 “Character is what you are in the dark.”
 “A man never discloses his own character so clearly as when he describes another’s.” Jean Paul Richer
 “Any fool can criticize, condemn, or complain, but it takes character and compassion to be understanding and forgiving.” Dale Carnagie
 “When it is all over, it’s not who you were. It is whether you made a difference.”
 “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.” Rick
Warren
 “Humility is the necessary veil to all other graces.” William Gurnall
 “All of your scholarship, all of your study…would be in vein if at the same time you did not build your character and attain mastery over your thoughts and your actions.” Mahatma Gandhi
 “The gem cannot be polished without friction.” “Adversity introduces a man to himself.”
 “I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team. I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team is the ultimate champion.” Mia Hamm
 "Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.” Samuel
Johnson

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Olympians
1.
Kim Vandenberg –UCLA/Campo/MTSC (800 Free Relay, 2008-Bronze Medal)
2.
Peter Varellas –Stanford/Campo/MTSC (Men’s Water Polo, 2008-Silver Medal)
Olympic Trial Qualifiers
1.
Amy Thurman – UCLA/Meadow
2.
Scott Lathrope – Stanford/MCC
3.
Heather White – CAL/Miramonte HS
4.
Tyler Angelo – Notre Dame/WC
5.
Kristen Lewis – UCLA (current Cal asst)/MCC
6.
Katie Arnold – UCLA/Springbrook
7.
McCall Dorr – SMU/Las Lomas
8.
Lauren Beaudreau – Richmond/Springbrook
9.
John Dorr – USC Post-grad/Las Lomas
10.
Lindsay Hart – Harvard/WC
11.
Artemis Daphnis – Arizona/Sleepy Hollow
12.
Katie Ure – UCSB/Sleepy Hollow
13.
Lindsey Sharp – Washington/Sleepy Hollow
14.
Zach Disbrow – West Point/Sleepy Hollow
15.
Steven Stumph – OA current
16.
Sven Campbell – OA Current
17 Andrea Ward – UCSB/OA
18. Chris Peterson – UCSB/OA
National Qualifiers
1.
Justin Chiles – Princeton/MTSC
2.
Scott Metcalf – Harvard/MTSC
3.
Jillian Ochs – UCLA/Las Trompas
4.
Jessie Krompier – Stanford/WC
5.
Bob Stinson – Arizona/Dewing Park
6.
Tyler Schlenker -USC/Miramonte rec
7.
Matt Lyon – CAL/Oakland
8.
Taylor Dahl – UCLA/Springbrook
9.
Aphrodite Daphnis – UCLA/Sleepy Hollow
10.
Quinn Fitzgerald – Yale/Oakland
11.
Megan Baumgartner – Stanford/Marin
12.
Elyse Corwin – Maryland/MCC
13. Sven Campbell – OA current
US Open Qualifiers
1.
Maggie Bever – Washington/Montclair
2.
Hope Thurman – UCLA/Meadow
3.
Dustin Luchini – UC Irvine/Rodeo
4.
Chelsea Pfohl – NYU/Miramonte rec
5.
6. Sarah Heath – Tufts/Springbrook
6.
Kelsey Lewis – UCSB/WC
7.
Chris Peterson – UCSB/Pinole
8.
Marisa Chang – Washington/OPP
Junior National Qualifiers
1.
Eric Tang – Columbia/Mira rec
2.
Darren Pagan – Columbia/Oakland
3.
Joe Unruh – Naval Academy/SHST
4.
Shane Tutass - Columbia
5.
6.
7.
8.
Kellen Ranahan – Cal Poly
Peter Varellas – Stanford (WP)
Allison Shasky – UOP/Rancho
Marc Cavallero – UCSB/MTSC
19. Andrew Schneider – USC/LT
20. Sophy Levy – UCSD/Oakland
21. Lindsey Vance – UCSB/MCC
22. Suzy Bagg – UCSB/MCC
24. Bryan Zenoni - DVC/MTSC
23. Peter Conte – CAL (WP)/Mead
25. Dani Lachowicz-
Dartmouth/Mead
26. Heather Prince – Colorado/MVP

9.
Megan Kelly – Pepperdine/SHST
10.
Jenny Lyons – UCSB/SHST
11.
Mark Shveyd – DVC/SHST
12.
Tanner Burke – Penn/LMYA
13. Alex Stuart – Ohio State/MCC
14. Caroline Lukins – OA/OCC
15. Jill Jones – OA
16. Andrea Ward – OA/San Leandro
17. Courtney White – OA current
18. Chris Leon – OA current
Collegiate Team Captains(so far)
1.Justin Chiles – Princeton
2. Zach Disbrow – West Point
3.Kristen Lewis – UCLA
4.Peter Varellas – Stanford (WP)
5.Annie Reding – Columbia/OPP
6.Marc Cavallero – UCSB
7.Suzy Bagg – UCSB
8.Maggie Bever – Washington
9.Lindsay Hart – Harvard
10.Becca Reingold – Middlebury
11.
Colin Scott – Boston College
12.Dustin Luchini – UC Irvine
13.Kent Holland – Brown (WP)
14. Megan Lynn – Carleton
15. Shelbi Luchini
27. James McLaughlin–W. Point
28. Jessica Ivry – Emory/Meadow
29. Max Parrague – UC Irvine/SH
30. Kris Kao – UC San Diego/OPP
31. Sean Haufler – OA/OCC
32. Chris Chuck – OA/Las Trampas
33. Shelbi Luchini – OA/Rodeo
34. Tommy Dowley – Cal/Rancho
35. Clay Sanders – Current/MRSC
36. Jeffrey Strausser – OA/SB
37. Robbie Ashby – OA/MCC

