CLUB NEWS
Well, I can honestly say we have a legit creek running through the club now! It's so great to see so much water around the valley and to see our lake get fuller by the week. The club has been busy with activity. We have had some fun events last month that featured Pilates, Wine/Paint and The Super Bowl. Look for a fun tennis social and chili cook off this month. Sign up is in the lobby. Is there any event you would like to see at the club? If you have any suggestions, please feel free to reply with some ideas. We are thinking of doing a trivia night and maybe a beer tasting later in the year.
The next big project happening at the club will be featuring the Lounge area. We will be going with a new look with nice furniture and a different layout. It will have more furniture and a better work area. We hope to see the new look over the next couple of months.
We hope you have a great March and can't wait to see you at OVAC!
See Ya at the Club!
Ryan
PAC 12 HOUSING NEEDED FOR "THE OJAI"
We are seeking hosts for April 23-27. If you have an extra couple of beds, preferably a minimum of two per home, please consider housing the PAC-12 tennis players. Hosts supply breakfast foods, access to bathrooms, showers and kitchen. No transportation or cooking is necessary. If you want to do more, that's always welcome. Vacant guest houses are also great and there's no need to provide breakfast food if the host is not around.
As a thank you, we provide one free all tournament pass to the host for each player that is housed. This pass allows the holder to attend all matches for each day the tournament is held. Families that house players will tell you how rewarding the experience has been for them. I promise it will be a rewarding experience for you too!
Please contact: Nancy Soares Pierson, Housing Coordinator 805-750-7251 or [email protected]
SOCIAL EVENTS
CHILI COOK OFF-MARCH 2ND 12pm
One of our favorite tennis events is back- Saturday March 2. Noon, You have until then to perfect your chili recipe. It's a chili competition and a fun doubles social all in one.
Sign-up poster is in the lobby now!
PICKLEBALL NEWS
FRANKLIN X-40 PICKLEBALLS ON SALE NOW!
Available at Front Desk - 3 for $10 -
PICKLEBALL CLINICS ARE BACK
Beginner/Intermediate: Thursdays 1:00pm
Intermediate/Advanced: Tuesdays 1:00pm
Advanced Only: Wednesdays 9:00am
All Clinics $15 for members / $20 non-members
PRIVATE PICKLEBALL LESSONS AVAILABLE
$80/hour can be split between 1-4 players
Contact Greg Doss [email protected] to schedule
Open Play Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday - 8:30am - 12:30pm - All Levels Welcome -
Mixed - Single Game Rotation - Four On Four Off - Bring Your Best Attitude!
PICKLEBALL SUNDAYS
Every other Sunday - Advanced Pickleball -
(Mar 3rd, Mar 17th, Mar 31st, Apr 14th, etc.)
Members and Guests Only - Bring your best game and see how it stands up!
Every OTHER other Sunday - Super Sunday! -
Very Advanced Pickleball - 4.0+ Only -
(Mar 10th, Mar 24th, Apr 7th, Apr 21st, etc.)
All Courts Reserved 8:30-12:30 - See Greg for details or come out and watch!
PRIVATE PILATES AVAILABILITY
Our Pilates Department is wanting to share specific times that our instructors are looking to fill up. If you would like to take any of these spots, please reach out to the instructor!
Amanda Gavlick: (323) 369-4124 [email protected]
Consistently available: Saturdays at 1:30pm, 2:30pm, and 3:30pm. And happy to work Sundays.
Kelsey Eckerson: (805) 625-3821 [email protected]
Consistently available: Wednesdays at 8:30am
Taylor Bowen: (805) 832-2881 [email protected]
Consistently available: Tuesdays at 2:30pm
I love working with these ladies myself! Please reach out and they will guide you through your Pilates journey.
Georgia Cotsis, Pilates Director
[email protected]
(805)272-5619
SWEDISH MASSAGE
Just a friendly reminder that I am more than happy to be flexible with massage hours. Times that are convenient in winding down here at the club are late afternoons. Please don't hesitate and take care of what you want this year! Massage is so important in bringing more fluidity to the body, and then you will enjoy your exercise that much more. You all take great care of yourselves, and you deserve to care about your health in this way as well. I look forward to hearing from you!
Georgia Cotsis, Massage Therapist
[email protected]
(805)272-5619
THE FUNNY BLACK CYLINDER AS A RECOVERY TOOL
~ Fitness Director Danielle Wommack
Otherwise known as a foam roller used for self-myofascial release…what is it and how can it help you recover? Let's dig in (see what I did there?). 
A foam roller is a great tool to help your muscles recover post-workout by acting as a soft tissue massage. It's like getting a sports massage, but a fraction of the price and is always readily available.
Not only can a foam roller be useful in muscle recovery after a workout, it can also be utilized to prep your body before a workout. Yes they can be painful , just like a massage, but if you stick with it you will notice improvements quickly. Compared to stretching, the self-inflicted agony of foam rolling can feel like a ridiculous form of fitness-torture, but it really does work. Applying pressure to trigger points, or knots, in your muscles boosts blood flow, helps them recover their elasticity quickly and preps you for your next session. Just two minutes of foam rolling can increase your range of motion 10% according to the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.
