Message from CEO/Head Coach

What a weekend! Our DAM swimmers made the trip to Summer Nationals in Sacramento and put on an incredible showing. The energy, the racing, and the way everyone showed up for each other all weekend was something special.

We had a ton of fast swims, including a whole stack of broken records. An extra shout out to our National Champions:

• Betty Dugan — 200 Free
• Matt Roper — 200 Back
• Jane Russell — 200 Fly
• Mixed Medley Relay — Leslie Westergaard, Hugh Wilder, Andy McPherson, Peggy Reedy

Congratulations to every single one of you — those top finishes are hard-earned.

On the records: so many were broken that it's going to take a little while to compile them all properly. We're working on it and will have the full record rundown ready next week — it'll be worth the wait.

Finally, a huge thank you to all of our volunteers. From timing to awards and everything in between, this meet doesn't happen without you. Great job, everyone — go DAM!

DAM SCM September Classic Meet

We're excited to host a Short Course Meters meet on 9/12 at Schaal — a great chance to get SCM swims in while supporting the team (all proceeds go directly to the club).

• Registration is OPEN — sign up [HERE].
• Volunteers needed — sign up [HERE].
• Can't swim or volunteer? [Donate to the meet HERE] to support operations like hospitality, supplies, and staffing.

Thank you for your support!

Fall Schedule

Now in effect.

Arroyo

• Monday–Friday: 6 am

Civic

• Monday/Wednesday/Friday: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 am, 12, 1 pm, 6:15 pm
• Tuesday/Thursday: 6, 7, 10, 11 am, 12, 1 pm, 6:15 pm
• Saturday: 7, 8 am (coached workouts), 9 am–12 pm (lap swim)
• Sunday: 9 am–12 pm (lap swim)

Save the Date — DAM Fall Picnic, Oct 10

Join us Saturday, October 10 at Arroyo Park for our DAM Fall Picnic! We'll gather in the new picnic area near the pool starting at 4:30 pm and stay until you're ready to head home.

Bring your own dinner and drinks, plus a snack or dessert to share with the group. Got lawn games? Bring 'em — cornhole, lawn darts, ladder toss, anything you can set up on the grass.

Family and friends are all welcome — bring your crew and come enjoy an evening of good food and great company. See you at the park!

Calling All Aquadart Alumni

Come celebrate the legend that is Carolee Gregg! DART is planning Carolee's retirement party, bringing together people from all the years she's been running Summerdarts and coaching Aquadarts/DART.

RSVPs aren't required but help with the headcount, and the invite includes info on how to donate to her gift. Please pass this along to any other families who might want to attend.

• Click [HERE] to RSVP
• RSVP issues: email jamie.kiarie@dartswimming

Upcoming Competitions

Meet	Date	Location
2026 Santa Cruz Open Water Weekend	Aug 15–16, 2026	Santa Cruz, CA
2026 DAM SCM September Classic	Sept 12, 2026	Schaal Aquatic Center (Davis)
2026 PMS SCM Championship	Oct 2–4, 2026	Heather Farm Park, Walnut Creek

Registration, volunteer, and donation links available on the club site.

Workout Rotation

Week of 8/10/26

• Monday: IM
• Tuesday: Sprint
• Wednesday: Distance
• Thursday: Kick/Pull
• Friday: IM
• Saturday: Coach Choice

Week of 8/17/26

• Monday: Sprint
• Tuesday: Distance
• Wednesday: Kick/Pull
• Thursday: IM
• Friday: Sprint
• Saturday: Coach Choice

DAM Board Meeting

Next meeting: 9/9/26, 6:30 pm, Brady Building

DAM Weekly Highlights

Message from CEO/Head Coach

Big week ahead. Summer Nationals kicks off tomorrow in Sacramento, and a strong group of our swimmers will be racing on the national stage through Sunday. Whether you're competing, cheering from the stands, or holding down our regular workouts back in Davis, you're part of what makes this club what it is.

Plenty more below — a fundraiser recap, a record we need to set straight, our Fall schedule returning next week, and a September meet worth getting on your calendar. Let's have a great week.