The 2011 High School swimming season concluded this weekend in super fast fashion at the North Coast Sectional Championships. At the fastest NCS in history, several records fell and the depth of the competition was at an all time high. Kudos to all swimmers that made it back for finals because the meet was blistering fast. OA swimmers were a part of four NCS record performances:
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OA swimmers paced their high school teams to top three finishes. Shannon Herman's
San Ramon Wolves took the women's title outpacing Megan Fuqua's Carondelet Cougars.
Campolindo was third in the women's competition. Congrats to all OA members of the
Campolindo Men's team which finished with its 7th straight NCS title.
Other OA Finalists: 200 Free: Courtney Whyte (11th), Megan Bicamong (13th),
Robbie Ashby (4th). 200 IM - Shannon Herman (8th), Emily Giambastini (15), Annie
Larsen (16) Chris Leon (7th), Albert Miao (10th). 50 Free: Erin Schoenfeld (11th). 100
Fly: Courney Whyte (10), Cassidy Fuller (15th), Annie Larsen (16th). 100 Free: Megan
Bicamong (6th), Jenna Haufler (12) Jeff Strausser (4th). 500 Free: Robbie Ashby (4th),
Clay Sanders (8th), Talbot Jacobs (14th). 100 Back: Hannah Grubbs (8th), Albert Miao
(9th), JD Ratchford (11th). 100 Breast: Shannon Herman (13th), Megan Freeman
(14th), Allie Light (15th) .
Relay Finalists: 200 Medley Relays: Sam Swinton & Erin Schoenfelf - Mira (6th), Emily
Giambastini - Acalanes (7th), Hannah Grubbs, Erica Mueller, Cassidy Fuller-Campo
(10th), JD Ratchford & Clay Sanders-Campo (8th). 200 Free Relays: Megan Bicomong &
Courtney Whyte - Campo (1st), Jenna Haufler, Erin Schoenfeld & Megan Howard-Mira
(7th), Gabe Ostler - Mira (6th). 400 Free Relays: Megan Bicamong, Padon Sivesind &
Courtney Whyte - Campo (3rd), Emily Giambastini - Acalanes (7th), Jenna Haufler &
Megan Howard - Mira (8th), Riley Kalbus - San Ramon (11th).

Sent five swimmers to US National Championships and twelve swimmers to Junior Nationals
Kim Vandenberg (former OA swimmer) wins the National Championship in the 200 Fly
Team finished in the top five at JO’s, Far Westerns, and Sectionals (all 100+ team meets)
Selected as a Silver Medal Club in USA Swimming’s Club Excellence Program (35 th in the nation)
Sent all 18 graduating Seniors to Collegiate programs including Stanford, UCLA, Cal, USC, Notre Dame, and
Columbia
Represented by four swimmers at the US National Championships this summer
Had three swimmers achieve the Olympic Trial qualifying time
Finished sixth at the Junior National Championships (a national meet for 18&under swimmers)
Finished fourth at the Pacific Swimming Age-Group Championships (60+teams)
Finished fourth at the Far Western Championships (100+teams)
Had the strongest club presence at North Coast with 15 All Americans and 30 top 16 swimmers
Sent ten of thirteen graduating Seniors to collegiate swimming programs including Stanford, Washington ,
UCSB, Richmond , Cal Poly, William & Mary, Dennison, and the US Naval Academy
Represented by four swimmers at the Olympic Trials in Long Beach - Kim Vandenberg 200 fly-5 th
Finished 2 nd at the summer long course Junior National Championships with over 140 of the top teams from across the country
Top 6 at Far Westerns (over 120 teams) and Pacific Swimming Age-Group Championships
Sent 90% of our graduating Seniors to Collegiate Swimming programs including Harvard, UCLA, NYU, West
Point, Duke, Washington, Arizona, and Boston College
Top 6 at the Pacific Swimming Age-Group Championships, Far Westerns, and Sectionals
Sent 12 swimmers to the USA Senior National Championships, placing 3 females in the top 20 in the 100 meter Butterfly and Scott Lathrope on the National Junior Team
Sent 15 high school graduates to swim for collegiate programs (90% of our graduating class)
Over 50 Orinda Aquatics swimmers qualified for North Coast
At NCS, OA had 52 top 16 swims, 33 top 8 (final) swims, and 13 top 3 swims, and 25 All-Americans
OA placed 4 swimmers in the top 5 of the women’s 100 Freestyle
1 st overall at the 2002 Long Course Pacific Swimming Championships
3 rd overall at 2002 SC Far Westerns Championships
1 st overall at the 2001 Speedo Midwest Sectional Championship
1 st overall at the 2001 Pacific Swimming Long Course Championships
Finished 1 st at the 2000 Short Course Far Western Championships
Placed 8 swimmers in the National Top 16 in 2001
Placed 16 relays in the National Top 16 in 2001
Placed over 30 swimmers in the Pacific Swimming Top 16
Two Olympic Trials qualifiers: Amy Thurman and Kim Vandenberg
Broke 6 Pacific Swimming Records and 1 National High School Record

Jordan Tomimatsu
Courtney Whyte
Chris Leon
Bishop O’Dowd
Fordham University
Swimming
Campolindo University of Notre Dame
Swimming
Sloan Caldwell Campolindo
Berean
Christian
Clay Sanders Campolindo
Padon Sivesind Campolindo
Jeffrey Strausser Campolindo
Caitlin Hamilton San Ramon
Eva Erickson Campolindo
Steph Wraith San Ramon
Callie Roberts College Prep
Claremont McKenna
Swimming
UC Santa Barbara
Swimming
Duke University
Swimming
Cal Poly (SLO)
Swimming
Brown University
Swimming
UC Davis
TCU
William and Mary
Club swimming
Duke University
Jr Nat’l SC Qualifier/Sr Nat’l SC
Scholastic All-American
Team Captain/Coach’s Award(s)
“Dragon Ambassador”
Jr National Qualifier/Sr Nat’l SC
Virginia Hall Award Winner
Swimming/Scholastic All-American
Sectional Qualifier
Double DFAL Finalist
Scholar Athlete
Jr National Qualifier/Sr Nat’l SC
Swimming/Scholastic All-American
High School Team Captain
Jr National Qualifier, NCS Team
Champion, Scholastic All-American
National Merit/Eagle Scout
Santa Clara International
Swimming/Scholastic All-American
National Merit, Coaches Award(s)
Jr National Qualifier/Sr Nat’l SC
NCS team champion/NCS Record
All American
Far Western Qualifier
Academic All-American Candidate
SRVHS Leadership
Santa Clara International
Far Western Qualifier
National Merit, AP Scholar (honors)
Academic All-American Candidate
Far Western Qualifier
Academic All-American Candidate
National Academic Award – Invited to White House (met President)

