Considering Orinda Aquatics

It is the sincere desire of Orinda Aquatics that participation in year-round swimming is a positive experience for each swimmer and that swimmers join for the right reasons.  The environment at Orinda Aquatics is a smaller, more intimate setting and we expect all members to be positive, team oriented individuals.  As such, the coaching staff will meet with each prospective swimmer and parent to discuss the nature of the program and the reasons for joining.  After that meeting, swimmers are offered a two-week tryout (please fill out the Try-Out Form in the documents section of the website and return it to Donnie) to experience the schedule, the commute, the workouts, the team, and the coaches.  After that period, if both parties feel that it is the right decision, a registration packet will be given to the swimmer or parent.

Because of the prevalence of summer league swimming, and the Orinda Aquatics Fall Program, we generally do not encourage swimmers under the age of ten to train year-round.  Through rec and Fall Swimming, younger swimmers can experience a very positive, social, team environment while learning proper technique and developing an understanding and comfort with competition.

The team has  an extensive history in guiding swimmers through the progression of summer league, Fall swimming, year-round swimming, into high school and on to collegiate swimming.

Regarding "who" should swim year-round, there are many myths.  Year-round swimming is not strictly for "stars".  To the contrary, it is less about ability and more about desire.  The vast majority of Orinda Aquatics swimmers, and USA swimmers across the country, begin from novice or intermediate swimming background.  Because of their desire to swim, most develop to higher levels. 

While summer league swimming is the best introduction to the sport of swimming, there are other swimmers who need other things.  Advanced swimmers may need to move to higher levels of training and competition, while some swimmers may be more distance oriented as apposed to the sprint nature of rec swimming.  Additionally, swimming has been a compliment to the sport of water polo as it adds conditioning, speed, and efficiency. 

Welcome to Orinda Aquatics

We are very proud of our team and our organization and very excited to have you as a member.  This is a very personal, “high character” environment and we are very confident that you will find value both in and out of the pool.  For new members, we assume that you have reviewed the information on the website, have met with a coach or attended the parent registration meeting in September, and are ready to register.  For returning parents, this may serve as a review.  The following information will outline the team’s philosophy with regard to family commitment and policies, as well as fees.  To maintain a special environment, we need the support of every parent.  Again, thank you for your decision to swim with Orinda Aquatics and thank you in advance for your support.

 

 

Documents

If the documents that you will need to register for the year-round team are not enclosed or attached, you can find them on the website in the “contact” tab.  Please read the following letter, complete the forms, and bring them to the Registration Meeting on September 8^th at 6:30 at the Soda Center , or turn them in to Donnie or Matt as soon as possible.  And please note, a swimmer or family may not register for the year-round team without meeting with a coach.

The Team Parent Role - Overview

 

 

We know there are vastly different intentions and commitment levels from the parent’s perspective.  Our view is first, that a swimmers decision to swim year-round is really a family decision, and a swimmers commitment is really a family’s commitment.  As such, we feel an obligation to the swimmer and the family and we ask for the families support in helping us pursue our long-term objectives for every swimmer and the team as a whole.  Our philosophy is that this experience is far more than simply a sport or an activity, but more an endeavor that helps develop the person through the extraordinary lessons offered through the sport of swimming.  Through this we hope to develop great athletes who place a premium on virtues like discipline, work ethic, leadership, team commitment, perseverance, and character, and who will develop skills that will be applied in college, careers, and life in general. 

In developing Orinda Aquatics we wanted to create a program that was founded on character and commitment, that simply put, would be the premier youth sports organization in the area, and a model for all swim programs. This can only be done with an extraordinary commitment by coaches, swimmers, and parents. With regard to the Orinda Aquatics parent commitment, it is primarily three-fold; Host Meet, Team Experience, and Financial.

·         Host Meet

As a United States Swimming team and a member of Pacific Swimming we are obligated, as are all teams, to host meets and provide competitive opportunities for local simmers.  While hosting a meet is a fundraising opportunity, it also, 1) brings swimmers and parents from other teams to our swim facility, one that we are very proud of, 2) brings our parents into the competitive process, and 3) it offers our swimmers competition in their own pool with no travel.  We ask that parents not only attend the meets and fulfill their shift commitments, but that they embrace the process of what USA Swimming and Orinda Aquatics stands for, and the quality of the team and its individual members. 

