June 2026 Newsletter
SAVE THE DATE
June 5th - Friday Feast Picnic and Swim-A-Thon appreciation party
June 8th - New Parent Orientation @ 6:35 pm (all new families encouraged to attend)
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
June 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,
I hope everyone is finishing up the school year strong and getting ready for summer break.
The summer is a great time to reset your goals and take every opportunity to make yourself a better swimmer and athlete. With school being out and having more time to enjoy friends and family, remember to keep a consistent practice schedule and take care of yourself.
Make sure to keep a consistent bed time
Drink plenty of water
Eat a balanced diet
And come to practice ready to improve
Thank you to the board and parent volunteers for running a great swim meet last month. It was great to see so many swimmers compete and their families pitching in.
Have a great summer and see you at the pool.
Jim
COACH BOBBY
PRACTICE LIKE IT MATTERS
Every swimmer dreams about race day. The excitement of stepping onto the blocks, hearing the crowd, and seeing a personal best appear on the scoreboard is what keeps us motivated through long practices and early mornings. Great performances don’t happen by accident; they are built one practice at a time.
One of the most important lessons in swimming is learning to give 100% effort in practice. The habits you create every day become the foundation for your performance when it matters most.
When swimmers cut corners in practice, whether by taking easy turns, cruising through sets, or losing focus during drills, they are also practicing those habits. On the other hand, when swimmers attack every set with purpose, hold strong technique under fatigue, and push through challenging moments, they are preparing themselves to do the same in competition.
The old saying, “Practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect”; holds true. Race day is not the time to suddenly become disciplined, focused, or mentally tough. Those qualities are developed during the countless hours spent training.
Giving 100% in practice doesn’t mean swimming every lap at maximum speed. It means giving maximum effort to the purpose of each set. Sometimes that means sprinting. Sometimes it means concentrating on stroke technique, maintaining consistent pacing, or executing every turn correctly. Full effort is about being fully engaged in the task at hand.
Swimmers who consistently train with intention gain confidence. When they step onto the blocks, they know they have prepared thoroughly. They don’t have to wonder if they worked hard enough or if they could have done more. Their confidence comes from the knowledge that they have done the work.
The best swimmers understand that championships are won long before the competition begins. They are won in ordinary practices when no one is watching, during difficult sets when quitting would be easier, and in the commitment to doing the little things right every day.
As we continue through the season, challenge yourself to bring your best effort to every practice. Focus on the details, support your teammates, and embrace the hard work. The results may not come immediately, but over time, the effort you invest today will show up when the starter says, “Take your mark.”
COACH BRAYDEN
Summer is officially here, and we are excited to kick off one of the biggest milestones of the season — our PLUS squads!
Congratulations to all swimmers who have earned their place on these squads through their hard work, dedication, and commitment in and out of the water. Your effort has shown, and this is a privilege you should be proud of!
If you have not made a PLUS squad yet, do not get discouraged. There will be more opportunities throughout the season to continue improving, show your abilities, and earn your spot. Keep showing up, working hard, and trusting the process!
We would also like to give a huge shoutout to all of our amazing parents and volunteers who have helped throughout the year so far. Whether it’s timing at meets, helping with meet jobs, or serving as parent referees, your support keeps DDAC running smoothly. Your time and effort do not go unnoticed, and we truly appreciate everything you do for our swimmers and our club!
If you have not checked out the hallway near the locker rooms yet, make sure you do! We are starting a new star poster system where swimmers can earn stars based on milestones and achievements depending on their squad level. Yes — the super cool shiny stars! ⭐
Our goal is to let swimmers proudly display their accomplishments, fill their event boards with a rainbow of stars, and bring that competitive spirit everywhere they go. We are excited to see everyone chasing new goals this summer!
As we move further into summer training, the coaching staff would also like to emphasize the importance of every swimmer bringing a gear bag with the required equipment for their squad level. Being prepared every day helps swimmers get the most out of practice no matter what is planned for the day. Coaches notice the swimmers who consistently come ready to work and prepared for anything — it shows commitment, responsibility, and dedication to the team.
Squad Gear Expectations
Bronze Squad
Goggles
Swim cap
Fins
Kickboard
Pull buoy
Snorkel (encouraged but not required)
Water bottle
Silver Squad
Goggles
Swim cap
Fins
Kickboard
Pull buoy
Snorkel
Water bottle
Gold/Senior Squad
Goggles
Swim cap
Fins
Kickboard
Pull buoy
Paddles
Snorkel
Water bottle
We are excited to continue seeing this club grow, improve, and push each other to new levels this summer. Thank you all for being part of DDAC!
