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Upcoming Pool Events

TONIGHT - Live Music 6-9pm + Catered Dinner beginning at 5:30pm (Limited Dinner Tickets May Still Be Available Here)

Saturday and Sunday, 8/31 and 9/1 - ATMA Yoga from 9:00-10:00 AM

Tuesday-Thursday, 9/3-9/5 - Fall Swim Team Practices Start!!!  Please be sure to RSVP if your child plans to attend.

Wednesday/Friday, 9/4 and 9/6 - Masters Swim from 9:00-10:15 AM

Saturday, 9/6 - Live Music - Hippy Hill Gang

Don't Forget to Register for Masters Swim When It Posts!

Masters Swim is back and the details are in!  It will begin on Wednesday, September 4th.  Practices will be held MWF, from 9:00-10:15 AM.  It will end mid-October when swim team practices end. 

TONIGHT: Reggae Night + Catered Dinner by Havana

The Cool Operator Band returns to OPP Friday, August 30 from 6-8 p.m.! Representing the modern era of Reggae music, Ryan “the operator” and his band blends many different styles of music in a reggae beat. Nicknamed "the operator" for the headset mic that he wears while he plays, Ryan is also known for his outstanding keyboard techniques which enable him to play as many as six parts simultaneously. Performing for 10+ years with numerous international recording artists, it will be a night you won't want to miss.

Beginning at 5:30 p.m., we are also offering a catered Caribbean dinner buffet from Havana in Walnut Creek, featuring:

Ropa Vieja (Shredded Beef) Empanadas
with Chipotle Crema

Twice Fried Plantains with Pineapple Salsa (vegetarian)

Kale Salad: White Onion, Avocado, Pomegranate, Sunflower, Pumpkin & Sesame Seeds, Soy Dressing (vegan)

Chicken Adobo: Grilled Marinated Chicken Thighs,
Mango Salsa

Seafood Paella: Spanish Rice Simmered with Saffron Broth with Prawns, Clams, Chicken, Chorizo & Mussels

Queso Fundido: Baked Shell Pasta, Roasted Poblano Pepper Cream Sauce, Panko Crust (vegetarian)

Black Beans marinated in Sofrito (vegan)

Crispy Tofu & Chayote: Roasted Carrots,
Sweet Soya, Fried Herb Salad (vegan)

$23 per person

There may be a few dinner tickets left -- here's the link to purchase.

Practice Updates

Fall clinics start next week! They'll run September 3 through October 24th.  Practices will be held Monday-Thursday.  For 6-8 year olds, practices are from 4:00-4:45, and for 9&Ups, 4:45-5:45. 

Don't forget to use your age as of June 15th, 2024 to decide which practice to attend. Some swimmers on the lower end of the age group breakdown may be released from practice 5-10 minutes early from time to time, depending on several factors. 6-year-olds may only participate if they swam on the team this past summer.

Save the Date: Hippy Hill Gang Return

to OPP on Saturday, September 7

You may have heard grumblings from neighbors about this group of OPP Dads that has been rockin’ the canyon for several years now. Well, they are back to serve up a fiery last batch of summer succotash just for you at Orinda Park Pool, so put on your rose colored shades, kick off your shoes and feel the love - Hip-Hippy-Hooray, it’s the Hippy Hill Gang.

Come jam poolside the evening of September 7 with your favorite OPP member-musicians: Jack Kelly, Christian Stratton, Joe Meckes, Michael Ginsburg, Jake Blackshear, and Kyle Mueller.

Fall Schedule (8/19-10/27)

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

We've got another local coach to meet this week!  She's actually our final coach that worked with ministingers AND the swim team members this summer--at least based on our list that we compiled at the beginning of the year. Today, we get to meet a rising coach in the ranks, coach Annie Strickler.  She's one heck of a swimmer, and one heck of a coach too!

Q: Where are you and your family from?

A: I was born and raised in Orinda, right up the hill from the OPP!

A: I’m a junior at Miramonte High School.

A: I’ve thought a little bit about potential colleges because my older sister just went through the whole college application and acceptance process, but I’m planning to really figure out where I want to go this during school year. Right now all I’ve decided is that I likely want to stay in California.

A: I’ve been on swim team since I was 5, so 12 years now. 

A: I started coaching as soon as I could, once I turned 15 and finished freshman year, so it’s been 2 years now. 

A: I was mostly a mini stingers coach during the summer but worked an occasional practice. I also worked as a coach during some meets, making sure the 10 and unders got to their races on time and were prepared to swim. Since the swim season ended I have been coaching learn-to-swim lessons after school. 

A: Yes, I’m excited to return as a coach next year!

A: I don’t do other sports outside of swimming but  I’ve been a member of the Miramonte Swim Team in addition to OPP.

A: When I’m not swimming or coaching I love reading, hanging out with my friends and singing for fun or as part of a cover band I’m in with a few classmates. I also love nature and hiking with my mom when we get the chance. 

A: I have an awesome squad of friends at OPP that I’ve made through seeing them every summer, even though many of us go to different schools. One thing I love about OPP is that you can not see someone all year, but as you get back to the pool it’s like no time has passed and your relationship is as close as ever. Once the swim season ends I have to say goodbye to Coach Zia and Coach Eva for the year because neither lives in Orinda, but it always feels natural and comfortable to reunite with them once swim starts up again.    

A: My favorite meet of the year is Intrasquad and I have great memories of going all out on dressing up for the red team one year, including fully red clothes, face paint, and hair chalk. On the swimming side of things, I remember entirely reworking my butterfly stroke with Coach Erin one year and it was really exciting when I finally fixed my rhythm and was able to drop some time. 

Q: Do you have any suggestions for our older swimmers that are trying to take it to the "next level" this winter? (Do you mean next summer? Let me know if I didn’t answer this question right)

A: Swimming is a difficult sport to stay in shape for because the pool closes for such a large part of the year. I recommend continuing aerobic exercise (cardio), like running, to preserve stamina and breath control/capacity. Also, start building good habits for technique at the very beginning of the swim season because the little things like good under-waters or flip turns can help you drop time, especially as an older swimmer. 

A: Coming to lessons consistently is important because when kids, especially young ones, have a long break between lessons, it’s much harder for them to retain everything they’ve learned. Also, it’s good to talk with a swimmer’s coach about goals for the summer so everyone’s on the same page. Finally, the swimmer needs to be excited to learn and have fun in the water!

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