Using a foam roller in the most basic way is helpful and very simple. For example, if you are targeting the front of your upper thigh, you would lay the roller on the floor and gently place that portion of your leg on top of the roller, using your bodyweight to apply moderate pressure. Begin to move slowly (an inch a second or slower) forwards and backwards on the roller. When you find a spot that is very painful, hold it there for about 30 seconds, gently increasing the pressure if possible. Ideally you will hold on this area until the pain subsides but it may not happen day one – work that area over a few separate sessions/days. Then continue to move slowly up and down the roller, hunting for more painful spots. Make sure to stay relaxed and breathe normally so the muscle can relax. You can repeat this process on many of the major muscle groups of the body. If you can find 10 minutes three times a week, you will start to notice a change in how your body moves, feels, and recovers.
If you'd like me to email you a free guide with more specific information on how to use a foam roller for specific muscles, please email me [email protected]. Learning all the ins and outs of foam rolling is one of the many techniques taught during a personal training session with our incredible coaching staff. If you'd like a referral for a personal trainer who would be a good fit for your goals and schedule, do not hesitate to reach out.
KID'S CLUB NEWS
Hello OVAC families! We've had some changes with our staff we'd like to share. We had to say goodbye to Caysee on Monday afternoons but, you'll still see her around the club though! We are happy to welcome back Caity, who you may remember was a part of our team before but she had taken a break. She is now back on Monday afternoons and also every other Saturday as well. Stop in to say hello! We have been getting creative back in our awesome Kid's Club room. I have seen forts made, block building, puzzle masters, amazing little artists emerging, book reading, teamwork practice, and much more! We will also be preparing for our spring crafts since it's right around the corner. We'll be decorating our hallway and we'll need your help!
Hope to see you soon!
-Meg
*Remember, we are trying to reduce sickness with our members and staff so check our sick guide if you are unsure about signs and symptoms.
IMPROVING FREESTYLE SWIMMING TECHNIQUE: TIPS FOR SWIMMERS
To enhance your freestyle technique and become a more proficient swimmer, consider the following tips:
1. Body Position: Maintain a horizontal body position by keeping your hips high in the water. This reduces drag and improves your overall efficiency. Imagine your body as a long, straight line from head to toe.
2. Head Position: Keep your head in a neutral position, looking straight down at the bottom of the pool. Avoid lifting your head to breathe, as this can cause your hips to drop and create drag.
3. Breathing Technique: Practice rhythmic breathing by inhaling through your mouth when your arm is out of the water and exhaling through your nose when your face is in the water. This helps you maintain a steady breathing pattern and stay relaxed.
4. Arm Movement: Focus on a high elbow catch to maximize propulsion. Reach forward with your fingertips, then bend your elbow as you pull your arm back. This allows you to grab more water and generate more power with each stroke.
5. Hand Position: Keep your hand relaxed and slightly cupped as you pull through the water. Avoid a tight, clenched fist, as this can increase resistance.
6. Kick Technique: Use a flutter kick with small, quick movements from your hips. Keep your legs relatively straight and close together to reduce drag. The kick should originate from your hips, not your knees.
7. Rotation: Rotate your body from side to side with each stroke to engage your core muscles and improve your reach. The rotation should be smooth and natural, allowing you to utilize your entire body to propel yourself through the water.
8. Drills and Practice: Incorporate drills into your swim workouts to focus on specific aspects of your technique, such as catch-up drill for arm coordination or fingertip drag drill for hand position. Consistent practice is key to improving your freestyle technique.
9. Stay Relaxed: Tension in your body can hinder your performance. Focus on staying relaxed, especially in your shoulders, neck, and face, to swim more efficiently.
POLAR BEAR SWIM CLUB CAMP
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Wondering what to do with your kids during Spring Break? Enjoy the pool! It's heated year-round! Kids ages 5-14 can join the Polar Bear Club where there will be swim instruction, pool games, diving board, hot tub and hot chocolate! Beth offers a fun and instructional swim camp this spring. Ages 5 and up must be able to swim unassisted. Bring your own snack and lunch.
Spring Break 1:
Monday April 1st – Thursday April 4th
9:00am – 12:00pm
Spring Break 2:
Monday April 8th – Thursday April 11th
9:00am – 12:00pm
9:00am -9:30am: check in and games
9:30am – 10:30am: swim instruction & hot tub
10:30am – 10:45am: snack
10:45am – 11:30am: pool games/diving board
11:30-12:00: change, lunch, hot chocolate
REGISTER NOW FOR SPRING 2024 SWIM LESSONS!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
$95 session members(add $20 non-members)
All sessions are 4 half hour classes. There are two separate types of Sessions twice a week with classes on Mondays and Wednesdays (2 weeks long) or once a week on Fridays only (last 4 weeks).
