DAM is the host club for this year’s National Championship event. The last time we hosted was in 2013 when, based on the total number of participants, the team finished second in the Extra-Large Club division behind the New England Masters (NEM) with their 625 swimmers vs our 298. Since then, participation in the annual event has declined somewhat steadily. In 2019, the last time a non-covid event was offered, NEM was still the Extra-Large Champ with 215 swimmers and DAM was second in the Large Club division with 58 swimmers. That all changes in 2022. We’re going back to the top!
 
   Though it’s been 11 years since our last crown, for almost all the 1990’s and 2009-2011, we were the best One-Hour Postal team in America. Twelve team titles in the last 30 years. Our goal this year is participation by 260 members and 900,000 yards. If there is another team in America that can post better numbers than those, good on ‘em.
 
   In order to accomplish this feat, the Board and Coaching staff are encouraging every DAM member to contribute to our team’s total. The competition for the club title comes from other teams representing entire geographic regions. Those ‘clubs’ have banded together for size and strength, sometimes specifically to defeat DAM. NEM comprises five states, 2,000 square miles and 1,500 registered members, and Oregon (the entire state - another fierce competitor) has nearly 1,000 swimmers. DAM swims at two pools, in one town with 500 members. It's David vs Goliaths.
 
   Bragging rights and club pride are at stake here but so are some prizes and cash incentives. This year USMS is offering all participants a cool latex event cap, and clubs with the highest total participation AND highest percentage of club participation can win up to $1,000. Pacific Masters has chipped in and will match the cash prizes for highest total participation.


Complete details about the USMS event are available here.

More DAM information:
 
   TIMELINE -  The 2022 event starts in less than two weeks and will run through January with entries due to USMS on/by February 2nd.  Plan ahead, reserve your lane and time slot, team up with a buddy to count your laps and go online to register for your swim BEFORE you push off. Return to the online site AFTER you r swim to log your splits and pay your entry fees.
 
   FOOD DRIVE - In conjunction with the OHS, the month of January is also our Annual Food Drive to help our neighbors through the Yolo County Food Bank. Over the past 14 years, DAM members have donated over $20,000 and nearly 6 tons of food. We’re asking all DAM Members to donate either four non-perishable food items or a monetary donation – payable to YCFB.
 
   SIGNUPS at CIVIC/ARROYO – January calendars will be posted at both Civic and Arroyo for pre-swim signups. One lane will be set aside at each practice for two swimmers to split on Mon thru Fri, with additional lanes and hours available during lap swim on the weekends. We’re also looking to reserve Arroyo pool on Monday, Jan 17, MLK Holiday for up to two hours of OHS availability. Be on the lookout for updates.
 
   GRAND PRIX Points – Because the event is a National Championship, a DAM-hosted event and we take the task of dethroning NEM seriously, the Grand Prix award for this one event is SIX points. In addition, as the role of lap counter is equally important to our objective, that job is worth ONE point per hour of counting.

OHS Club Results History

DAM Individual Records

DAM Relay Records