Yolo Berry Fundraiser

Big thanks to everyone who came out to our Yolo Berry fundraiser last week! A strong group of DAM swimmers showed up to enjoy some froyo. Final numbers aren't in yet, but the food was delicious and the company was even better.

Broken Records — Correction

One quick correction from last week: when we shared the broken records from the Pacific Masters Long Course Meters Championship meet, we left one swimmer off the list.

Jennifer Phalen also set 2 new club records at that meet — 1500 Free and 800 Free. Apologies for the miss, Jennifer, and congratulations!

USMS Summer National Championships

Summer Nationals is this week!

• Coach Matt will be at the meet Wednesday–Sunday.
• Coach Sean will be at the meet Thursday–Sunday.
• Our regular workout schedule continues back in Davis, run by our awesome assistant coaches.

Want to get involved without swimming?

• Come cheer! Teammates will be racing — bring your energy and help cheer our swimmers to the wall.
• Volunteers needed! Help with timing, hospitality, or other roles. Sign up [HERE]. Volunteering earns 1 Grand Prix point per day.

Date: August 5–9, 2026 Location: Sacramento, CA Click [HERE] for all important links

DAM SCM September Classic Meet

We're excited to host a Short Course Meters meet on 9/12 at Schaal — a great chance to get SCM swims in while supporting the team (all proceeds go directly to the club).

• Registration is OPEN — sign up [HERE].
• Volunteers needed — sign up [HERE].
• Can't swim or volunteer? [Donate to the meet HERE] to support operations like hospitality, supplies, and staffing.

Thank you for your support!

Fall Schedule

Returns NEXT WEEK, Monday, August 10.

Arroyo

• Monday–Friday: 6 am

Civic

• Monday/Wednesday/Friday: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 am, 12, 1 pm, 6:15 pm
• Tuesday/Thursday: 6, 7, 10, 11 am, 12, 1 pm, 6:15 pm
• Saturday: 7, 8 am (coached workouts), 9 am–12 pm (lap swim)
• Sunday: 9 am–12 pm (lap swim)

We're Looking for a Graphic Designer!

DAM is looking for a member (or someone you know) with graphic design skills to help create marketing and outreach materials — flyers, business cards, brochures, and banners. If you have design experience and want to lend your talents to the club, email Matt: mzachan@damfast.org.

Calling All Aquadart Alumni

If your children spent time as an Aquadart or SummerDart, or worked as a Summerdart coach, there's a good chance they were impacted by Carolee Gregg. For well over 30 years, Carolee poured her heart into coaching, teaching, leading, and loving your children — and she's finishing her coaching career this month.

The DART club is planning her retirement party on the evening of September 12 at Community Pool. Mark your calendars — you're invited to come celebrate with her. More information coming soon.

Upcoming Competitions

Meet	Date	Location
2026 USMS LCM Championship Meet	Aug 5–9, 2026	Sacramento, CA
2026 Donner Lake Open Water Swim	Aug 8, 2026	Donner Lake
2026 Santa Cruz Open Water Weekend	Aug 15–16, 2026	Santa Cruz, CA
2026 DAM SCM September Classic	Sept 12, 2026	Schaal Aquatic Center (Davis)

Registration, volunteer, and donation links available on the club site.

Workout Rotation

Week of 8/3/26

• Monday: Kick/Pull
• Tuesday: SCY – IM, LCM – IM
• Wednesday: Sprint
• Thursday: SCY – Distance, LCM – Distance
• Friday: Kick/Pull
• Saturday: Coach Choice

Week of 8/10/26

• Monday: IM
• Tuesday: Sprint
• Wednesday: Distance
• Thursday: Kick/Pull
• Friday: IM
• Saturday: Coach Choice

DAM Board Meeting

Next meeting: 8/4/26, 6:30 pm

Note: Due to extreme heat, this meeting will be held at 129 E Street, Suite D3 (above Sophia's) instead of the usual location.

DAM Weekly Highlights

Message from CEO/Head Coach

We have some fun things coming up at DAM!

First, our Yolo Berry fundraiser is tomorrow, Wednesday, July 29. Stop by anytime between 11:00 AM and 11:00 PM, mention DAM when you check out, and 20% of your bill comes back to the club. Eat frozen yogurt, support DAM, and maybe run into some teammates while you're there. Don't miss out!

