The Monday Message

November 21, 2022

Head Coach's Message 

   Hello DAM! Hope everyone is doing great as we move toward the holiday season. We have a lot going on right now so I wanted to give you a couple quick updates. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me…

Staff Updates

Coach Michelle has made the decision to step away from her coaching duties at DAM. While she won't be on deck coaching, she will continue to be a member of DAM as an athlete. I would like to extend a big thank you to Michelle for all her work with DAM. Michelle was one of several DAM members who got out of the pool and onto the pool deck to help DAM when we operated without a head coach prior to my taking the job. I have truly enjoyed working with Michelle over the last few months and I wish her all the best!

Brute Squad Update

• The Brute Squad is going great so far! We’ve had many people complete their Brutes over the last couple of weeks including DAM’s oldest Brute, Mark Braly, who, at 87 years young, completed his Brute Lite last Friday! Remember, after you finish your Brute Squad, make it official by registering here: 2022 Brute Squad Registration.
• BIG DAM BRUTE WORKOUT - This Saturday (11/26) the 8 am workout will be reserved for people completing their Brute Squad events. Please sign up to reserve your spot. I will have a sign up sheet at Civic. Let’s finish strong and make this the biggest Brute ever!
• Brute Squad finishers will be awarded 2022 Brute caps! You’ll be able to show off your accomplishment every day at the pool with this cool new cap. All you have to do is finish one of the Brutes and get yourself registered!

 Coach Matt

mzachan@damfast.org

Thanksgiving Schedule Changes

Please note the following schedule changes (and one correction from last week's Monday Message) for Thanksgiving week: 

• Monday 11/21 (today) - Regular Schedule
• Tuesday 11/22 - Regular Schedule
• Wednesday (11/23) - No 6:15 pm workout (all other workouts on Regular Schedule)
• Thursday (11/24)  - 7, 8, 9, 10am workout only at Civic (no Arroyo)
  
• There is no 11am workout on Thanksgiving Day as reported in last week's MM. Very sorry for the mistake! 
• Friday (11/25)  - No Arroyo (otherwise regular schedule)
  
• Saturday (11/26) - Regular schedule

Visiting Swimmer Reminder

   With the holidays upon us, and the opportunity for visiting friends and family to swim with DAM increases, please remember our club policy for drop-in swimmers. 

   All visitors must be current USMS members and pay a one-swim fee of $10 or $20 for a week of swimming. 

   If the lanes are crowded, DAM members always have swim priority over visitors.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.

DAM Board Election - Candidate Statements

   There are four candidates for the upcoming DAM Board election. Their statements are below. There are four open seats on the board, and four candidates for those seats. Our bylaws require that we hold an election, though, even if it seems pointless. We will send a link (by email) to your ballot soon. Please take a moment and cast a ballot!  

   Even though the election seems pointless, this is the time of the year that a new board will form to lead DAM for the next year. Its a good time to think about the DAM things that are important to you, and share those thoughts with one of these candidates, or with another board member.

Theresa Keegan

   Davis Aquatic Masters is an incredible masters swim program that I was fortunate to experience first as an undergraduate student and then again upon my return to Davis eight years ago. What I find most enjoyable about DAM is not just the opportunity to participate in the many coached workouts, but to meet new swimmers, see friends and colleagues, and be a part of a positive swimming community. For the past few years, the DAM Board has navigated a variety of challenging situations, yet has remained steadfast in finding creative and equitable ways to keep us all in the water and minimize disruptions. During my running years, I served as a board member for West Valley Track Club helping to grow and serve that running community. Swimming is my focus now and the success of any program is based on an engaged and dedicated membership. I would be honored to serve on the Board of Directors to represent the swimming community and contribute to the growth and successes of DAM’s goals.

Patricia Quinn

   If elected, this will be my eighth year serving on the board. I am looking forward to one more term, hoping to finish up a few projects that have been underway for several years. I now am in a position to provide the much needed historical viewpoint as DAM faces new challenges, and I hope that my continued participation will serve to make our swim team stronger and continue our history of success.

Steve Reynolds

   I would like to serve on the Davis Aquatic Masters Board of Directors for another term. I believe that I have contributed as a board member during the last term. Like most boards it takes some time to understand the organization, especially from the Board’s perspective. In a second term I will be a contributing member from the start. We have a strong board and I look forward to serving another term. I am an attorney with an office in downtown Davis. It has been handy at times to have some board members with a legal background. I have advised and served on a few community boards of directors over the years. DAM successfully faced a number of challenges over the last two years; I would like to help build on those successes.

John Yoder

   I would like to serve on the board of directors of Davis Aquatic Masters. I have been associated with DAM since 1992, some years attending lots of practices and others not, depending on life stages of kids, careers, and conditioning. After a several-year hiatus I started swimming seriously again about six years ago and have since grown to love the workouts, coaching, consistency, and social community of Davis Aquatic Masters. I generally swim from 11:00-12:00 somewhere in the middle of the pool. If you see someone swimming butterfly in lane 5 around that time, it’s not me; I don’t swim butterfly, but I do love to watch it done right. Currently I’m a retired plant biology professor who would rather help the DAM board of directors keep our club the best swim club west of the Mississippi than write more lectures and papers. Thanks for the opportunity.

Annual DAM Meeting and Holiday Potluck Party

6:00-8:30pm. Saturday, December 10

Davis Senior Center Multi-Purpose Room, 646 A St.

   Come join your fellow lanemates to share swimming experiences, achievements and some serious eating and jocularity. As always, it will be a great time for DAM swimmers to keep their clothes on and party it up. DAM supplies non-alcoholic beverages and beer. DAM members bring food and wine to share, and earn one (1) easy Grand Prix point for doing so.

Last Names

• A-I: please bring a Salad or Side Dish
• J-N: Dessert
• O-Z: Main Dish

   The results of the DAM Board elections and the winners of the Lillian Rowan, Lucille Barry, Steve Carlson and Scott Allison awards will be announced. Also, Grand Prix prizes will be awarded and all of our fabulous volunteers and coaching staff will be recognized, as well.

The evening also includes the Inaugural Silent Auction where you'll have your chance to bid on spectacular and unique items and experiences including:

• 2-night stays in Capitola or Mammoth Lakes
• Personal tours of wineries and cattle ranches
• Artwork and crafts from local artists
• Swim lessons and game nights
• Numerous gift baskets of all varieties

Shop for the Holidays at the DAM Store

Looking for some DAM apparel to show off your team pride? Need the perfect gift for a fashion conscious swimmer in your life? Well you’re in luck! The DAM team store is open for business. Find cool DAM-branded shirts, hats, jackets, bags, sweats, and more. Purchase by December 4th to receive your order by Christmas. If you have questions, contact Lynda Yancher.

DAM Board Meeting

The next DAM Board meeting will be on Tuesday, December 13, at 6:30PM in the Brady Building.

DAM Birthdays 

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