Dear Orinda Aquatics Swimmers, Coaches, & Families,
To say my two years as a member of this team have been transformative would be an understatement.
Just in quantifiable terms—times, standards, workout groups—I have progressed more than I could ever have imagined. Two years of training and challenging sets, more laps and yards than I care to count, they have pushed my physical limits to new heights. I have become fastidious with stroke technique, obsessive with perfect pacing, and capable of attacking even the most herculean of sets with a “warrior mentality.” But reflecting upon my time on the team, I come away with much more than an appreciation for the physical strength and ability I have developed.
There’s a quote Ronnie and Donnie often give us—by Theodore Roosevelt, one so simple and seemingly trite it is easy to dismiss it: “Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike.” In the midst of the twenty plus hours we spend a week swimming, the concept of strengthening one’s character might seems pretty abstract. It is much easier to focus on the tangible aspects of swimming—times, races, and championships—or even just to survive through practices. Yet ultimately, the outcomes of races, our victories or failures, do not really define our swimming careers or personal growth.
Rather, how we choose to spend our hours and hours of training defines us as athletes and people. Through our daily decisions to face challenges or flee from them, to support teammates or focus on ourselves, to make an extra effort or take a path of least resistance, we determine our own success and the success of the team. There’s a reason we have meetings about character every week and that each workout is printed with an inspirational quote. Each practice and set offers us the opportunity to grow more mature and disciplined. While getting stronger may be the immediate benefit of swimming, in the long run, it’s character growth and friendship that counts.
Thank you Ronnie, Donnie, Dave, Matt, and Marc for your commitment to help each of us reach our potential, both personally and athletically. Thank you for the quotes, for the lessons, for standing on deck in the rain and wind and below-freezing temperatures. You sincerely care about each member of this team, and have devoted immeasurable energy forming Orinda Aquatics into a positive, supportive community. Ronnie, your mentorship and support have helped open doors for me I never dreamt possible. Donnie, your guidance has challenged me not only to become a stronger athlete, but a more effective and compassionate teammate and person. Thank you to my team mates, your work ethic and passions for swimming are inspiring; your friendship and camaraderie, incredible.

Brooke Woodward
Jill Jones
Andrea Ward
Rachel Cleak
Ben Smith
Delia Salomon
Christy Tormey
Kayley Watson
Katy Yeh!
Miramonte
Berean Christian
Campolindo
Campolindo
Campolindo
Emory University
Swimming
Cal Poly SLO
Swimming
UC Santa Barbara
Swimming
Cal Poly SLO
Swimming
Chapman University
Swimming (club)
Berkeley High School Grinnell College
Swimming
Carondelet Duke University
Amanda Schlenker Campolindo
Hayley Russell
Lauren McGill
Jenny Hu
Micaela Hahn
Stephen Kingery
Lindsey
Mascheroni
Aly Levine
Alanna Hulburd
Joined summer 2010
Lizzie Peiros
Joined summer 2010
Campolindo
Athenian
University of the Pacific
Swimming
University of Texas
Cal Poly SLO
CPS
CPS
Campolindo
Miramonte
Campolindo
Tufts
Swimming
Carleton College
Swimming
University of San Diego
Crew
Lewis & Clark
Swimming
John Hopkins
Water Polo
Campolindo Loyola Marymount
Swimming
Berkeley High School Williams College
Swimming
Bentley High School Georgetown University
Swimming
Campolindo Stanford
Water Polo
Team Captain OA/High School
All-America (swim/academic)
NCSA Jr. Nat’l Qualifier
Team Captain OA/High School
Jr. National Qualifier/Sr. Nat’l SC
Virginia Hall Award Winner
Team Captain OA
Sr. National Short Course
All-American
Team Captain OA
High School AA
Jr. National SC
Team Captain OA
NCS Team Champion
Eagle Scout, Scholar Athlete
Team Captain HS/Far Western Qualifier
International Baccalaureate
Swam 2/3 of English Channel
NCS team champion
Nat’l Merritt (Honor Society/Aca. AA
Sectional Qualifier
Sectional Qualifier
Most Improved OA – 2009
Swazi Suit Project
Sectional Qualifier/HS AA
Hall Award Winner
Scholar Athlete
Far Western Qualifier
High School Team Captain
Athenian Wilderness Experience
Sectional Qualifier
Team Captain HS
Scholar Athlete
Far Western Qualifier
Team Captain High School
Mission Trips
Sectional Qualifier
Mission to Haiti
Team Captain High School
Sectional Qualifier
Scholar Athlete
Sectional Qualifier
High School AA/NCS team champion
Scholar Athlete
Sectional Qualifier
Scholar Athlete
NCS Top 16
NCSA Jr. Nat’l
Academic AA
International Baccalaureate
Sectional Qualifier
Academic AA
AA Water Polo/Academic
Top 100 East Bay Athletes

To the past, present, and future Orinda Aquatics swimmers and families,
You are so lucky to cross paths with Orinda Aquatics. No quote, story, or video could ever fully explain the feeling and deep connection that this team provides its swimmers. Through commitment to this team we learn pride and purpose, sacrifice and discipline, and love and passion.
It is extremely hard to write this letter because I am not ready to leave the team that has been my backbone through the past six years. Reflecting on my Orinda Aquatics swimming career, I will never remember my times, the grueling sets, or any important meets. Instead, I will always cherish the lifelong relationships that I built over my years on the team and how they have changed me.
In life, we gradually shape our identities through our reactions to the people and environments that surround us, so we truly become that to which we are most exposed. For this reason, every Orinda Aquatics swimmer is incredibly lucky to be influenced by the team’s philosophy, have access to the coaches’ wisdom, and have the constant support of extraordinary teammates.
Orinda Aquatics is not a regular team. The pool environment is a haven where passion, dedication, unity, and character thrive. Our team truly lives its mission statement. Some outsiders may call it cultish, but it is hard not to be extremely close with those with whom you share morals, goals, and a lifestyle. In a community where drug and alcohol use increasingly threaten teenagers, Orinda Aquatics is a sanctuary that encourages us to pursue athletics, academics, and personal growth at the highest level. When the academic, athletic, and social pressures of high school hit, I found myself splitting my time between studying and training at the pool. Where schoolwork often seemed tedious, swimming became the exact opposite. This team has taught me how to live a life of value and leadership, but as much as I have grown from my years on Orinda Aquatics, it may be an even greater privilege to watch how the team has changed the life of many individual team members.
Ronnie and Donnie: you are blessings to our team, our families, and our community. No amount of description could truly do you justice. You are the cornerstone of the true purpose of athletics. Thank you for passionately showing us life’s most important lessons and changing our lives selflessly and humbly. Thank you for teaching us humility, integrity, compassion, respect, honesty, work ethic, and commitment. Although you convey your wisdom through talks, quotes, stories and videos, we learn the most from watching how you live your daily lives. I could not have asked for better mentors, role models, and coaches, and I know my friendships with you will last forever.
As my last summer weeks pass by, it’s hard not to wish for a few more days, weeks, or even years to spend with the team. My largest fear as I head off to college is that I will not find a group of people who matches my
Orinda Aquatics family. However, I know that the relationships formed on this team are ones which will last a lifetime and my class graduating means another fresh group of swimmers who are lucky enough to spend their high school swimming career with Orinda Aquatics.
To the teams past swimmers: thank you for being the framework for an incredible program and setting the standard for the years to come. To the team’s present swimmers: enjoy the time you have left on Orinda Aquatics, soak up the lessons there are to learn, love everything for what it is and how it can help you as a person, and remember that your swimming career is not defined by your time on the scoreboard. To the team’s future swimmers: I envy that you are just beginning your Orinda Aquatics journey and I wish you the best, continue to set the standard for the years to come.
Thank you Orinda Aquatics. From the bottom of my heart, my daily life will not be the same without you, but your message will always guide me. I will miss you.
Love, Brooke Woodward