Then, next week is USMS Nationals in Sacramento! We have 42 swimmers heading over to race hard in individual events and relays. Coach Matt and Coach Sean will be there coaching, cheering, and racing as well. It's going to be a super fun week! If you didn't sign up, you can still join in the fun by volunteering or just coming over to cheer!

Looking ahead, DAM is hosting a Short Course Meters meet on September 12 at Schaal. We're excited to bring another great racing opportunity to our local swimming community.

Lots of good stuff happening — thanks for being part of it!

Yolo Berry Fundraiser — Wednesday, July 29

TOMORROW, Yolo Berry Yogurt is giving back 20% of the day's proceeds to DAM — all you have to do is show up and mention DAM at checkout!

• When: Wednesday, July 29, 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM (all day!)
• How: Grab your favorite froyo, mention DAM at checkout, that's it.
• Who: Everybody! Bring your DAM crew, family, and neighbors.

Skip making dessert, treat yourself, and support DAM all in one trip. See you there!

Broken Records

Awesome swims a couple weekends ago at the Pacific Masters Long Course Championship meet. Congrats to the swimmers who broke DAM records:

• Dave Woodruff — 200 Breast, 400 IM
• Matt Zachan — 200 IM, 100 Breast, 200 Breast, 400 Free
• Women's 800 Free Relay — Jane Russell, Emma Garforth, Jennifer Phalen, Vivian Crow

USMS Summer National Championships

Registration has closed, but the meet is happening right in our backyard (August 5–9, Sacramento) — there are still two great ways to be part of it:

• Come cheer! Teammates will be racing — bring your energy and help cheer our swimmers to the wall.
• Volunteers needed! Help with timing, hospitality, or other roles. Sign up [HERE]. Volunteering earns 1 Grand Prix point per day.

Date: August 5–9, 2026 Location: Sacramento, CA Click [HERE] for all important links

DAM SCM September Classic Meet

We're excited to host a Short Course Meters meet on 9/12 at Schaal — a great chance to get SCM swims in while supporting the team (all proceeds go directly to the club).

Registration is currently OPEN — sign up [HERE].

Since this is a DAM-hosted event, we'll need volunteer help. Watch for a Sign Up Genius coming out in the next couple weeks. Thank you for your support!

Fall Schedule

Returns Monday, August 10.

Arroyo

• Monday–Friday: 6 am

Civic

• Monday/Wednesday/Friday: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 am, 12, 1 pm, 6:15 pm
• Tuesday/Thursday: 6, 7, 10, 11 am, 12, 1 pm, 6:15 pm
• Saturday: 7, 8 am (coached workouts), 9 am–12 pm (lap swim)
• Sunday: 9 am–12 pm (lap swim)

Upcoming Competitions

Meet	Date	Location
2026 USMS LCM Championship Meet	Aug 5–9, 2026	Sacramento, CA
2026 Donner Lake Open Water Swim	Aug 8, 2026	Donner Lake
2026 Santa Cruz Open Water Weekend	Aug 15–16, 2026	Santa Cruz, CA
2026 DAM SCM September Classic	Sept 12, 2026	Schaal Aquatic Center (Davis)

Registration/volunteer links available on the club site.

Workout Rotation

Week of 7/27/26

• Monday: Distance
• Tuesday: SCY – Kick/Pull, LCM – Mid Distance
• Wednesday: IM
• Thursday: SCY – Sprint, LCM – Sprint-ish
• Friday: Distance
• Saturday: Coach Choice

Week of 8/3/26

• Monday: Kick/Pull
• Tuesday: SCY – IM, LCM – IM
• Wednesday: Sprint
• Thursday: SCY – Distance, LCM – Distance
• Friday: Kick/Pull
• Saturday: Coach Choice

Grand Prix Point Opportunities

• Yolo Berry Fundraiser: Earn 1 point for attending tomorrow. Take a photo and email it to Coach Sean at skos@damfast.org.
• Nationals: Earn 1 point/day for volunteering, 2 points/day for swimming.

