Member 2009–Present
Awards & Honors
2025: Inductee, New England LMSC Hall of Fame (Contributor)
2024: USMS Ted Haartz Staff Appreciation Award
2023: USMS Dorothy Donnelly Service Award
2023: NELMSC Distinguished Service Award
2016: NELMSC Contributor of the Year
National Governance (USMS)
2023–Present: LMSC Development Committee (Chair, 2024-2025)
2012, 2014–Present: Delegate, USMS House of Delegates
2021–2025: Colonies Zone Chair
2019–2021: Colonies Zone Vice Chair
2020–2022: Legislation Committee (Secretary, 2022)
2013, 2020–2021: Membership Committee
2019: Governance Committee
Regional Governance (NELMSC Board)
2019–Present: Membership Coordinator
2023: Interim Secretary
2015–2019: Board Chair & Assistant Registrar
2015: Interim Vice Chair & Open Water Sanctions Chair
2012–2015: Registrar
Certifications & Athletic Achievements
USMS Certified Coach (Levels 1, 2 & 3)
USMS Adult Learn-to-Swim Instructor
USMS Long Distance Open Water All-American (2019)
USMS Top 10 Swims: 5 Individual, 15 Relay
USMS Profile | Full Swimming & Governance Record
Douglas Sayles is a dedicated leader in the Masters Swimming community whose passion for building inclusive swimming communities has helped countless others discover the lifelong benefits of swimming.
Local & Regional Leadership
Douglas joined U.S. Masters Swimming in 2009 and was first elected to the New England LMSC Board of Directors in 2012 as Registrar. He later served as Board Chair and Membership Coordinator, and filled interim roles including Vice Chair, Open Water Chair, and Secretary. He has also led and contributed to special committees addressing grievances, COVID-19 relief grants, and championship event planning.
Event Directing & Charity Work
As an event director and organizer, Douglas has helped reinstate the annual Colonies Zone and NELMSC championship meets following the COVID-19 pandemic, establish new traditions like the New England College Club & Masters Swimming Meet, and coordinate the biennial USMS Boston Education Weekend. He also directs Swim Across America’s Rhode Island Open Water Swim — an 800+ swimmer charity event that funds cancer research — and has helped plan and promote several other charity swim events.
Coaching & Community Building
Douglas is a member of SwimRI and New England Masters Swim Club and is a USMS-certified Level 3 coach and Adult Learn-To-Swim instructor and a member of the American Swimming Coaches Association. He has coached workouts, organized swim clinics, fostered a unified SwimRI identity across venues, and coordinated many team-building swim and social events, such as the Stuffies vs. Steamers Meet, Hour Swim Heats, Friday Night Swim Fights, SwimRI Soiree, and Columbus Day 5K Ocean Swim.
National Impact & Recognition
At the national level, Douglas served as Colonies Zone Chair from 2021 to 2025 and as Vice Chair from 2019 to 2021. He has sat on the LMSC Development Committee since 2023, which he chaired from 2024 through 2025, and previously served on the Legislation, Membership, and Governance committees. He has presented at and helped plan the annual USMS Volunteer Relay, attended Leadership Summits, and represented New England in the USMS House of Delegates since 2012.
Douglas’ strategic, mission-driven leadership has been recognized with numerous regional and national accolades, culminating in his 2025 New England LMSC Hall of Fame induction.