April Newsletter 2023
CLUB UPDATE
Is it over yet? That's kinda how I feel about this crazy wet weather this year. It's been a blessing to see the lake fill back up and have actually running rivers but man has it been a challenge for some of our departments. I think our Tennis Director, Steve, has had more days off than on! Anyway, let's move forward and get excited about warmer days and beautiful green mountains!
We are working hard to get the club ready for our big annual Ojai Tennis Tournament starting the last week of April. It's an amazing event but please be aware that the club will be busy and parking might be a challenge during certain times of the week. Please be patient as we welcome the PAC 12 Women to OVAC and try to find some time to see world class tennis right in your backyard.
I hope everyone has a great April and finds time to visit the club as we move into an amazing time of the year!
See Ya at the Club!
Ryan
WELCOME NEW PICKLEBALL DIRECTOR GREG DOSS!!
We are very excited to introduce Greg Doss as our new Pickleball Director here at OVAC! Greg has been a member of the club for years and a true ambassador of Pickleball throughout the Ojai Valley. Other than being an amazing player, he has helped grow the game throughout our community and we are so happy that he is part of the OVAC family.
Greg is excited to see the game grow and is available for clinics and private lessons throughout the week. Please email Greg at [email protected] for more information.
ROBERT EVANS
It's with a heavy heart to announce our amazing employee and friend Robert Evans lost his battle with Cancer last month. For those who knew Robert will understand just how beautiful this man is inside and out. Robert always put others before himself and loved the club with all his heart. Though he battled this awful disease for years, he always kept a positive attitude hoping to be back at the club. He is a true inspiration to all those around him. He will be greatly missed and is the fitting definition of what we strive to be here at OVAC. We love you Robert and glad you are at peace.
7 REASONS TO START SWIMMING!
OVAC has 11 lanes available for lap swimming with little to no lane sharing. We offer Masters workouts, youth classes for all levels and private lessons. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced swimmer, incorporating swimming into your fitness routine can help you achieve your fitness goals and improve your overall well-being. Here are some of the benefits of swimming for fitness:
1. Low-impact exercise: Swimming is a low-impact exercise that is easy on the joints, making it a great option for people with joint pain or injuries. The buoyancy of the water also helps to support the body, reducing the risk of injury.
2. Full-body workout: Swimming is a full-body workout that engages all of the major muscle groups, including the arms, legs, back, and core. This makes it an effective way to build strength and tone muscles.
3. Cardiovascular health: Swimming is an excellent cardiovascular exercise that can help to improve heart health and increase lung capacity. It can also help to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
4. Weight loss: Swimming is a great way to burn calories and lose weight. Depending on the intensity of your swim workout, you can burn up to 500 calories per hour.
5. Stress relief: Swimming can be a great way to relieve stress and improve mental health. The rhythmic motion of swimming can be meditative and calming, helping to reduce anxiety and improve mood.
6. Improved flexibility: Swimming can help to improve flexibility and range of motion, particularly in the shoulders, hips, and back. This can help to reduce the risk of injury and improve overall mobility.
7. Better sleep: Swimming can help to improve sleep quality and duration, making it a great option for people who struggle with insomnia or other sleep disorders.
JOIN OJAI HEAT WAVES YOUTH SWIM TEAM (AGES 5-18)
We have openings in all of our swim team class levels. Our goals are to offer our members the highest quality stroke instruction, create enthusiasm for competitive swimming, and offer the Ojai Valley community youth the opportunity to pursue swimming as a life-long sport. We emphasize personal goal setting, excellent technique, health, fun and friendship.
- High quality adult professional instruction
- Optional Swim Meets
- Progression from Novice through Senior Competition
Entry Level Novice:
- 8 and Under Tue/Thurs 3:45-4:30 $95/mo
- 8 and Up Mon/Wed 3:15-4:00 $95/mo
Fill out this FORM to join or Email Aquatic Director-Elin Cheverez [email protected]
GROUP SWIM LESSONS
The Spring Group Swim Lessons are filling up fast! Secure your spot now! Sessions are once a week for 4 weeks. There is a Monday, Wednesday and Friday option. Register for multiple sessions to attend more than once per week. Tadpoles are not offered on Mondays. Register early, Spring is our most popular season!