“Reach for the stars and you might get the moon.” – TS ⭐🌙
– 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:
A huge thank you to everyone for making this year’s Swim-A-Thon a success! Our swimmers collected a total of $33,362 in donations and swam a combined total of 19,396 laps (275.5 miles). We appreciate the immense dedication and time our families put into making this event successful year after year. A special thank you goes out to our swimmers for their hard work gathering donations, and to the adults supporting them behind the scenes. Way to go DDAC!
FRIDAY FEAST:
Our next Friday Feast will be on June 5th and will be PICNIC themed! As a token of appreciation for all the hard work our families put into raising money for Swim-A-Thon, the Club will provide drinks, otter pops, popcorn and cotton candy to celebrate!
Families can bring a picnic blanket, your favorite lawn chairs and a food dish to share. Practice @ 5pm followed by potluck dinner @ 6:30pm.
Volunteers will be needed to support this event, please sign up here.
UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Star Parents - As the coaches finalize and roll out the new squad levels, we are looking for 1 parent per squad (Bronze I, Bronze II, Silver I, and so on) to help celebrate our athletes' hard work! We need help tracking swimmer achievements on the squad posters located in the back hallway near the locker rooms. The task is to check results after each swim meet, place star stickers next to names for qualifying times (State, Regionals, etc.) and keep the visual board updated to motivate swimmers to reach the next level. If you can help represent your child's squad, please reach out to brayden.franzke@ddacswim.org
Silent Auction Helpers- After last year's success, we are gearing up for another Silent Auction event this fall and we need your help to make it a success! We are looking for energetic volunteers to solicit donations before the event. Jennifer Robinson, our silent auction mastermind, is already mapping out an outreach list, so you will have plenty of direction. If outreach isn't your jam, we have plenty of other critical tasks where your skills can shine. Every bit of support makes a difference for our team. Please email Jennifer.robinsonddac@gmail.com today to get involved!
Front Desk Point Person - We are seeking a knowledgeable volunteer to step into a leadership role as our Front Desk Point Person. Key responsibilities include: managing volunteer sign-ups and schedules, communicating monthly updates to volunteers and conducting one training session per month for new volunteers. This is a great ongoing way to fulfill your own service hours every season. If you are familiar with our front desk operations and interested in this role, please email andrea.guillet@ddacswim.org
Front Desk - If you are interested in volunteering at the front desk in June, July or August, there are still some spots available. Please sign up here.
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, for those that are interested, at Bargeway Pub in The Dalles, family friendly, waterfront dining. Details will be emailed to interested families.
*We’ve extended camping by a day! Skip the Sunday morning rush—either return Sunday afternoon to pack up, or stay through Monday to relax and explore.
SWIM STRONG DRYLAND - Tip of the Month
ABC’s of Nutrition
With so much information floating around on the web today, it’s easy to get lost in the “how-to’s” and “hacks” of nutrition. Rather than always asking “what’s new?” with nutrition, we need to also be asking “what’s old?”. We get it. Mastering the basics is not exactly attractive. Everyone wants the next shiny thing that will catapult them to success. The reality is, the basics are what keep us moving forward toward our goals, or hold us back. So whether you’re an age group or senior swimmer, the ABC’s of nutrition are for you!
A – AMOUNT
One of the pillars of good nutrition for swimmers is eating enough to fuel performance and stay healthy. Check out Performance Gains for an estimate of where to start.
Some signs that you ARE eating enough:
Feeling energized throughout the day
Feeling energized at practice
Mental clarity + focus
Not sick or injured very often
Proper growth
Steady mood
Regular menstrual cycle for females
Some warning signs you may NOT be eating enough:
Feeling fatigued often
Trouble concentrating
Recurring sickness or injury
Unintentional weight loss
Decreased endurance and strength
Depression, irritability, or mood changes
Irregular or loss of menstrual cycle for females
B – BIG NUTRIENTS
The three “big” or “macro” nutrients are carbohydrates, protein, and fat. They are ALL important for your health and performance, they just have different jobs.
What do carbs do?
Carbs are your main fuel source for intense activity and long practices. They give you energy to swim fast!
