April 2025 Newsletter
SAVE THE DATE:
April 13 - Clinic with Abbey Weitze (still space available)
April 18 - Friday Feast: Heritage Potluck
May 9 - Swim-A-Thon (team fundraiser, everyone is required to participate)
May 17-18 - Sextathlon (biggest home meet, everyone is expected to attend)
June 20-22 - Ted Walker Invitational meet in The Dalles, including optional team camping
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Hello from the Coaches
Swimmers of the Month
Official’s Corner
Swim Photos
Swim Tip
Question of the Month
Swim Outlet
Size Guidelines
Nutrition Tips
April Birthdays
Volunteer Info
Scholarship Applications: Applications can be found here and are due by April 18th. Funds are limited and granted to swimmers who have dedicated at least a full consistent year with DDAC.
First Friday Feast - April 18th
As we launch into the Long Course Season, we would like to invite you and your family to join us for a delightful evening filled with love, laughter, and delicious food! We encourage you to bring a dish to share that holds special meaning for you and your family. This is a wonderful opportunity to share not only a meal but also the stories behind your dish, celebrating the unique flavors and traditions that make us who we are. Let’s come together to learn about what makes each of us special, fostering connections and creating lasting memories. We can't wait to taste your culinary creations and enjoy a night of togetherness!
Swim-a-Thon will be on Friday May 9th! It is a fun and easy way to raise money for our team. Our athletes raise money by swimming lengths of the pool. Swimmers ask people in their community to pledge money per length, or make a flat donation in support of the team. More info coming soon!
Bottle Drop Give Earth Week Promotion
BottleDrop Give is celebrating Earth Day by hosting their 5th Earth Week Give campaign. Funds raised through Blue Bags dropped off between April 15 – 26 are eligible to earn a 20% match. Blue bags can be picked up at the DDAC front desk. Plastic, aluminum, and glass can all go in the same bag. Bring full bags directly to a BottleDrop location or one of many partner retailer locations any time between April 15 – 26 to earn a 20% match.
Thank you to our official team sponsor Arena
RESOURCES:
Volunteer Hours / Event Sign Up / OSI Time Standards / USA Swimming / DDAC Facebook
FROM THE COACHES
COACH JIM
Congratulations to all team members for a great short course season. The coaching staff can see improvement in all levels.
We now are moving on to the spring and summer season of our program. This is commonly called Long-Course. That is because the championship swim meets are all swam in 50 meter pools (Olympic sized) and not 25 yard sized pools, like David Douglas Aquatic Center.
The long course pool really emphasizes stroke efficiency and physical endurance. The wall is much further away so it must depend on your technique and aerobic capacity to maintain speed. In order to do this you must attend practices regularly. A high school aged competitive swimmer should be attending 5-8 practices a week in order to keep up with the competition. So look at your schedule, create a routine and keep your motivation through the spring. The dedication you display now will lead to great success in the summer.
As you have heard the David Douglas swimming pool is closing July 3rd for repairs. We are currently looking for alternative pools to hold practices. We have not finalized any pool time, but it looks like Gresham high school pool is our best option. The coaching staff will keep you up to date on where practices will be held in the month of July.
COACH BOBBY
FOCUS ON THE FUNDAMENTALS
In the pursuit of faster times and stronger finishes, it’s easy to get caught up in advanced techniques and drills. But no matter your level—whether you're a beginner or a seasoned competitor—one thing remains true: fundamentals are everything.
The foundation of speed is efficiency. Perfecting basic skills like streamline position, body alignment, breathing rhythm, and kick timing can shave seconds off your time—more than any flashy new drill or gear. These elements are the building blocks of every stroke.
Consistency over complexity. Practicing clean, technically sound laps might seem repetitive, but it’s where breakthroughs happen. Champions are made not just by how hard they train, but by how well they master the basics.
Reset and refocus. This month, challenge yourself (and your squad) to slow down, recheck technique, and rebuild from the ground up. Whether it's dialing in your dolphin kick or perfecting your flip turn, every small fix adds up.
Remember: Excellence in swimming doesn’t start with complexity—it starts with the fundamentals.
Thanks – Coach Bobby
COACH BRAYDEN
As we kick off the long course season, we want to remind you how important it is to set personal goals alongside the goals the coaches have set for our practices, weeks, and months. While we work towards team objectives, it’s just as important to focus on your own development and growth as a swimmer.