Class Times:
1:30pm – 2:00pm: Baby & Me (Fridays Only)
3:00pm – 3:30pm: Tadpoles
3:30pm – 4:00pm: Minnows
4:00pm – 4:30pm: Dolphins
4:30pm – 5:00pm: Stroke Development/Swim Team Prep
Monday & Wednesday Sessions:
Session 1: April 1st – April 10th
Session 2: April 15th – April 24th
Session 3: April 29th – May 8th
Session 4: May 13th – May 22nd
Session 5: May 29th – June 5th (Due to Memorial Day class will be Wednesday & Friday the first week)
Friday Only Sessions:
Friday 1: April 5th – April 26th
Friday 2: May 3rd – May 24th
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. Swim diapers are required isn't potty trained.
Instructor: Bethany
Class capacity: 10
Times: 1:30pm – 2:00pm (Friday Only Sessions)
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
Stroke Development – (ages 7 & up)
*must be able to swim a length of the pool independently
Focus on Stroke techniques and help to prepare for swim team
Instructor: Bethany
Class Capacity: 14
Times: 4:30pm – 5:00pm
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.
TENNIS NEWSCHILI COOK-OFF EXTRAVAGANZA
Weather permitting we'll be running our Chili Cook off and Doubles social on Saturday March 2nd at 12pm. Look for this poster in the lobby to sign up. Make-up date will be March 3rd at 12pm.
VCJTA TOURNAMENT APRIL 6 & 7
The Ventura County Junior Tennis Association series of tournaments continues at OVAC with a novice/open tournament slated for April 6 & 7. The VCJTA novice division is perfect for those just beginning the game and learning how to compete. The open division raises the bar a bit and is for players with more experience. Please visit the VCJTA website at vcjta.com to join or contact Tennis Director Steve Beckendorf for more details at [email protected]
BALL MACHINE
Our ball machine is located on court 10 and is available for hourly rental. Reservations can be made with the front desk. It is operated by remote control which is located at the front desk.
*With the ongoing precipitation it's very important that those using the new ball mower on court ten cover it when finished so we can keep it looking new. Court 10 is prone to puddling so be mindful of any wet balls making it back into the ball machine, they tend to compress and cause jams.
SINGLES LADDER
Our club singles ladder is up and running and challenge matches are being scheduled. Don't miss out on the fun.
We currently have 21 on the ladder and it's growing steadily so there are lots of opportunities for match play. We need some ladies on there as well!
NEED A NEW TENNIS RACQUET or A RACQUET RESTRUNG?
OVAC will be happy to help you with your Tennis needs. We have relationships with Wilson and Dunlop with very competitive pricing and great savings. Please contact Steve at [email protected] with any questions.
 KIDS TENNIS CLINICS Owing to the time of year and the potential weather disruptions that come with it - junior clinic sessions are on a drop -in basis currently. Pre-registered sessions will again be offered after the weather calms down.
Contact Steve at [email protected] or 805-746-0819 to sign up for any clinic.
INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED CLINIC- INVITATION ONLY- Children must be able to rally, serve and play points. For players looking to play competitive tennis in tournaments or high school. Ages 9-14 as a loose rule. Inclusion in the clinic is based on Tennis Directors approval. Ages 9-14. Cost: $20 member/$25 non-member
Monday & Wednesday 4pm-5:30pm (90 minutes)
FUTURE STARS- for our youngest players aged 5-8 who are new to tennis. Fun learning through movement and games. Cost: $13 member/$16 non-member.
Tuesday & Thursday 3:45pm-4:30pm, Saturday at 9 AM (45 minutes)
BIGGER LITTLES CLINIC- A clinic for our mid to upper elementary age beginners who have some experience. Physical conditioning, stroke production and drills/games are part of this clinic. Ages 8-11. Cost: $15 member/$20 non-member.
Tuesday & Thursday 4:30pm-5:30pm; Saturday at 10 AM, (60 minutes)
ADULT CLINICS Contact Steve at [email protected] or 805-746-0819 to sign up for any clinic.
ADVANCED LIVE BALL- INVITATION ONLY Mondays 4:30-5:30pm. Cost: $15 member/$20 non-member INTERMEDIATE LIVE BALL (3.5 AND 4.0 PLAYERS) Fridays- 3 PM. A great fast paced work-out that will sharpen up your doubles play. LADIES INTERMEDIATE LIVE BALL- INVITATION ONLY
Wednesdays 5:30-6:30 pm. Cost: $15 member/$20 non-member
Saturdays 9-10am. Cost: $15 member/$20 non-member
ADULT BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE CLINIC
Saturdays 10-11:30am. Cost: $20 members/$25 non-members DROP IN TENNIS
Drop in Doubles: 3.5 and up rating. Tuesday/Thursday at 10:00 AM & 3:00 pm. We've been getting a nice group out on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. The players that have been coming would like to see some ladies come out and play too so give it a try if you've been on the fence.
Cronies Doubles: Monday/Wednesday/Friday at 7:00am
|