MEMBERS: $95/Session
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Mondays 1: March 20th – April 10th
Wednesdays 1: March 22nd – April 12th
Fridays 1: March 17th – April 7th
Mondays 2: April 24th – May 15th
Wednesday 2: April 26th – May 17th
Fridays 2: April 28th – May 19th
Monday 3: May 22nd – June 12th ( no class on memorial day, class will be Tuesday 5/30)
Wednesday 3: May 24th – June 14th
Friday 3: May 26th – June 16th
Class Times:
2:30pm-3:00pm: Parent & Child (Starting in April only Mondays)
3:00pm – 3:30pm: Tadpoles (only Wednesday & Fridays)
3:30pm – 4:00pm: Minnows
4:00pm – 4:30pm: Dolphins
4:30pm – 5:00pm: Stroke Development
Baby and Me (ages 6 months – 3 years old)
Learn the basics and get your baby comfortable in the water. A parent is required to get in the water for this class
Instructor: Bethany
Class capacity: 8
Times: 2:30pm-3:00pm
Tadpoles Level 1 (Beginner to Intermediate) – Water Skills and Safety (ages 3-5)
Preschool and Beginners/Intermediate start breath holding, blowing bubbles with arm movements and kicking. Emphasizes water safety while having fun and gaining confidence.
Instructor: Bethany
Class capacity: 4
Times: 3:00pm – 3:30pm
Minnows Level 2 (Intermediate to Advanced) – Fundamental Aquatic Skills (ages 4 – 6)
Class requirements: Must be comfortable putting face in the water can swim independently at least a few feet. This is an intermediate/Advanced class.
Focus on front and back glide, breathing, freestyle and backstroke. Swimmers gain endurance and stroke skills
Instructor: Bethany
Class Capacity: 5
Times: 3:30pm – 4:00pm
Dolphins Level 2 – Fundamental Aquatic Skills (ages 6-11)
Class requirements: comfortable putting face in the water can swim independently 5 feet. Focus on front and back glide, breathing, freestyle and backstroke. Swimmers gain endurance and stroke skills
Focus on front and back glide, breathing, freestyle and backstroke. Swimmers gain endurance and stroke skills.
Instructor: Bethany
Class Capacity: 7
Times: 4:00pm – 4:30pm
FINE PRINT: FINE PRINT: No make-ups, prorating, refunds, or transferring. No shows will not be refunded. Makeups due to illness are at the instructor's discretion and are offered only according to availability one time per season (ex. Fall, Summer, Spring) Classes will not be canceled due to rain or cold weather. Non-member's club usage is restricted, and Non-Members must adhere to the Non-Member Swim Policy or risk losing the ability to participate in Aquatic programming at OVAC
The Ojai- the oldest and one of the largest tournaments in the nation returns April 26-30 2023 for its 121st year. The club and entire town for that matter will be transformed into a tennis mecca for those days. There will be tons of outstanding tennis as the tournament features the PAC 12 Mens and Womens Championships which historically have some of the top talent in collegiate tennis such as Cal, UCLA, Stanford and USC. Court use for members will be limited during that time so make sure to check in advance what time matches will be played. Visit the ojaitourney.net website for all the details.
RECYCLE YOUR TENNIS BALLS
I continue to see a lot of balls in trash cans. A reminder to please use our tennis ball recycler near the deck between courts 5&6. We don't want our used balls winding up in landfills when they can be repurposed. Also don't forget the cardboard tennis ball recycling boxes located in the lobby of the club.
SINGLES LADDER
Looking for mens and womens singles players for participation in the singles ladder at the club. You challenge others above you on the ladder or be challenged by those below you and complete matches within a designated time frame. Please contact Steve at 805-746-0819 if interested.
Monday-Thursday 9am-12pm (Swim from 11am-12pm)
Ages 5-16
$175 Members/$215 Non-Members
OVAC Summer Tennis Camps are a great way to learn the basics of the game, make friends and get outside. Campers will be separated by age and skill level.
June 19-22
June 26-29
July 10-13
July 17-20
July 24-27
July 31-August 3
TO SIGN UP CLICK HERE
TENNIS CLINICS
Contact Steve at [email protected] to sign up for any clinic. The weekly JUNIOR tennis clinics will resume after labor day.
JUNIOR CLINICS:
Intermediate Clinic- Invitation Only- Children must be able to rally, serve and play points. Ages 9-14 as a loose rule. Inclusion in clinic is based on Tennis Directors approval.
Monday & Wednesday 4pm-5:30pm (90 minutes)
Ages 9-14. Cost: $18 member/$21 non-member
Future Stars- for our youngest players aged 5-8 who are new to tennis. Fun learning through movement and games.
Monday & Wednesday 3:45pm-4:30pm
Ages 5-8. Cost: $12 member/$15 non-member
Bigger Littles Clinic- A clinic for our older beginners who have some experience. Physical conditioning, stroke production and drills/games are part of this clinic.
