Lamorinda Swim Clubs
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Lamorinda Swim Clubs
June 2003
Can someone recommend a pool/rec family swim club in the
Lafayette, Orinda or Moraga area where:
1) It's fun to hang out and swim for the whole family - tot pool
to lap swim for adults.
2) Not too pricey.
3) Not too snobby.
4) Any with a snack bar, BBQ grills or other amenities besides
the pool?
What are these clubs really like? Casual? Friendly? How do you
find one to begin with and join one? Thank you!
Loves to swim when it's hot
There are plenty of swim clubs in the Lamorinda area, even
Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek. Most of them have a waiting
list. We moved 3 summers ago and chose the pool closest to us.
There was a year's wait list so by the following summer we were
in. During the summer when we didn't have membership I found a
community pool in Pleasant Hill near the Lindsay Museum. It was
ok but It wasn't a chance to meet people from our neighborhood.
If you are in Lafayette, Sunvalley Pool doesn't seem to have a
wait list this summer. It's small and very family orientated.
Ours is too which is Las Trampas. They all seem to have a grill
(ours has 2) which you can use anytime they are free or for a
party you can reserve them along with the tables and benches.
There's no fee, well I think it's $1 for the gas! We've had
numerous parties at ours, the last one a lesbian family one on
Mother's day where close to 100 lesbians/children came. No one
seemed to mind, well not that I heard! Guests are very welcome
so long as you are there with them and for a very small fee ($1)
Most of the pools have a rest period of 15mins on 1/4 to the
hour where the lifeguard takes a break and it's adults only and
kids under 5 with an adult. There is always one lane open for
lap swim. With our pool there is a diving area, a basketball and
paddle ball area along with a toddler pool. Some of the swim
clubs are more elaborate with slides etc. Pretty much all of
them have grass and shade. They all have a snack shack but
hours can vary as it's all volunteer. Most families bring food
and drinks and hopefully the Ice-cream truck will appear every
couple of hours.
Since we've been there everyone has been very friendly, we are
lesbian transplants from NY and also members were a gay family
from Boston. I don't see any snobbery and not really sure what
you mean by it, the kids all play together and the parents just
hang out chatting, eating and drinking! These swim clubs are
definatley not THE CLAREMONT or THE OAKLAND HILLS clubs. Most
poeple we are meeting these days are transplants like ourselves
from Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, San Diego, East Coast,
generally anywhere but Lafayette!
Compared to the Claremont/Oakland Hills clubs, we have a
bargin. Of course all the swim clubs vary but generally they
are around $650-$1000 to join (with our club you get that money
back when you give up your membership) then there is the yearly
fee of about $450-$700 for a family of however many you are and
other guests like grandparents/nannies etc.are included.
I found ours by driving around and also looking in the phone
directory under 'private swimming pools'. Calling the one
closest and getting on their wait list. The one thing I would
like to change with ours is that it doesn't open to the
membership until 12noon as the swim team is in practice before
then. I wouldn't mind just one lane to cool off in on those
toastie mornings! Most are open until 8pm and later if you want
to host an event and will pay for the extra time of a life-
guard. Gosh did I cover every thing? Good luck with your
search. If I can be of any more help please feel free to e-
mail.
Lesbians loving Lafayette
We recently became members at The Orinda Park Pool. It is perfect for our family. It is in a
beautiful (but not fancy) setting. The pool has a large area designated for toddlers and
beginning swimmers. Our two kids are taking lessons in small classes (3 kids max) from really
talented, energetic swim coaches. OPP is a very laid-back, friendly place. It is just a pool,
with a ping pong table, 1/2 basketball court, sandpit for volleyball, grills and picnic
tables.
There are few amenities (i.e. you bring your own towels). Everytime we leave the pool, we
marvel at our good luck in discovering it. We rave about it all the time. Go for a visit.
Happy at OPP
I'm not sure where in Lamorinda you live, but Burton Valley
has a really nice pool out past Burton Valley school --
Rancho Colorados. I have a friend who belongs and we
have been there several times. It is right up against the hills
and just beautiful. They have a snack bar and always have a
lane roped off for swimming laps, plus an area for volleyball.
Not sure about BBQ grills? People seem to be very friendly.
We belong to Forest Hills pool . It is on the PH/Martinez
border and sort of the same setting, but no snack bar -- very
pleasant with plenty of shade. In the evenings, you often see
deer on the hillside as you swim. Both very nice. laid-back
places! Good luck --
Trish
Also recommended:
Lakeridge Athletic Club
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