·         Experiential

As a part of our big picture philosophy, we want to create the best experience possible.  We realize that the great majority of the experience will come from daily training, swimmer development, friends, and the coach/swimmer relationship, but there are external areas that we feel can make this challenging venture more enjoyable and fulfilling.  This support will come in the form of Social or Team Support functions.  You will find a list of options in the Parent Support Form. 

·         Financial

Families are expected to pay monthly dues (which will remain at current levels through 2010) on time, as well as the annual family dues.  Family dues (monthly and annual) cover coach’s salaries and team administrative expenses.  The other financial component revolves around fundraising.   Our fundraising efforts are kept to a minimum and are primarily See’s Candy and eScrip, which each family is required to support.   

Dues/Fees

Below is the dues schedule as well as the annual family fee amount due in September or upon joining.  This fee is prorated after the first of the year.  Swimmers who are in 8th grade and below will train with the Junior Group.  Swimmers who are in high school will begin with the Senior 1-2 Group.  Coaches make the final decisions about training group assignments.  Please note that we pay our dues on an 11-month schedule from September 1 through July 1.  The dues schedule is below:

All swimmers are required to be registered with United States Swimming.  This provides liability insurance for your swimmer as he/she trains and competes, as well as when he or she participates in a sanctioned team event.  USA Swimming governs competitions, keeps a database of all swim times, and provides athletes with educational materials and information about the sport.  To initially register, please complete the form (included, on our website, or on the Pacific Swimming website) and write a check for $60 payable to Pacific Swimming Registration and return the form and check to your coach, and the team will send it to Pacific Swimming.  NOTE: Returning swimmers will need to re-register in December and not in September.  If you are registered with another USA Swimming Team, you will need to transfer your affiliation to Orinda Aquatics.  A coach can help you with this, or you can find the Transfer Form on the Pacific Swimming website.

Communication

The primary form of communication for Orinda Aquatics is email.  Please make sure that we have the proper email address for parents and swimmers.  The coaching staff will send out weekly updates and other important information.  Also, we recommend that parents and swimmers check the website for news and updates regularly.  Please feel free to contact a coach with any questions.  You can also email the coaches via the website – contact button.

Merchandise

The Merchandise order form is on the website, please review the required and optional equipment and merchandise.  There are also parent polo shirts for parents and other items available.  All new, and returning, members will receive (make sure sizes are on the registration form):

§         Team T-Shirt

§         Two Team Caps

§         A new (two-year) team suit

New swimmers will also receive a mesh equipment bag

Nike is discontinuing the current Warm-up and switching to a new Warm-up called “ Rio ” (in navy).  New swimmers should order the new jacket. 

 

 

 

Questions

We strongly encourage new parents to contact a coach or Board member as questions arise.

Join Checklist:

____ Annual Family Fee (please provide one check to Orinda Aquatics for both payments)
____ Monthly Dues

____ Swimmer Registration/Emergency Form

 

 

____ Parent Support Form

____ Parent Commitment Form

____ If new, a USA Swimming Registration Form & Check for $60 to Pacific Swimming.  Returning swimmers will renew in December.
 
To-do:

 

 

____ Register with eScrip

____ Order “required” Merchandise (form is on-line).  This is done directly with Norcal Swim Shop.

Again, we thank you for choosing Orinda Aquatics.  We know you have many choices and want Orinda Aquatics to be the best choice you make in term of committing your time, effort, and money.

Very sincerely,

The Orinda Aquatics Coaching Staff and Board of Directors




Other Programs Offered by Orinda Aquatics

In addition to year-round  swimming, Orinda Aquatics offers a number of other programs to compliment a variety of swimming needs.  All programs are managed and coached with the same overall philosophy, language, vision, and intent as the year-round team.  

The "Polar Bear" Fall Swimming Program: For summer rec swimmers who desire to continue training, developing their technique, and exploring other competitive opportunities.  The program has over 500 swimmers from over twelve rec teams and operated with sites in Orinda, Moraga (the Soda Center), and Lafayette.

 

 

High School Pre-Season: for high school swimmers to who do not swim year-round to train and prepare for their upcoming high school season.  This program has over 100 swimmers from several high schools in the community and operates out of the Soda Center .
 
Orinda Aquatics Master’s: A master’s team that operated out of the Soda Center .  This program is for adults at all levels and provides fitness, technique, and competitive opportunities. 
 
Spring Clinics: available to all swimmers.  Look for registration information on-line.