Upcoming Pool Events

Friday, 6/14 - New Wave Happy Hour Music Night (6 to 8 PM) (See Below for Details)

Saturday, 6/15 - Swim Team - Orinda Country Club at OPP Swim Meet for 10 and Unders (approx. 8:00 to 11:30 AM, pool reopens at roughly 12:30 PM)

Saturday, 6/15 - Live Music, OPP Jazz Cult (6 to 8 PM) (See Below for Details)

Wednesday, 6/19 - Swim Team - Moraga Country Club at OPP Swim Meet (approx. 3 to 8 PM)

Thursday, 6/20 - Swim Team - Popsicle Day for Ministingers

Saturday, 6/22 - Swim Team - Meadow at OPP Swim Meet (approx. 8 AM to 2 PM)

Weekly Events


Atma Yoga on 6/16 (9:00-10:00)


Swim Team Practices and Lessons 6/17-6/21 (8:00-5:00)


Swim Meets Are At OPP...For Now


Many of you might have noticed the large number of meets that OPP is hosting during the month of June.  This is quite the odd scheduling occurrence, but it does mean that all of our July meets will be away--except for our Last Chance Meet.  Please take advantage of these home meets and come check out the team. They really are a lot of fun.

Updated Cafe Hours Ahead

Friday, 6/14: 11:00 AM - 5:45 PM

Saturday, 6/15: During the OPP Swim Meet, and then 12:30 - 6:00 PM

Sunday, 6/16: 12:00 - 6:00 PM

6/17 through 6/21: Regular Hours Anticipated, but Please Prepare for Potential Early Closing

Live Music on Saturday!

This Saturday night, we'll enjoy live music poolside beginning at 6 p.m. courtesy of the OPP Jazz Cult. Comprised of three OPP dads and a benevolent alien, this quartet thrives on the energy exchange of Jazz and Improvisation. Jake Blackshear channels Coltrane while Kyle Mueller and Christian Stratton (drums and Bass) layer the quiet fire with rhythmic and harmonic explorations, leaving Bill Wolter (guitar) to articulate, punctuate and sweep up the loose ends. It’s hip, it’s wild but not noisy, and it is most certainly not dance music. This is the soundtrack for a summer swim.


Practice Updates


With 2-3 meets a week on the horizon, we're going to be practicing hard this week!


9 and ups will be focusing on breathing (holding breath, when to breath, etc.), dives, and turns next week


8 and unders will continue to focus on good technique, work on breath control, and continue working on starts


Team Picture Day


Please put on your calendars the date and time for our team picture day!


Date: June 20th

Time: Individual photos open at 7:30 AM, and close at 11:00 AM.  Individual photos are first come, first serve.  The team photo is at 9:30--be there time is 9:15 AM.


Note: Ordering information will come out later.  Just be sure to carve out the time at this point.

The Pool Needs Your Help!


The OPP board is busy at work, but we have some future items that we need help with.  Each of the following items will require member feedback, with volunteers strongly encouraged to come forward.


1. We are in serious need of people to step up for the cafe after learning of the imminent departure of Chef Dave.  We'd love to find a way to keep it running throughout the summer, but that means we need volunteers or connections to figure out an option.  Please reach out to us if you happen to have a person or offer that you'd like to present to us.  We're all ears!


2. We need to start organizing a nominating committee for next year's OPP board elections.  If you are interested in contributing to this committee, please reach out to us by responding to this newsletter.


3. The board recently lost our special projects board member when they decided to leave the pool recently.  That means that we're on the lookout for a new board member.  It's unclear on when we will aim to fill this position, but if you have any background in commercial construction or architecture...and you want to be considered for a board position..let us know.


4. This brings us to the final item, and a big part of the special projects position.  As we've mentioned in a previous newsletter, we plan to have an open house day to show everyone renderings of and discuss options for the different construction plans for the pool.  We still need to sort some things out in order to set a date for this, but please do your best to try to attend this event when we do finalize plans.  Feedback is critical for us to make this pool the best that it can be!


Save the Date: OPP's Got Talent!


The evening of Thursday, July 17 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Orinda Park Pool will host a fun-filled Talent Show!


Do your kids sing, dance, juggle, play a musical instrument, excel at telling jokes, or wow with magic tricks? All school-age kids are encouraged to join in the fun. Orinda legend Steve Harwood will be on hand to be sure the show goes off without a hitch.


Register to participate here. Questions can be directed to carrimaas@gmail.com.

Summer Schedule

(Please Reference the Calendar on the OPP Website for the Swim Team Schedule)

Getting To Know Our Pool

Today we get to meet an amazing swimmer AND coach for OPP.  She is an all-league swimmer for her high school, a hero of many of our 6 and unders, and she is your author's youngest son's favorite person at OPP.  The amazing Coach Lily!


Q: In what city were you born?

A: Berkeley


Q: Where do you and your family currently live?

A: We're still in Berkeley!

Q: Do you have any other family members that swim at OPP?

A: I have a younger sister named Fiona that also swims for OPP


Q: How long have you been swimming for OPP?

A: Since I was 9--so 9 years


Q: Do you have any favorite strokes that you swim?

A: I love to swim the backstroke


Q: Is there anywhere else that you swim in the offseason?

A: I swim for Berkeley High School


Q: How long have you been coaching at OPP?

A: For 3 years


Q: What are your primary duties as a coach at OPP?

A: I help with coaching the 10 and unders.  I also teach learn to swim lessons


Q: Do you have any advice for new swimmers this year?

A: Keep practicing!  Even if something is hard now, you will get the hang of it!


Q: What have been some of your best memories at OPP?

A: Going to Stingray Ball, and getting to hang out with my friends all summer


Q: Do you participate in any other sports when it's not swim season?

A: I also play volleyball for my high school


Q: Do you have any hobbies or interests that you would be willing to share with us?

A: I really like baking, especially cookies


Q: What are your plans after graduation?  We know, not a weighted question at all!

A: Going to college...hopefully


Q: Have you ever traveled anywhere that was extremely memorable?

A: I visited Mexico.  It is so warm and beautiful.  The animals there are also SO cool!

If you have any questions or comments for us, please reach out to us at news@orindaparkpool.org.