Class of 2011:
Courtney Whyte
Jordan Tomimatsu
Chris Leon
Sloan Caldwell
Padon Sivesind
Eva Erickson
Clay Sanders
Jeffrey Strausser
Caitlin Hamilton
Steph Wraith
Callie Roberts
Notre Dame (swimming)
Fordham (swimming)
UC Santa Barbara (swimming)
Claremont McKenna (swimming)
Cal Poly (swimming)
TCU
Duke University (swimming)
Brown University (swimming)
UC Davis
William and Mary (club swimming)
Duke University
Class of 2010:
Brooke Woodward
Andrea Ward
Jill Jones
Jenny Hu
Christy Tormey
Amanda Schlenker
Rachel Cleak
Aly Levine
Hayley Russell
Ben Smith
Katy Yeh!
Micaela Hahn
Delia Salomon
Lauren McGill
Stephen Kingery
Lindsey Mascheroni
Alanna Hulburd
Lizzie Peiros
Emory University (swimming)
UC Santa Barbara (swimming)
Cal Poly (swimming)
Tufts (swimming)
Duke University
UOP (swimming)
Cal Poly (swimming)
Williams College (swimming)
University of Texas
Chapman (swimming, club only)
Lewis & Clark (swimming)
Carleton (swimming)
Grinnell (swimming)
Cal Poly
Johns Hopkins (water polo)
LMU (swimming)
Georgetown (swimming)
Stanford (water polo)
Class of 2009:
Tommy Dowley Cal Berkeley (swimming)
Chris Chuck UC Santa Barabara (swimming)
Molly Howland UCLA Honors Program
Jeremy Chang UC San Diego - Medical School Program
Shelbi Luchini Washington State (swimming)
Isa Guardalabene Dartmouth (swimming)
Caroline Lukins Columbia (swimming)
Jake Reingold Franklin & Marshal (swimming)
Sean Haufler Yale (swimming)
Olivia Alva Washington State (swimming)
Stephen Loomis Pepperdine (water polo)

Bret Lathrope UCLA (water polo)
Class of 2008:
Kendall Weikert Dartmouth (swimming)
Shane Tutass Columbia (swimming)
Nik Block NYU(swimming)
Jack McMahon University of New Orleans (swimming - Captain)
Nate Erickson Air Force Academy (swimming)
Vinnie Liang UCLA (honors)
Molly Sharp University of Hawaii (swimming)
Zoe Swank UC Santa Barbara
Emily Vance James Madison (swimming)
Haley Strausser Brown University (swimming)
Roger Ward DVC/University of the Pacific (swimming)
Brian O’Hara DVC (swimming)
Chris Peterson UCSanta Barbara (swimming)
Scott Pierce DVC (swimming)
Class of 2007:
Kelsey Lewis UC Santa Barbara(Swimming)
Dustin Luchini UC Irivine(Swimming)
Sara Davidson Williams College(Swimming)
Becky Penskar Northwestern University
Ben Forster Claremont McKenna (Swimming)
Chelsea Pfohl NYU(Swimming)
Max Parrague UC Irvine(Water Polo & Swimming)
Shanna Hoversten Claremont McKenna(Swimming)
Michelle Estrada UC Santa Cruz(Swimming)
Chelsea Regan NYU (Swimming)
Kendl Sankary UCLA
Maddie Kennedy Ithica College(Swimming)
Lindsey Watson Mission to Africa (Good luck Lindsey!)
Katie Bever Azuza Pacific
Class of 2006:
Tyler Angelo Notre Dame University (Swimming)
Anya Disbrow Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Gracie Espinoza Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (Swimming)
Kelley Fernbacher University of California at Santa Barbara (WP)
Kent Holland Brown University (Water Polo)
Kris Kao University of California at San Diego (Swimming)
Jesse Krompier Stanford University (Swimming)
Megan Lynn Carleton College (Swimming)
James McLaughlin US Military Academy at West Point (Swimming)
Tyler Schlenker USC (Swimming)
Andrew Schneider USC (Swimming)
Nicole Schrakamp University of California at Santa Barbara
(Swimming)

Mark Shveyd Diablo Valley College (Swimming)
Nick Stefan Southern Methodist University (Swimming)
Eric Tang Columbia University (Swimming)
Hope Thurman UCLA (Swimming)
Katie Ure University of California at Santa Barbara (Swim)
Heather White University of California at Berkeley (Swimming)
Class of 2005:
Lauren Beaudreau University of Richmond (Swimming)
Jon Behnke Denison University (Swimming)
Marisa Chang University of Washington (Swimming)
Charlotte Labdon University of California, Santa Cruz (Swimming)
Scott Lathrope Stanford University (Swimming)
Kellen Ranahan Cal Poly (Swimming)
John Savage College of William & Mary (Swimming)
Alex Shakibnia UCLA
Lindsey Sharp University of Washington (Swimming)
Zach Snyder University of Miami
Joe Unruh United States Naval Academy (Swimming)
Betsy Varellas University of California at Santa Barbara
Taylor Watson Pepperdine University (Water Polo)
Class of 2004:
Sylvia Beck US Military Academy at West Point (Swimming)
Maggie Bever University of Washington (Swimming)
Claire Coughlan Loyola Marymount (Crew)
Lindsay Hart Harvard University (Swimming)
Brad Hartstein New York University (Swimming)
Jason Kawasaki Princeton University (Swimming)
Matt Martin Stanford University
Vanessa Metcalf Tufts University (Swimming)
Jillian Ochs UCLA (Swimming)
Jesse Sandberg Duke University (Swimming)
Colin Scott Boston College (Swimming)
Bob Stinson University of Arizona (Swimming)
Class of 2003:
Katie Arnold UCLA (Swimming)
Tanner Burke University of Pennsylvania (Swimming)
Tim Cherry UCLA (Water Polo)
Zach Disbrow* US Military Academy at West Point (Swimming)
Mark Dorshkind University of Washington
Ian Fraser University of Miami, Ohio (Swimming)
Sydney Hodgkinson University of San Diego (Swimming)
Jessica Ivry Emory University (Swimming)
Eva Johnson Tufts University (Swimming)
Ashley Knapp University of Miami (Swimming)
Daniel Mahoney George Washington University (Swimming)