DAM Board Meeting

Next meeting: 8/4/26, 6:30 pm, Brady Building

DAM Weekly Highlights

Your roundup of races, meets, and everything happening on deck

From the CEO/Head Coach

What a weekend for DAM! We had 20 DAM members take on the Tahoe relay, and every one of them swam beautifully and represented our team with heart. At the same time, a strong group headed to the Pacific Masters Long Course Meters Championships in Moraga and absolutely showed up. We're still sifting through the results, and we'll have a full rundown of all the records broken in the next Tuesday Message.

I couldn't be prouder of how DAM was represented this weekend — and we're just getting warmed up. With 42 swimmers heading to Nationals, our team is going to be out in force. It's going to be a great one.

And if competing isn't your thing, don't worry — we've got plenty of other fun activities on the calendar, including our Yolo Berry fundraiser on July 29 (frozen yogurt for a good cause... hard to beat that).

One last thing: we've welcomed a bunch of new members recently, and we want every one of them to feel right at home at a DAM workout or event. If you see a new face, say hello, introduce yourself, and show them the ropes. That warm DAM welcome is a big part of what makes this team special.

Yolo Berry Fundraiser — Wednesday, July 29

Mark your calendars: this Wednesday, July 29, Yolo Berry Yogurt is giving back 20% of the day's proceeds to DAM — and all you have to do is show up and mention DAM at checkout!

• When: Wednesday, July 29, 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM (yes, all day!)
• How: Grab your favorite froyo, mention DAM at checkout, and that's it.
• Who: Everybody! Bring your DAM crew, your family, your neighbors — the more the merrier.

It doesn't get much easier (or tastier) than this. Skip making dessert, treat yourself, and support DAM all in one trip. See you there!

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 right in our backyard — and there are still two great ways to be part of it.

• Come cheer! Some of your DAM teammates will be racing, and nothing fires up a swimmer like hearing their team in the stands. Stop by, bring your energy, and help cheer our swimmers to the wall.
• Volunteers needed! If you're 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 9/12 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.

Fall Schedule

We will return to our Fall schedule starting on Monday, August 10th.

Arroyo

• Monday – Friday: 6 am

Civic

• Monday/Wednesday/Friday: 6 am, 7 am, 8 am, 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 6:15 pm
• Tuesday/Thursday: 6 am, 7 am, 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 6:15 pm
• Saturday: 7 am, 8 am (coached workouts), 9 am – 12 pm (lap swim)
• Sunday: 9 am – 12 pm (lap swim)

DAM Culture Corner

Over the past couple of months, we've welcomed a lot of new swimmers through our 30-day trial program. Our goal isn't just to have them try DAM — we want them to become part of our community for years to come.

If you see someone new at practice, take a moment to introduce yourself. Help them find the right lane, answer any questions they have, or simply make them feel like they belong. Those small interactions can make all the difference for someone walking onto the pool deck for the first time.

People may join DAM because of the workouts, but they stay because of the people. Let's all do our part to make every new swimmer feel welcome.

Stroke Analysis Sessions — FULL

The response to these has been great — the Saturday, August 1 sessions are now completely booked. Thank you to everyone who signed up!

If you still want in, you can add your name to the wait list in case a spot opens up. [Click HERE to join.]

And if you missed out this time, don't worry — I'm already planning another event for Saturday, October 17. Keep an eye on the Tuesday Message for details and sign-up info as we get closer.

What's included: I film your swimming above and below the water, then we sit down together 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. [Click HERE for more information.]

Upcoming Competitions

2026 USMS LCM Championship Meet Aug 5–9, 2026 · Sacramento, CA [Click HERE to register and for more information]

2026 Donner Lake Open Water Swim Aug 8, 2026 · Donner Lake

2026 Santa Cruz Open Water Weekend Aug 15–16, 2026 · Santa Cruz, CA [Click HERE to register and for more information]

2026 DAM SCM September Classic Sept 12, 2026 · Schaal Aquatic Center (Davis)

Workout Rotation

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

Week of 7/27/26

• Monday: Distance
• Tuesday: SCY – Kick/Pull | LCM – Mid Distance
• Wednesday: IM
• Thursday: SCY – Sprint | LCM – Sprint-ish
• Friday: Distance
• Saturday: Coach Choice

DAM Board Meeting

Our next board meeting will be held on 8/4/26 at 6:30 pm in the Brady Building.

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.