Welcome, 2024 Orinda Park Pool Stingrays!

The Orinda Park Pool Stingrays are a three-season recreational swim team that practices from spring to fall. Our club proudly competes within the OMPA league. A valid OPP membership is required to join the team. Learn more here.

We are also the hosts of the best summer invitational meet around -- OPP Relays! This fast-paced, all-relay meet is in its 62nd year.   For more information go to OPPRELAYS.ORG.

 
Practice Information
 
Our coaches expect Park Pool swimmers to make every effort to be at practice daily with a positive work ethic.  This means arriving on time, ready to swim, and putting in their best effort, both in the water and in any dry-land work.  We recognize that swimmers will have some time conflicts with other sports and school during the spring, but expect that swimmers will make every effort to attend practice whenever possible -- this is absolutely critical to a successful season.
 
Many swimmers will say that the more you put into swimteam, the more you will get out of it. This includes attending practice, meets and social activities. Your children will make friends quickly and their swimming will improve dramatically!
 
 
COMPETITIVE SWIM AGE GROUPS:   There are 5 competitive age groups  ​that  correspond to age group divisions in the OMPA league.   A swimmer's competitive age is determined by their age on June  15th of the current year . 
  • 15 & ups
  • 13-14s
  • 11-12s
  • 9-10s
  • 7-8s
  • 6 & unders

Practice groups generally match these competitive age groups, but sometimes when we have one or more particularly large age groups additional pool time will be allotted and the group(s) split by skill level and experience.  Swimmers are expected to practice with their assigned group -- any exceptions must be approved by the Head Coach. Coaches may also place a swimmer in a different age group at their discretion. 6 & unders should be able to swim freestyle with side breathing and swim the backstroke for 25 yards. 

 
STINGRAY PRACTICE SEASONS:
    
SPRING WORKOUTS:  In April and May, we typically have 4 after-school age based practice groups: 6 & unders, 7-8s, 9-11s, 12 & ups.  These practices are included in your registration fees and swimmers are encouraged to attend as much as you can.  This prepares swimmers for time trials and the summer season and gets them meeting other swimmers and coaches. 

SUMMER SWIM WORKOUTS:  During summer we have 5 age group practices corresponding to the age groups above, with all 13 and older swimmers in one group. The first practice of the day is at 8am for the oldest age group, 13 and up and ends with the youngest group, 6 and under.   Afternoon supplemental practices are available for an additional fee. 

SUMMER DRYLAND WORKOUTS: Starting in mid-June, dryland workouts will be held every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the summer.  These 30 minute out of the water workouts are a great way to increase flexibility and cardio fitness in a dry setting!   Please encourage your swimmers to attend these workouts and bring tennis shoes. 

FALL SWIM:   Much like our Spring program, we also offer a Stingray Fall Swim program after school which focuses on maximizing progress made during the summer season with smaller group settings and more individualized attention. These practices are included in your registration fees. Fall Swim is fo cused on keeping up conditioning from the summer and focusing on technical instruction to prepare swimmers for the next year (and possibly graduating to the next age group).
 

MINI STINGERS (SUMMER ONLY):  

Our Mini Stinger program is aimed at beginning swimmers (generally under 6 years old) who are not yet able to participate in our Age Group workouts. Our minis will develop basic skills, participate in social activities, and have their own Park Mini Meet. Mini Stinger workouts begin after the rest of the swim team during the summer session only. Summer practices are held 4 days per week (M, T, TH, FR—no Wednesday practice) typically between 11:00 - 1 pm and 330 -5 pm.  There are no pre- post-summer season workouts for Mini-Stingers. When appropriate your Mini will be encouraged to move up to the Age Group workouts and begin swimming in competitive meets.   

 
 
 
 
See practice schedules and times here (you must be logged in)