Location: Reno, NV

2026 Pacific Masters LCM Championship Meet

• Date: July 17–19, 2026

• Location: Moraga, CA

2026 USMS LCM Championship Meet

• Date: August 5–9, 2026

• Location: Sacramento, CA

2026 Donner Lake Open Water Swim

• Date: August 8, 2026

• Location: Donner Lake

2026 Santa Cruz Open Water Weekend

• Date: August 15–16, 2026

• Location: Santa Cruz, CA

2026 Santa Rosa Masters Pentathlon

• Date: August 22, 2026

• Location: Santa Rosa, CA

Workout Rotation

Week of 5/11/26

• Monday – IM

• Tuesday – Sprint

• Wednesday – Distance

• Thursday – Kick/Pull

• Friday – IM

• Saturday – Coach Choice

Week of 5/18/26

• 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 May 13 at 6:30 PM in the Brady Building.