Maybe you want to improve your streamline, breakouts, underwaters, or refine your catch and kick. Or perhaps you have bigger targets in mind, like hitting a certain time, reaching a time standard, or breaking a team record. These personal goals provide focus, motivation, and a sense of accomplishment as you see progress over time.
Start by sitting down and setting clear, specific goals. Whether it’s shaving time off a personal best or fine tuning your technique, knowing exactly what you want to achieve will give you a roadmap for your training. Don’t forget to reflect on past goals and progress—improve upon them and keep striving to push yourself further.
Remember, setting goals isn’t just about hitting numbers—it’s about building the swimmer you want to be and developing habits that will take you to the next level. We’re excited to see you work toward these goals and watch you grow throughout the long course season. Let’s make this a great one!
VOLUNTEER INFO
Long Course Season Volunteer Hours
It takes a large parent involvement to successfully run a swim team and we have a lot of events and activities we need your support with this season. Volunteer hour requirements reset every season. For the Long Course Season you have from April - August to complete and log your volunteer hours. The volunteer hour commitment per swimmer is 10 hours per season. Each family is capped at 15 hours maximum volunteer hour requirement. If volunteer hours are not met, a $15/hour fee will be charged to your account at the end of the season. Reach out to andrea.guillet@ddacswim.org for any questions regarding volunteering.
April Volunteer Opportunities
Front Desk Volunteers needed from 5:00-6:15pm in April. Sign up here. Sign up for additional months coming soon via a new platform.
Sextathlon Planning Committee. This is our biggest home meet of the year and I could use a team of parents to help with planning. This is a really fun meet and has a lot of moving pieces. From soliciting donations, coordinating vendors, creating signage, getting intertubes, getting trophies, establishing an event logo, we have lots of options for everyone. If you are interested in joining the committee, please sign up here.
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. Is this you? Please reach out to andrea.guillet@ddacswim.org if you are interested.
Parent Orientation Coordinator - We want new families to feel welcome and informed when they join DDAC. There is a lot of information to navigate when you first start and we would love to have a warm, friendly person to help onboard new parents. Please reach out to andrea.guillet@ddacswim.org if you are interested. Training provided.
Stroke and Turn Officials - We are in critical need of more swim officials to ensure our meets run smoothly and that we are able to attend away meets. As we begin to prepare for next season, including the John DeRoest Memorial Sexathlon—our most important home meet—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 and enjoy some great benefits. Read more here.
QUESTION OF THE MONTH
Short Course vs Long Course
The main difference between the two courses is the length of the pool. David Douglas is a 25-yard pool and a short course pool. Mt Hood Community College is a 50-meters and a long course pool. Short course season runs from August to the end of March and is typically high school and college. Long course season begins at the end of March and ends in early August and is typically major international competitions.
A 100-meter race can be held in either pool. The obvious difference is the number of turns and glide times are doubled in the short course pool. Thus, you spend much more time under water. This is where you can increase your speed and reserve your energy. Swimming at the surface is slower than under water. Swimmers with strong leg strokes might do better in a short course while swimmers with strong arm strokes might appreciate the long course.
SWIMMERS OF THE MONTH
High School / Seniors – Nathan Nguyen - Nathan had a great high school season and completed it with a very successful senior champs meet. Great job Nathan
Gold – Eva Aschoff – Amazing Season, big time drops at Championships
Silver 2 – Noelani Doherty – State Medalist, Regional Qualifier
Silver 1 – Bosco Tsang – Great Work Ethic, pleasure to coach
Bronze 2 – Charlie Nelson – Incredible kid, super power to be able to “improve the moment”
Bronze 1 – Christina Nguyen – Very talented, getting faster everyday
SWIM PHOTOS
Capturing the Heart of DDAC – Over 1,000 Swim Photos!
DDAC families, I’m excited to share that I have over 1,000 incredible photos of your swimmers in action! These aren’t just pictures of kids in the water—they tell the story of determination, grit, and the passion that drives each race.
From the State meet for our 11 & Over swimmers to the final Short Course meet, these images capture more than just strokes and turns. They showcase the fire in their eyes, the raw emotion at the finish, and the relentless pursuit of personal bests. Every kick, every stroke, every push against the clock—it’s all there.