Monday & Wednesday 4:30pm-5:30pm,
Ages 8-12. Cost: $15 member/$18 non-member
ADULT CLINICS
Advanced Live Ball- Invitation Only
Mondays 5:30pm-6:30pm. Cost: $15 member/$18 non-member
Ladies Intermediate Live Ball- Invitation Only
Wednesdays 5:30 pm-6:30 pm. Cost: $15 member/$18 non-member
Saturdays 9am-10am. Cost: $15 member/$18 non-member
Adult Beginner/Intermediate Clinic
Saturdays 10-11:30am. Cost: $18 members/$21 non-members. Fun Drills and games
Please RSVP to Steve at 805-746-0819 to confirm attendance for any specific Saturday and to get on the email list.
DROP IN TENNIS
Drop in Doubles: Tuesday/Thursday at 3:00 pm.
Cronies Doubles: Monday/Wednesday/Friday at 7am
PICKLEBALL
Please contact Steve if interested in other group or private pickleball lessons.
Open Play: Pickleball is open all day, 7 days a week. Paddles and balls are available at the front desk for loan. All membership types may play.
Group Play- 8:30 AM on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Informal group doubles.
NEW PILATES INSTRUCTOR, TAYLOR!
Taylor Bowen is our newest Pilates instructor at the OVAC! She earned her Pilates
certification through Equinox in July of 2022 and has a Bachelor's degree in Dance.
Taylor grew up in Ojai and has been dancing since she was 3 years old. Throughout her
dance career, Pilates has been an integral part in her development and technical training. Taylor's passion for gaining strength through movement has deepened since gaining her Pilates certification. Taylor appreciates the accessibility that Pilates offers to all people and how much it helps us in our everyday lives. Taylor looks forward to connecting and working with you soon!
You may contact Taylor Bowen at [email protected] or (805)832-2881.
Please sign up for your Free Pilates Session, or come in to continue training if you have
not been able to find time now that we have more open spots!
MASSAGE AVAILABILITY
A reminder that we have our newest addition in Massage Therapy here, James! Please
contact him for a massage. He works at the Massage room Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and I am there Wednesdays. The clients both him and I have been seeing have found so much more ease to their body overall! Whether exercising, socializing, relaxing..etc.
Please contact him at [email protected] or (619)504-9494.
ARE YOU ADDICTED TO SUGAR?
-Fitness Director Danielle Wommack
I often have weight loss clients express to me that they feel "addicted" to the wrong type of carbohydrates – pastas, breads, sugary treats, alcohol. Oftentimes their carb cravings are intense and can be a frustrating experience when trying to lose weight.
There are many reasons someone may get these cravings, and it doesn't necessarily have to do with carbs or sugar. Consider the following:
- FOOD REWARD: Food scientists purposely create foods with flavors and textures that light up the brain's reward centers, delivering a powerful reaction to processed, high-carbohydrate foods, whether they are starchy or sugary. Certain flavor combinations(like sweet tastes and caffeine or sweets tastes and alcohol) also deliver a powerful hit and really dial up our taste buds/brain centers.
- PROCESSED, LOW-NUTRIENT FOODS: Foods that create strong cravings are frequently those without many nutrients, fiber, or water. Thus they don't signal the gastrointestinal track to feel full, and consequently the brain doesn't get the message to stop eating. Think about it – how often have you eaten several boiled potatoes but a bag of potato chips doesn't seem to be a problem.
- MANAGING EMOTIONS: Sweet and starchy foods are involved in the production of a brain neurotransmitter called serotonin. Serotonin works in the body to deliver feelings of happiness and calm. So if someone is seeking to distract themselves, manage anxiety, connect socially, zone out, numb out feelings, or any number of other emotional issues, choosing foods that boost serotonin may become a (potentially unhealthy) coping mechanism.
- BEHAVIOR PATTERNS: Most people have developed routines around the way we eat. For example, always ordering popcorn at the movies or having a glass of wine with dinner. Eating isn't random – it's practiced behavior that has led to a habit.
If you are struggling to control your eating of high-carbohydrate foods, I recommend using a journal to first identify the types of foods your crave or struggle to eat in moderation. In the journal also note your mood/stress levels and the location/situation to help identify triggers that you can address.
Did you know that OVAC offers a online nutrition program powered by ProCoach for only $27/month that will teach you the healthy habits you need to succeed? In addition, we offer our ever popular online three week Rock Your Diet elimination diet geared toward reducing inflammation and losing weight for only $99. If you would like further information or assistance with your nutrition, please feel free to contact me at [email protected].
