May 2026 Newsletter
SAVE THE DATE
May 4th - Overview / Training of Swim Meet Volunteer Positions
May 8th - Swim-A-Thon
May 11th - New Parent Orientation @ 6:35 pm (all new families encouraged to attend)
May 16th and 17th - Sextathlon Swim Meet @ DD
May 18th - Front Desk Training @ 6:35pm
June 12th to 15th - Ted Walker Swim Meet @ The Dalles and Annual Swim Family Camp Out @ The Deschutes River State Recreation Area
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Hello from the Coaches
Volunteer Info
Swimmer of the Month
May Birthday’s
Thank you to our official team sponsor Arena
Shop online at SwimOutlet to support the team! Select "David Douglas Aquatics Club" as your team and every purchase gives back to DDAC with a 10% kickback! https://www.swimoutlet.com/collections/ddac
RESOURCES:
Volunteer Hours / Event Sign Up / OSI Time Standards / USA Swimming / DDAC Facebook
Translated versions: RUSSIAN SPANISH VIETNAMESE
FROM THE COACHES
COACH JIM
Hey DDAC families,
Here's the lowdown on "leveling up":
Awesome work happening! It's great seeing everyone in the pool, especially the senior athletes, Gold, and Silver squads putting in major focus and effort this spring.
What does "level up" mean? Basically, it's making progress—moving up groups, hitting new time standards, or qualifying for bigger meets.
How do you do it? It depends on your age:
12 and Under: This could be sticking to a regular practice schedule (even with other sports), maybe adding one extra practice a week, or going to more drylands sessions than last season.
Older Swimmers (High School Age): This is a bigger commitment. We're talking getting stronger in the weight room and making almost every practice (90%-100%) through the spring and summer season.
It takes time, seriously. You can't "level up" overnight. It takes months, maybe even years, of daily effort.
Keep it going if you're already putting in the work!
Find that motivation if you're struggling, or you'll end up stuck at the same level as before.
Water Polo is in full swing. It is great to see so many athletes taking part on our new program.
Swim A Thon: Lets get involved, it is our one big fundraiser we do. 100% effort from 100% members of our team.
Coach Jim
COACH BOBBY
RESPECT IS THE FOUNDATION OF GREAT TEAM CULTURE
A successful swim team is built on more than fast times and hard practices, it is built on respect. Respect creates the kind of positive team culture where athletes feel supported, motivated, and proud to be part of something bigger than themselves. Just as importantly, it begins with self-respect.
Self-respect means holding yourself to high standards in and out of the pool. It is showing up on time, giving your best effort, taking care of your body, and making choices that reflect discipline and responsibility. Swimmers who respect themselves understand that their habits, attitude, and preparation matter.
Respect for others grows naturally from self-respect. Teammates who value themselves are more likely to encourage others, communicate positively, and contribute to a healthy environment. Every swimmer, whether they are leading lanes or just beginning, deserves to feel valued and included.
Respect also means listening to coaches and trusting the training process. Coaches dedicate time and energy to helping athletes improve, and showing respect through effort, focus, and a willingness to learn builds a stronger partnership between swimmers and staff.
Another important part of respect is sportsmanship. How swimmers act toward competitors, officials, and other teams reflects the values of the program. A respectful athlete competes fiercely but with integrity, understanding that success is earned through hard work and character.
When respect becomes part of everyday habits, team culture grows stronger. Practices become more productive, communication improves, and challenges are easier to overcome together. Swimmers feel safe pushing themselves because they know their teammates have their backs.
At the end of the day, great teams are not only measured by medals or records, but they are also measured by how they treat people, including themselves. By choosing self-respect and respect for others in every interaction, we create a team culture where everyone can succeed in and out of the pool.
COACH BRAYDEN
As we move into May, I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible effort we’ve been seeing across the pool. This is the time of year where consistency, attitude, and work ethic really start to separate swimmers—and it’s been great to see so many of you stepping up.
With the introduction of our new “Plus Squads,” we are looking for swimmers who are showing they want to be there. This goes beyond just fast swimming. We are noticing the athletes who are:
Coming to practice ready to work
Staying engaged throughout the entire set
Pushing themselves even when it gets tough
Supporting teammates and raising the level of the group
These squads are designed to challenge those who are ready for that next step, and we’ve already seen several swimmers making a strong case for themselves. Keep it up—your effort is being noticed every single day.
As we continue into long course season, let’s stay focused on building good habits. Showing up prepared, giving full effort, and maintaining a positive mindset will go a long way in helping you reach your goals.
Gear Reminder:
Having your own gear continues to be a big part of your development. It shows commitment and allows you to get the most out of every practice. Please make sure you are bringing:
Goggles (and a backup pair if possible)
Cap
Kickboard
Pull buoy
Fins
Water bottle
Swimmers who consistently come prepared put themselves in a much better position to improve and take advantage of every set we do.
Let’s keep building momentum this month. I’m excited to see who continues to rise to the challenge and push toward those Plus Squads.
Let’s have a great May!
– Coach Brayden
VOLUNTEER INFO
Volunteer Opportunities
Sextathalon Tubes for Relay Races - We are looking for one volunteer to pick up ten large tire tubes from Jiffy Lube (or a similar tire shop). These will need to be inflated at the pool a few days before the meet, with the air valves duct-taped down to ensure swimmer safety. If you can help, please email andrea.guillet@ddacswim.org as soon as possible.
Sextathalon Coffee Barista -We are excited to announce that cold brew and specialty coffee drinks will be back at this year’s swim meet, courtesy of Portland Coffee Roasters. We are looking for 2–4 volunteers to act as baristas throughout the weekend (training will be provided!). If you're interested in joining the team and trading off shifts, please email andrea.guillet@ddacswim.org as soon as possible.