Becca Reingold* Middlebury College (Swimming)
Caitlin Scott Mount Holyoke College (Swimming)
Emily Sharp Pepperdine University (Swimming)
Mike Theisen University of Michigan
Amy Thurman UCLA (Swimming)
Kevin Wecht Harvard University
Class of 2002:
Nicolas Beck US Military Academy at West Point (Swimming)
Holly Farlin University of California, Berkeley (Water Polo)
Megan Kelly Pepperdine University (Swimming)
Alli Lathrope Claremont McKenna College (Swimming)
Sophie Levy University of California at San Diego (Swimming)
Lindsay Nordin San Diego State University (Swimming)
Lizzie Straw University of Denver (Swimming)
Kim Vandenberg UCLA (Swimming)
Peter Varellas* Stanford University (Water Polo)
Class of 2001:
Justin Chiles* Princeton University (Swimming)
Taylor Dahl University of California, Los Angeles (Swimming)
Quinn Fitzgerald Yale University (Swimming)
Kristen Lewis* University of California, Los Angeles (Swimming)
Scott Metcalf Harvard University (Swimming)
Katie Miller University of California, San Diego (Swimming)
Allison Shasky University of the Pacific (Swimming)
Daisuke Watanabe UC Santa Cruz (swimming)

You have to be “fast”
Over one third of OA swimmers are at the novice to intermediate level
It is too hard
It is too serious/It is not fun
We want this to be a positive life experience. We try to position every aspect of the program with that in mind. However, discipline does breed very positive byproducts and life skills. Most of our swimmers view their teammates as family, and value being a part of a positive, high-character, athletic group.
Our program is based on technique and “efficient” training for the long term, and not yardage. Our objective is to develop swimmers in a positive environment and not “burn them out”.
The coaches only care about the “fast” swimmers
The coaches care about everyone that is sincere and cares about the team and the integrity of the program. Times have nothing to do with it.
and OA a positive and constructive addition to their training. We encourage water polo players to consider themselves as “aquatic athletes”.
I am not fast enough to swim in college
I am a water polo player
Many OA swimmers have played water polo. Elite athletes like Peter Varellas (MTSC,
Campo, Stanford, Olympic Team) and Michael Sharf (OPP, Miramonte, CAL, US National
Team), and most recently Max Parrague (SH, MHS, UC Irvine) found year-round swimming
There is a college team for virtually every swimmer. From Division I to Division III, we have helped 90% of our graduating swimmers find great academic and swimming fits.
Please see the College tab on the website for a listed of school/teams that OA swimmers have been a part of.
If you’re not a successful rec swimmer, you cannot have a successful swimming career (speed vs. endurance, talent vs. training)
We have had many “mid level” rec swimmers develop into very competitive high school and college swimmers. Some could not adapt to the speed orientation of rec. swimming but adapted well to mid-distance races.
Year-round swimming is too time consuming/takes time away from academics
To the contrary, year-round swimming has proven to enhance academic performance through the self-discipline, time management, and collegiate focus that swimmers develop.

(thoughts from Parents and Swimmers who have made the switch)
Recreational Swimming in our local swimming community is, for the sake of any other word, huge. For many families, it is what they "do" in the summer and may even be part of their identity. We recognize that for many, leaving their local swim club is a very difficult decision as it might seem as though it is almost a life style change.
Perhaps that is why the expression is that a swimmer has "gone year round"? However, if a swimmer likes to swim, it can be a life changing and life enhancing experience to continue in a sport that they love.
The following are excerpts from several parent/parent or adult/swimmer conversations with OA families where they were asked about their own transition experience to Orinda Aquatics, what their initial reservations (if any) might have been, and what they have observed now that they have gone through the process. We hope that this information from others who have "been there" is helpful. As always, if any prospective family would like to talk to or ask questions of existing OA families, we are happy to arrange that.
One Parent Comment re: Transitioning from Rec Swimming
"Recreational Swimming is a great place to start to get a taste of the sport, and the social aspect can’t be beat. However, as time goes on, if your child seems to really like swimming (whether or not they are superstars), you should give them an opportunity to swim at a different level and try OA. I truly believe that the most important part about joining a year-round program is the love of the sport.
Early success or failure at the rec level is not much indication of how they will do at the USA level, but if they truly love the sport they will be happy and successful no matter what their level of swimming.
The transition from rec to year-round is actually much easier than people think. The beauty of it is that the meets and parent responsibilities are spread out over a 12 month period. There are plenty of times for family vacations during the year and it is so nice to have flexibility in a schedule. When you begin with the junior program, you do not have to come to practice every day so the time constraints are not too rigorous. Another benefit of year-round vs. rec is that “all your eggs are not in one basket”, i.e. the OMPA
Championship meet. We have all seen children in tears because they “goofed up” their one race at that very stressful meet. They have practiced for 2 months all to swim one or two races and if they are less than successful, they do not have an opportunity to “make good’ for another whole year. The pressures in this community only make it worse for those kids who are up on the blocks in front of a thousand or more of their “friends and neighbors”. If they have a good race, fine, but if they don’t it is pretty horrifying. It truly is the big fish in a little pond syndrome. Once you go to USA Swimming, all of a sudden you are in an ocean of swimmers and you can be yourself, work hard, and always know there will be another meet just around the corner for you to try again.
The friendships that the team develops are some of the strongest your child will have. As they mature in the program, they all share a common bond of working hard, putting in long hours, and supporting each other. Only other swimmers understand not to call after nine in the evening, (as they are all in bed). It takes a certain type of teenager to have the discipline of rising pre-dawn to swim, and they form a very tight bond with each other. It also provides a support network for much more than swimming. Being a teenager is tough these days, and they really rely on each other to help them get through the good times and bad.
It seems as if the swimmers who join the program at the Junior Group level are much better prepared for the transition to the Senior
Group. The Senior Group is a much more rigorous workout and if you are joining as a new freshman and also trying to adjust to the demands of High School, the transition can be bumpy. Again, I have observed that the group who “rose up” together from the Junior
Group to the Senior Group are a very tight group of supportive friends, whether girls or boys.
Finally, I think that USA Swimming provides an opportunity for all levels of swimmers. In particular, OA provides an environment of support, respect, and encouragement. The coaching staff is not only incredibly gifted and talented, but more importantly is genuinely concerned with guiding the swimmers to be strong high-character student-athletes.
Purely from a parent side, I can honestly say that I have made many good friends with other year-round parents. We choose to have our social fun other places than a Wednesday night meet, and I have also made friends with parents form several other teams.
The most difficult part of year-round swimming is taking that “dive” from the edge of rec swimming. "
Parent of New Junior Group Swimmer (parent was a competitive high school athlete):
"In talking to my child during 6 th grade as to what she might want to do with her swimming (she isn’t a “standout swimmer but loves to train”), she said that she wanted to swim in high school and if possible, college. So, in backing up the train, we thought that joining OA would help her achieve her goals. We conferred with our rec club coach who said she was definitely ready but wanted to make sure our daughter understood that the benefits wouldn’t be reaped for probably 2 years. It is different from rec in that regard. In rec, many parents and swimmers expect to be getting best times at every dual meet. But, in year round, it is a different. The swimmers are competing tired and it may take a long time for a swimmer to begin to realize the effects of the training. A friend of ours also shared that she thought it better to transition to year round during the middle school years (the friend’s oldest had joined OA as a freshman).
Freshman year in HS is hard enough (transitioning socially and academically) without the transition to year round training/workouts layered on top.
As a competitive non-aquatic high school athlete myself, I was looking for something particular in both a team and coaches as this was something that was missing in my own athletic experiences. We love the philosophy of OA which is a program centered around the kid: it is kid driven and kid motivated. I am driving my child to practice because she wants to be there and not because I want her to be or because she has to be there. The coaches are totally supportive of our daughter and nurturing too. One thing we really really appreciate