These photos are completely raw, with no editing—because I believe the truest moments don’t need filters. The water splashes, the exhaustion, the pure joy, and the fight in their eyes—this is swimming in its realest form.
Click the link on this page to access the Google Photos album, and feel free to download anything you love. Let’s celebrate our swimmers together!
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wRdpcRJQRVDYhVAc8
#DDACStrong #ChasingDreams #SwimFastLiveLoud #RawAndReal
SWIM TIP
Here's a breakdown of the breaststroke kick:
Starting Position:
Begin with your legs together, knees bent,
and feet flexed, with your heels close to
your buttocks.
Outward Movement:
Drive your heels out to the sides, turning your
ankles outwards and keeping your knees hip-width
apart to minimize drag.
Propulsion:
As your legs extend, push the water backward with
the soles of your feet, creating propulsion.
Inward Movement:
Bring your feet back together, pointing your toes, and return to the starting position.
Key Points:
Flex your feet: Keep your feet flexed throughout the kick to maximize propulsion.
Keep knees hip-width apart: Avoid letting your knees spread too wide, as this creates drag.
Focus on a powerful push: Concentrate on pushing the water backward with your feet rather than just kicking outwards.
Coordinate with the stroke: The kick should be timed with the arm pull to create a smooth and efficient stroke.
SWIM OUTLET
Support Our Swim Team & Save on Swim Gear!
Hey Swim Family!
Did you know you can help support our team while getting great discounts on swim gear? By shopping through SwimOutlet and adding our team to your account, a portion of your purchase goes directly back to our club! Plus, if you sign up for the SwimOutlet+ Membership, you’ll unlock exclusive deals, faster shipping, and additional discounts on top brands!
Shop now & support our team: https://www.swimoutlet.com/collections/ddac
Every purchase helps our swimmers succeed—thank you for being part of our swim family!
SIZE GUIDELINES
Did You Know That We Have A Team Gear Page?
You can buy team suits, clothing and gear. Anyone in the stands can show their support for our swimmers by buying t-shirts, sweatshirts, beanies, and more. Go to swimoutlet.com, click on teams, type in David Douglas and you will see the David Douglas Aquatic Club (or follow the link below). There you can select a group or a category. For every purchase you make, our team will get a small percentage. It’s a win/win for us all.
Every clothing item has a size chart link as shown. Some of their brands will calculate your size by answering a few questions. The location on where to measure these sizes is the same for men, women or kids. Parkas add the sleeve length and parka length measurement.
NUTRITION TIPS
Last month we talked about the basics of Nutrition during training. This month, we will talk about nutrition during competition and the off season.
COMPETITION
Competition can look differently for each swimmer. Sometimes you have only one race. Other times races will be separated by hours. A pre-race meal should be consumed one or two hours before warm-up. Between races consume sports drinks and/or carbohydrate snacks. Don’t forget to eat recovery proteins and carbohydrates. It is easy to drink a smoothie. If you are eating a meal between races, try to eat foods you know you tolerate well.
OFFSEASON
Offseason is a time to rest and allow your body to take a break from heavy training. You won’t be burning as many calories and needing as much energy. Your portion size should be reflective of that. Your carbohydrates will need to be reduced, protein will stay the same. Focus on eating nutrient rich fruits and vegetables. Sports drinks or foods are not necessary during the offseason.
A Quick and Easy Breakfast, Apple Surprise
You’ll need a green apple, ½ hearty (low sugar) muffin, tablespoon of butter
Toppings: granola, mixed nuts, berries, whipped cream
Cut the apple into small pieces, place in a bowl
Top with crumbled muffin and butter
Microwave for 2 minutes 30 second
Stir and add any or all toppings
APRIL BIRTHDAY’S
Leon Lohrmann-Riggs - Silver II - 4/20/2012
Travis Miller - Senior - 4/26/2010
Charlotte Robinson - Gold - 4/18/2013
Megan Simpson - Senior - 4/04/2008
Alyssa Bielman - Senior - 4/24/2010
Daphney Flores - Gold - 4/24/2012
Tierney King - Senior - 4/14/2010
Bryan Li - Silver I - 4/1/2013
BOARD MEMBERS
Robin Young – Co-Treasurer
robin.young@ddacswim.org
Andrea Guillet – Volunteer Coordinator
andrea.guillet@ddacswim.org
Jamie King – Member Representative
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