Where do I get carbs?
Some carbs are used quickly, while others are not. Both fast and slow carbs are useful for the swim athlete. Most of the foods you eat should revolve around slow carbs with fiber, however, fast carbs with little to no fiber can be helpful right before/after exercise.
FAST carb examples:
Fruit gummies
Sports drinks
White breads/rice/pastas
Fruit pouches
Energy bars
Some cereals
SLOW carb examples:
Whole fruits and vegetables
Oats
Whole/sprouted grain breads/rice/pastas
Quinoa
Beans and lentils
What does protein do?
Protein helps you recover, grow, and build muscle.
Where do I get protein?
Most of your protein should be from foods that are complete. This means that they have all of the building blocks necessary to make new proteins. A variety of incomplete proteins (in addition to complete sources) will also help you reach your daily protein needs.
COMPLETE Proteins
Beef, chicken, fish, pork
Eggs
Milk (regular or soy)
Greek/Icelandic yogurt, kefir
Cottage cheese, other cheeses
Edamame
Tempeh, tofu
OTHER Proteins
Nuts (cashews, peanuts, almonds, pecans, pistachios, etc.)
Seeds (chia, hemp, flax, sunflower, pumpkin, etc.)
Nut and seed butters
Beans, lentils, chickpeas
What do fats do?
Fats keep you healthy and energized throughout the day.
Where do I get fats?
Nuts/seeds
Fish
Full-fat dairy (cheese, milk, yogurt, etc.)
Avocadoes
Coconut
Olives
Oils and dressings (avocado, olive, walnut, canola, etc.)
C – CHOICES
Unless you’re responsible for all of your own grocery shopping and cooking, your nutrition choices are partially dependent on what’s around the house and placed on the table. That’s why it’s KEY to team up with your parents/guardians and make sure you are all on the same page! Along with the information on the SSDL Nutrition Tab, a sports nutrition coach or sports RD can be a valuable part of your support system as well.
Choose VARIETY.
Getting lots of different types of carbs, protein, and fats will help you get the big and small nutrients you need. If you find something you like, that’s great. Think about how you can mix it up each week. For example, if you love Greek yogurt, try it on whole-grain waffles with banana or as part of a berry yogurt bowl with granola.
Choose COLOR.
The only time you will likely need to limit your colorful foods is close to exercise. Otherwise, get in as many fruits and veggies as you can! Check out The Performance Plate Method to see how colorful foods fit within training and meet days.
Choose FUN!
Fueling doesn’t have to be boring. And it doesn’t have to be hard! If you don’t like a food the first time, think of how you can make it more fun. Hate spinach? Add into a smoothie! Big fan of pizza, but not sure about veggies? Try adding some cooked bell peppers or mushrooms! Check out the Recipes on the Nutrition tab for more inspiration.
Disclaimer: All nutrition information presented and written within SwimStrongDryland.com are intended for informational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other health-care professional. Each individual’s dietary needs and restrictions are unique to the individual. The reader assumes full responsibility for consulting a qualified health professional regarding health conditions or concerns, and before starting a new diet or supplement.
SWIMMER’S OF THE MONTH
Bronze - Luna Bonssdorf
Bronze+ - Oscar Sams
Silver - Amy Hoang
Silver+ - Rosemary Martin
Gold - Ben Tran
Gold+ - Leihi Wilson
Senior - Andrew Do-Ngo
Senior+ - Topher Ashmore
BIRTHDAY’S
06/22/2015 Elliot Nail Bronze
06/02/2015 Rosalia Ong Silver II
06/18/2009 Mason Ott Senior
06/18/2010 Cooper Rasmussen Bronze
06/27/2016 Jane Stokamer Bronze II
06/18/2015 Aiden Tsang Bronze
06/17/2018 Elijah Vences Pre-Comp
06/01/2011 Lael Vences Bronze II
06/25/2014 Ethan Yan Bronze II
06/18/2014 Na’raja Abdullah Gold
06/05/2014 Joseph Bui Pre-Comp
06/26/2012 Carson Caputo Silver I
06/30/2013 Scarlett Chen Silver II
06/27/2002 Brayden Franzke Coaches
06/09/2009 Elliott Huelshoff Senior
06/30/2010 Augustus Kahl Senior
06/25/2014 Alisa Korf Silver II
06/28/2014 Alekzander Ludka Silver II
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