is that OA is process oriented as opposed to product oriented. The coaches genuinely want the kids to continue to love the sport and to not burn out. They want the kids to have something left after high school and to be able to enthusiastically swim in college if they want to and to continue to improve. They are more concerned about the kid as a whole person than their times in the pool. They are more reflective and take the time and energy to help develop the whole child. Because of this, they coach in an authentic and very real way.
They build a safe place for these kids, offer themselves as mentors in these kids’ lives and are accessible to their swimmers. They celebrate each swimmer as an individual and do not allow space for prima donnas. If a family is looking for their child to peak in high school and to train as hard as possible, then there are definitely programs out there that they can find. But, as a family, this isn’t what we were looking for and we believe that OA is a great fit. The coaches understand that it isn’t good for an athlete’s identity to be totally wrapped up in who they are as a swimmer and that it is more important to strive to be a good person, to do well academically, to respect others and to learn to make good decisions. The kids at OA are not only FAST but they are extremely mature, good and well rounded people. This is a way different experience than I had as a student athlete as my name was synonomous with my sport. It was my identity. We think it is far better to be not only athlete but a complete and balanced person.
Overall, year round swimming at OA is a very different beast than rec swimming. This does require a learning curve for the parents as well as meets are different and your child is the one that has the relationship with their coach. No longer are best times expected at every meet, no longer is there one big meet at the end of the season, no longer are you memorizing times and standards. In our opinion,
OA has the right mojo! I feel like if more people in our community really understood what an experience OA was offering to the local swimming community, the flood gates would open."
Comments from a current high school freshman boy re: transitioning to Year-Round:
"Every year since I was 6 I did OA Polar Bears; tried USS Fall Meets when I was about 8 or 9 and really liked them. Took OMPA exemption when I was 11 (6th Grade). After Far Westerns, I really wanted to stay but Coach Matt and my Mom made me go back to Sleepy Hollow
(rec swimming) for one more year since she was the president of the swim club. I rejoined in September of seventh grade when I was 12 and have never regretted it since. The junior group is a really good place to start and prepares you well for Senior swimming, plus it is fun.
The only reason my transition was a little bit difficult was because I was still doing other sports. I was not used to swimming as much as we were. I kept doing other sports until the end of 7th grade, when I really focused in on swimming. It was never difficult to come though and people in the junior group made me feel really welcome even though initially I was not as committed as others. In fact, what surprised me the most was how receptive the Junior Group swimmers were to me when I first joined. It is very inclusive.
I like everything about year round swimming vs rec swimming. I enjoy longer distances as opposed to 50 yard sprints. Plus there is always another time standard to work towards and always another meet to look forward to. My closest friends are my OA teammates.
I was asked: If you were recruiting someone, what would you tell them?
· If you really like to swim, there is a lot more out there, both in friendships and swimming opportunity, than three months of stressful
Rec sprinting. The kids are really nice, the coaches are excellent, and swimming improvement is a given. There is nothing to lose if you just try it out."
Comments from a swimmer who joined OA in 7 th grade: fact, I loved it so much that while I originally wanted to join OA for my 11
"The hardest part of the transition was actually making the decision and telling my friends that I was going to try year round. I had done
Polar Bears/Fall Meets since I was six but I really didn’t like that freezing cold December meet. I loved my rec team. It was a blast. In th year, at the very last minute I decided to stay one more year swimming rec. This actually worked out really well. I joined OA when I was 12 (7 th grade) and because I was at the top of the age group, I was able to qualify for some of the travel meets with the team. This was really really fun and I loved spending 5 days with my teammates swimming and going shopping at the Dollar Store and to lunches and dinners together. And then, when summer rolled around, my sister was still swimming rec so I went to every single one of her meets. I also went from OA workouts directly to my rec pool and played tennis and hung with my friends every day. The only difference was that we weren’t doing swim workouts together! I spent the entire weekend at the OMPA too! I really had the best of both worlds.
When I joined in 7 th grade, so did many other kids my age and we became best friends. We all support each other both in and out of the pool and it is great to have friends from so many different schools. I continued to play volleyball at school and ski on weekends and lots of the kids continued with other sports too. You get out of swimming what you put into it. You aren’t benched or not entered in meets because you didn’t go to workouts. But, after a year, I realized just how much I loved OA and I dropped my other sports. I really love that there are so many different events to try and I really enjoy the longer ones. I also really like long course season. My best friends are my OA friends and my coaches are the best! My parents always told me that I could always go back to rec swimming, but I can’t imagine why I would ever want to. There is so much less pressure in year round. I felt like I was in a fish bowl in rec and that there was so much pressure and so many comparisons. It is just a different mentality in year round. People aren’t screaming and yelling on the sidelines, parents aren’t coaching their kids, nobody is expecting best times at our meets (the guys keep getting bigger so they often do get best times but not the girls as they get older) unless they are shaved and tapered but we get to do that 3-4 times per year so there is always another chance. Plus, my teammates cheer for me and I love cheering for them. Our meets are a blast as we get to hang with each for the entire time. OA is FUN!
Oh, and the big summer meets are over at the end of July, so we get the whole month of August to go on vacation!"
Junior Group Swimmer now in Senior Group:
"I have to say that I was apprehensive about leaving my rec team (OCC) as it had been such a positive experience. I was really worried that workouts would be harder and I was really really concerned about making new friends. I also wondered if swimming year round would get “old” and I was concerned about morning practices. I should never have been worried. The transition was GREAT! There were lots of other new kids when I joined in September (we had a big carpool going from Orinda) and I’m really glad that I tried Year Round as opposed to Polar Bears because I really got to try out the team that I was thinking of joining. The Polar Bear swimmers have different workouts. Anyway, the Junior Group really doesn’t have morning practices and when you are in the Senior Group, it is just a couple of mornings a week and there are many weeks where there aren’t any. I was worried that my high school life would be day after day of morning practices and afternoon practices and that it would get to be too grueling. It isn’t like that and you transition it slowly anyway.

