CEO/Head Coach Message

It’s an exciting time of year for DAM as we head into a busy stretch of community events and fundraisers.

Big Day of Giving is right around the corner, and we’re gearing up for another great campaign to support the club. You’ll be hearing more about ways to get involved, whether that’s donating, participating in our raffle, or helping us spread the word.

Our annual Lake Berryessa Open Water Swim is also coming up on June 6, and registration is now open. It’s one of our signature events and a great opportunity to challenge yourself, enjoy an incredible venue, and support DAM.

We’re also excited to bring back our Adult Learn to Swim program in June and July. This is one of the most impactful things we do as a club, providing affordable access to swim lessons and giving back to our community. If you’re looking for a way to get involved, this is a great place to start.

More details on all of these below. Thanks as always for being part of DAM.

Big Day of Giving, Let’s Build the DAM

We’re gearing up for Big Day of Giving on May 1 with a full week of events and ways to support the club. This year’s theme is Build the DAM, Every Brick Makes Us Stronger.

Schedule

4/27, Fundraiser at Dos Coyotes Border Cafe, 4:00 PM to close
4/27 to 5/01, Donation drop offs and online giving
5/01, Big Day of Giving celebration at Brady Building with snacks, music, and fun

New this year

Fund for a future pool facility
Instant Joy Fund, make the coaches dance, change music or workouts, and more
First 14 sponsors in each category receive a special prize

Back again

Raffle, now you can target the prizes you want
Coach costume upgrades as donation goals are hit
All Star Alley, watch the DAM grow with every donation

We also need volunteers on May 1, 2 per hour from 6 to 8 AM, 3 per hour from 8 to 12 PM.

Questions or sponsorships, fundraising@damfast.org

Let’s build something big, together.

Dos Coyotes Fundraiser

Join us for a fun and easy way to support DAM. On Monday, April 27, head to Dos Coyotes Border Cafe in South Davis anytime from 4:00 PM to close.

Bring the event flyer, we will have them available and send one out via email, and DAM will receive 20 percent of your bill.

It’s a great chance to grab dinner, connect with teammates, and support the club as we head into Big Day of Giving week.

Lake Berryessa Open Water Swim

The annual Lake Berryessa Swim will be held at Steele Canyon on June 6, 2026. If you haven’t already, register to swim.

This is a huge undertaking and it would be impossible to host an event of this magnitude without participation and support from our members. We need volunteers to assist with site setup, check in, first aid, water safety, packing and unpacking the truck, and many other tasks. A Sign Up Genius is available for all volunteer spots. Please consider signing up for a shift, there is no limit on number of shifts as long as they do not conflict, and help make this the best DAM event possible. All volunteers who sign up by May 17 will be guaranteed a free 2026 event T shirt.

Area coordinators are needed for first aid, the finish line and awards on race day, as well as truck loading on Friday before the race at Civic. Contact Kevin Waterson at Berryessa@damfast.org if you are interested. If you cannot make it to the lake, consider helping load or unload at Civic on Friday before or Saturday afternoon after the event.

Still looking for a way to help. Donate money by being an event sponsor. If you have a business to promote, or want your name on merchandise, contact Kevin Waterson at berryessa@damfast.org.

However you help, we appreciate you.

Adult Learn to Swim

Our Adult Learn to Swim program is returning this summer, and we are once again looking for volunteer instructors to help adults in our community learn this life saving skill.

Program Dates, June 16 to July 9
Classes, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:15 to 7:00 PM
Location, Civic Pool

Instructor Training
June 9, 6:30 to 8:00 PM
Brady Building

If you’re interested in volunteering, please check your calendar to confirm you can attend both the training and the class sessions.

Questions
Rose Cholewinski, rose@swimamericadavis.com
Pat Quinn, prose.quinn@gmail.com
Diane Barrett, dianebarrett3@gmail.com

Train with Olympic Gold Medalist Cullen Jones

Check out this special clinic in Sacramento featuring Olympic gold medalist Cullen Jones, one of the most accomplished sprinters in United States swimming history. This unique opportunity combines in water instruction with insights from a world class athlete who has competed in multiple Olympic Games and won multiple medals. Whether you’re looking to refine your technique or get inspired, this is a rare chance to learn from one of the best.

Click to register and for more information.

Arroyo Update

We received an update from the City on the Arroyo pool project. The heater replacement is now complete, and the new system is ready to go.

There has been a delay with the filter installation, pushing the projected completion date to April 30.

In the meantime, all workouts will continue at current pool locations. We appreciate everyone’s flexibility and look forward to getting back to Arroyo soon.

Pool Gates

Quick reminder that all pool gates must remain closed at all times. Gates will be unlocked for access, but they should not be left open.

This is a Yolo County Health Department requirement. Thanks for helping us stay in compliance and keep things running smoothly.

Grand Prix Opportunities

Here are opportunities for Grand Prix points in April

PMS Short Course Championships on 4/10 to 4/12 in Novato, California
2026 USMS Spring National Championship on 4/30 to 5/3 in Greensboro, North Carolina

Competitions

Pacific Masters Short Course Yards Championship
Date, April 10 to 12
Location, Novato

USMS Spring National Championship
Date, April 30 to May 3
Location, Greensboro, North Carolina

2026 Distance Non Free Virtual Challenge
Date, May 1 to June 30, 2026
Location, any SCY pool

2026 Lake Berryessa Open Water Swim
Date, June 6, 2026
Location, Steele Canyon Campground

Workout Rotation

Week of 4/5/26
Monday, Kick Pull
Tuesday, IM
Wednesday, Sprint
Thursday, Distance
Friday, Kick Pull
Saturday, Coach Choice

Week of 4/13/26
Monday, IM
Tuesday, Sprint
Wednesday, Distance
Thursday, Kick Pull
Friday, IM
Saturday, Coach Choice

DAM Board Meeting

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