Front Desk - If you are interested in volunteering at the front desk in June, July and August, please sign up here.
The next training will be provided on Monday May 18th, right after Bobby’s team meeting (roughly 6:35pm). Please RSVP to andrea.guillet@ddacswim.orgif you plan to attend the training.
Front Desk Volunteer Coordinator - I need someone who is knowledgeable about the front desk who is willing to be the point person for managing sign ups, sending out monthly updates and providing training once a month to new volunteers.
Stroke and Turn Officials - We are in need of more swim officials to ensure our meets run smoothly and that we are able to attend away meets. Your participation is vital. Becoming an official is not only a key way to support our swimmers, but it also provides an excellent opportunity to earn volunteer hours on an ongoing basis and enjoy some great benefits. Read more here.
Volunteer hour requirements reset every season. To read more about the requirement, please check out the website or email andrea.guillet@ddacswim.org with any questions.
SWIM-A-THON:
Swim-A-Thon: May 8th, 4-8pm
Make up date: May 13th, 4-7:30pm
Deadline to submit donations: May 22nd, by 7pm
Cash or check donations can be turned in at the front desk anytime between now and May 22nd
Make sure your swimmer’s name gets written on the receipt and marked “for SAT”
Make checks payable to DDAC
Our TAX EIN is #81-3195809
Raffle Prizes:
Beyond the grand and tiered prizes announced on April 24, swimmers will earn one raffle entry for every donation received. We’ll be giving away exciting extra prizes like gift cards, merch, and tickets every day during the week of the event and through May 22. Start reaching out to your network now to increase your chances of winning!
Day of the Event Details (May 8th):
Parents- We will need assistance with lap counting. Please be willing to help count laps for your swimmer(s) and others if needed. Clipboards with lap counting sheets will be available. Please tally the total lap count for each swimmer when they are done and turn in all completed sheets.
Snacks - donations are encouraged & very much appreciated to keep our swimmers fueled and hydrated. You can bring your snack donations when you arrive at the pool. There will be tables set up on the pool deck.
Last names beginning A-J, please bring drinks
Last names beginning K-Z, please bring snacks
Wrap Up - When swimmers are finished swimming their laps, you can take a picture with their total lap count using the “I Swam ## Laps” dry erase boards. This will be set up in the bleachers below the DD banner. Take a photo and post it to the David Douglas Aquatics Club Facebook page.
Please be sure to turn in all final lap count tally sheets before you leave.
Share your swimmer’s accomplishments with your per lap pledge donors to collect your donations. This is also the time to reach out to more potential sponsors before the deadline on May 22nd and earn a chance at more raffle prizes.
SEXTATHLON:
The Sextathlon swim meet on May 16–17 is a beloved David Douglas tradition and our largest home meet of the year. To ensure everything runs smoothly, we rely on a strong team of volunteers. Volunteer sign-up links will be released 1–2 weeks before the meet.
If you are new to volunteering at swim meets, there will be an orientation session on Monday, May 4th (after Bobby’s team meeting) to go over all the volunteer positions available and what each one entails. There will also be a brief training on how to time. This orientation is the perfect time to ask questions and discover which position suits you best before the sign-up goes live.
TED WALKER INVITATIONAL:
Swim Meet & Family Camp Out, in The Dalles
Swim meet: June 12th to 14th (declare on the website)
Camping: June 12to to 15th* (sign up here)
Optional group camping at The Deschutes River State Recreation Area - Group sites C & D (same as last year). Group dinner planned for Saturday evening at a restaurant in The Dalles. Details coming soon.
*An additional day of camping was added this year so that families do not need to pack up Sunday morning. You will have the option to come back to camp Sunday afternoon to pack up or stay an additional night to relax and explore the area.
SWIMMER’S OF THE MONTH
Senior - Topher Ashmore
Gold - Nate Lindberg
Silver 2 - Mara Davis
Silver 1 - Charlie Nelson
Bronze 2 - Alice Nolan
Bronze 1 - Victoria Nguyen
MAY BIRTHDAY’S
05/20/2012 Justin Rodriguez Ramirez Silver II
05/20/2012 Danni Schommer Ceja Gold
05/22/2015 Hazel Trost Bronze
05/06/2012 Kaden Truong Silver I
05/30/2017 Grigorii Vasilenko Silver I
05/17/2014 Beatrice Weitzman Silver II
05/13/2009 Ryker Wilson Water Polo
05/21/2016 Pauline Adam Bronze
05/19/2012 Preston Hoang Silver II
05/26/2016 Jigsel Khedup Bronze
05/10/2014 Allie Lei Silver II
05/30/2014 Victoria Mindra Silver I
05/23/2013 Olivia Mai Nguyen Silver I
05/02/2014 Desmond Perkins Silver I
05/25/2015 Alexander Roberts Pre-Comp
BOARD MEMBERS
Jennifer Robinson – Member Representative
jennifer.robinson@ddacswim.org
Halle Cisco – Marketing & Communications
halle.cisco@ddacswim.org
Jamie King – Coach
jamie.king@ddacswim.org
Coaches:
bobby.deroest@ddacswim.org
brayden.franzke@ddacswim.org
James Bowe – President
jim.bowe@ddacswim.org
Crystal Mandery – Vice President
crystal.mandery@ddacswim.org
Jennifer Lindeman – Secretary
jennifer.lindeman@ddacswim.org
Heather Franklin – Treasurer
heather.franklin@ddacswim.org
Andrea Guillet – Volunteer Coordinator
andrea.guillet@ddacswim.org