One of the reasons I love year round swimming is that there are so many different events and so many different opportunities. It really doesn’t get old as there is Fall swimming, high school swimming (in the Senior Group), long course, different length events and the travel meets are great. I also really love having friends from different schools.
Thinking about what I have learned: perserverance and dedication. I have learned that year round swimming is a different mentality. At rec, the focus always seemed to be on best times. At OA, we will go to meets and swim really really tired and just work on turns or number of strokes per lap and the times may not really be all that important. Some kids swim great at midseason meets but others don’t swim well tired and wait until they are shaved and tapered and then it is so exciting! The pool deck is a totally different vibe than in rec swimming. The meets, even the big championship meets, are so much lower key. In the big picture, there is always another meet.
I have also learned that at least on OA, there is no intrateam competition. There are so many different events and all my teammates are really encouraging. No one stands out as a “superstar” and the entire team is supportive of everyone else. We all get along. "

During June 2011, Orinda Aquatics offered its first "Character Camp" open for swimmers aged 10 and over. It was run by Ron and Don Heidary, Head Coaches and Founders of
Orinda Aquatics and Head Coaches of Campolindo and Miramonte High Schools. The Camp was organized to cover two tracts: one “wet” and one “dry” - a blend of classroom leadership discussion, as well as pool sessions which integrated technique and strategy with highcharacter training . Held at the Soda Center in Moraga, the camp ran during the afternoons of the week of June 20th. In addition to their in-water clinics, there was also classroom time where each participant received motivational materials in addition to a cap and t-shirt.
The wet or aquatic track - covered areas critical to swimming development:
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High-Character Training – Understanding and discipline
Technical Fundamentals – Short axis and long axis balance and progressions
Training/Racing Around the Walls – Starts, Turns, Finishes, Streamlining
Race Strategy – Pace, Breathing
The dry or personal side - covered non-swimming areas critical to swimming, athletics, and personal growth:
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Putting Character First in Swimming and in Life (Attitude and Effort)
Goal setting and the Big Picture (plus swimming and water balance)
Support Networks – Relationships with Parents, Coaches, and Teammates
The Swimming World and its Role in Your Life: High School, USS, Collegiate Swimming
All net proceeds were donated to support Orinda Aquatics’ Charitable Swaziland,
Africa Swimming Program.

WHICH ARE THE BEST CLUBS IN USA SWIMMING?
The Club Excellence Program is a voluntary program that identifies and recognizes USA Swimming clubs for their commitment to performance excellence. This program strives to meet the following objectives:
 Promote the development of strong, well-rounded age group and senior swimming programs that produce elite 18 & under athletes;
 Provide recognition and resources to motivate and assist member clubs to strive for the highest ideals of athlete performance.
This program’s goal is to embrace leadership and excellence in up to 200 of USA Swimming’s top member clubs. The program provides grant funding and recognizes the club development system as integral to achieving excellence.

th

I just wanted to tell you how fantastic of a program OA is. I came to this team from an environment that could not have been more different, and before I made the switch I was thinking about giving up on swimming entirely. Your coaching, and the amazing fellow swimmers I met, helped to remind me why I fell in love with the sport in the first place. I just wanted to thank all of you for giving me the opportunity to enjoy swimming again. I am so glad that I came to OA. The program you have is truly incredible, and I'm grateful for having been a part of it.
OA Graduate
I wanted to once again say how much we appreciate your coaching and leadership. I've shared similar thoughts with you before, but feel that expressions of affirmation and gratitude are always worth repeating.
Our child absolutely LOVES swimming...and we can thank you and your program for that! We continue to see confidence grow and the development of strength and skill in the water, as well as the deepening of friendships with her teammates. The team became is a safe haven and that is a tribute to your commitment to truly putting character first. Thank you for making our job as parents so easy in what could otherwise be a turbulent and difficult time - we continue to marvel at the competent and joyful young adult our child has become - THANK YOU!
OA Parent
"Knowing that my son has such a team of caring, professional, and motivating coaches in his life brings me a sense of comfort. It is an honor to be a part of OA, and I believe that I will never find another organization that will have such a positive influence on our family."
OA Parent
Coach Don and Ron (and all OA coaches and swimmers),
I have yet to visit an OA practice but I could envision and appreciate the focus, pride, and strength of character of the OA swimmers in the moment displayed on the magazine cover. I know OA swimmers set a wonderful standard managing, embracing, and ultimately mastering the challenges, expectations and opportunities of being leaders, teammates, and athletes on one of the coolest, character driven and successful swim teams in the United States of America.
USA Swimming Coach
This community knows that in you, we have a treasure. Thank you for your interest, your ethics, and your commitment to the character of our children. Thank you for being an anchor when kids are adrift. Thank you

for your kindness and compassion towards my child and the team, whatever community or school they belong too.
Thank you very much. What you do for our kids in terms of helping them develop their sense of character while building their esteem and friendships is remarkable. I believe it is a chapter of their upbringing that our kids truly cherish on their way to becoming young adults, and I know they will take it with them and it will influence them in positive ways their entire life.
Parent (of graduate)
First, I want to thank you for Orinda Aquatics. I love your team philosophy of Character First. I have read the quotes in picture case outside the women's locker room at Soda Center. They inspire me as an adult to be an even better person. I also love the way all of your coaches have coached my daughter for the last five fall seasons. Your fall program is awesome.
Parent
Ronnie and Donnie,
I couldn't help but noticing in the news a story about a mass cheating attempt on a college campus. The reason I'm bringing this to your attention is because I wanted to thank you for everything you have taught me.
I specifically remember having a team meeting about cheating in life and in the classroom and how to protect your personal integrity. I would like to think that I would not have done something this, but it would be naive to think that your confidence, pride, and love the both of you have for your swimmers did not have a direct influence on my development as a student-athlete and as a person, and my ability to avoid this type of thing.
A former OA swimmer
A heartfelt Thank You to you and your wonderful OA program for aiding in the development of the heart, body and minds of our kids!
Parent
"Knowing that my child has such a team of caring, professional, and motivational coaches in his life brings me a sense of comfort. It is an honor to be part of Orinda Aquatics, and I believe that we will never find another organization in our lives that will have such a positive influence on our family."
Parent
"I could have only dreamed to have been part of a program like this in high school. This is a special team and I wish you much continued success shaping our wonderful kids."
Parent
Hi coaches,
I hope this e-mail finds you doing well. I can't even believe it, but I am actually en route to college as I write. I just wanted to take the time to thank you for all that you did for me. I was amazed and relieved to find a swim program that fit perfectly for me not only as a swimmer, but as a person. I cannot express to you how grateful I am to you for giving me the opportunity to be on this remarkable team. Not only did I improve as a swimmer,

but I learned a lot about balance, and how to look at the "bigger picture." I am so thankful for you and that I could enjoy swimming again, just as I began to lose sight of my passion and love for it. Thanks to you, I am going into college with a wholesome, balanced perspective on the sport, and most importantly I'm genuinely excited to swim. The memories that I am taking with me from swimming on OA this summer will always be with me, because everyone has been so remarkably warm and welcoming, which is a reflection on the staff and what you stand for. I cannot thank you enough for all that you have done for me.
Best regards
I know that you are men who live their beliefs and take action to make things happen. I came to recognize that over the few years my son swam for you two. The article reminded me of this and also how grateful I am that he found his way to Orinda Aquatics. You and Ronnie were, and continue to be, mentors and true friends for my son and I thank you for that.
An OA parent
From an OA swimmer (recently graduated college)
You have had such a profound impact on me and have really contributed to my growth as an athlete and more.
I get a little teary when I think about how my swimming career is over, but I have achieved so much and have competed at a level I never thought I would. Thank you for everything!
Coach Don,
I am truly impressed with the clarity of standards you and Ron set for your program. It appears the kids understand and value the traits and standards you expect from them. In life, perhaps when things are the toughest, they will draw upon the grit, faith and practices learned and rehearsed consistently as athletes, teammates and contributors to OA.
OA clearly is a great program - a highly successful swim team and a great place for friendships and acquiring invaluable life lessons. Awesome!
Respectfully, Allan
Thank you for sharing the positive side of youth sports and swimming especially. Your vision of what is good about people and to promote them is unparalleled. The youth of our communities and the sport of swimming are so lucky to have you!!!!!
A School Administrator
"No matter how I travel and coach, I have to say that what you guys built at OA is one of a kind."
From Kevin Lai, former coach (in Hong Kong)
Hi Don & Ron—
I wanted to drop you a quick note of thanks for allowing us some insight to the creativity you instill in your program to keep it fresh and fun. I came across your Graduation workout in Bob Steele’s “Games, Gimmicks,
Challenges” book and loved the idea of it. When we had finished, they all threw their caps into the air and

were telling me it was a very fun practice. They were all running over to their parents to tell them that they had just graduated. Dan
"Hi coaches,
First, I want to thank you for all you do for the swimmers of our community - we have been so impressed with the OA program thus far!!! After hearing so much about high moral standards and emphasis on character, it is a real privilege to finally be part of a program that truly lives out their ideals. We have seen our child grow significantly in terms of focus, personal discipline, leadership, academic performance, etc. THANK YOU!!!!"
An OA parent
Thank you so much for all Orinda Aquatics does, I am so impressed and always grateful.
An OA parent
I love your team! Everything was great! I am looking forward to our long-term relationship. All CD's will be mailed to you later today or tomorrow. Thank you for your help!
Dr. G (Genadijus Sokolovas)
Regarding the "Letter to the Team"
"As a final note, I wanted to send along three comments from our division staff on your end of year recap (and this does not include those who verbally said something to me)":
From Randy Julian (Randy is the Central Zone Sport Development Consultant): Just looked at this. This is really really big time great! It reads like a good book and has POWERFUL lessons all through it. How would parents
NOT want their children to swim for Orinda?
From Kim O’Shea:Wow…..good stuff!
From Dave Thomas (Dave is the Southern Zone Sport Development Consultant): Outstanding. Thanks for sharing. If I am ever in that neck of the woods I would like to check the program out.
From USA Swimming Club Development Staff
Thanks you for being a fantastic example of leadership, goodwill and great swimming.
A.C. in Vermont
I wanted to let you know how impressed I am with OA! What great kids you have swimming for OA. We have been through many teams whether it be traveling basketball, or soccer, dance and summer swimming. Many of the teams focus on the here and now, and winning. OA feels very different. I know it can take many years of hard work to reach your goals, and I feel very fortunate that our child is swimming with such a positive team. Too bad OA wasn't around when I was swimming! A New OA Parent
I am proud to be associated with you...you have done so much for the Lamorinda community generally and the swimming community specifically. Well done and keep up the good work!

Rick Vandenberg
"It is said that in everyone’s life there is a transition that occurs in the latter years. This is where the focus changes from personal success to significance. Fortunately for us, you and Ron have spent your careers and lives empowering children to see their potential, as well as how to achieve it. In doing this, you have transcended coaching and been a positive influence in a lot of lives. And what could be more significant than that."
A Fall Swimming Parent
Dear Ronnie and Donnie,
You and your entire staff of coaches have always been a huge part of my daughter’s life. You have taught her many life lessons, in and out of the pool. I believe that she is the incredible swimmer, student, and more importantly, young women that she is today because of your influence in her life as she was growing up. They say "it takes a village". Well Orinda Aquatics was definitely a huge part of "our village". You made my job as a parent so much easier. It’s hard now a days to find people that share your same values and ethics. I always felt that with you had her (and our) best interests at heart and I appreciate your support. You will always be a big part of the our life story.
XO (A former OA parent after college graduation)
Ronnie, Donnie, Matt, Marc, Kevin, and Dave
For several years....usually after the high school swim season ends or after I have read something about Orinda
Aquatics or after I see an Orinda Aquatics swim practice......I’ve wanted to tell you how over-whelmed I am at what you have done for the Lamorinda Community in Aquatics.
I planned on writing this letter several times in the last 3-4 years whenever I would look through the results of
NCS swimming....But I would put it off...and then thought it was a little ’corny’ to say anything...once it was 1 or 2 months after the Championship meet.
But today...when I had the opportunity to attend the 50th anniversary OMPA (ALL-ORINDA)....and then went over to the Orinda Aquatics booth and reviewed Orinda Aquatics many accomplishment....I decided ’corny’ or not I was going to tell you what I should have told you years ago.....
I am not aware of everything Donnie and Ronnie did throughout the many years they have been coaching...but
I do know they had a ’vision’ of establishing a ’1st Class’ aquatics program in the area and to accomplish their vision they brought together a group of dedicated/knowledgeable coaches.
The quality (depth) of various high school swimmers (at the local high schools) speaks volumes for what all of you have done. In addition, you have provided a number of local athletes the opportunity to pursue their passion for swimming.....whether they want to become a ’nationally ranked swimmer’ or just to be part of a
’team’. You have established both.
To build a swim program from its beginning has to be a very rewarding experience. I hope all of you have the opportunity to step back and realize how significant your contributions have been......you have had a tremendous impact on so many lives (young and old).
I for one....applaud your dedication and expertise......
Bill Brown