May Newsletter 2023
CLUB UPDATE
I hope everyone got a chance to check out all the tennis action last month. We had amazing weather and top level tennis. It is so cool to have the PAC 12 here at the club competing for a conference championship!
You will see some changes this month around the club. First, we are adding three new massage chairs that will be located where the old Pilates Studio is located. They are amazing and will be free of charge for members of the club. You will reserve a chair like you do a lap lane so everyone has a chance to reserve a time for themselves.
We are also adding some fun items out by the Cafe deck. Look for a new Ping Pong table along with a Connect Four and Cornhole set. Come have a great time while enjoying a meal at the Cafe.
We hope you have a great May and can't wait for the hot Summer months!!
See Ya at the Club!
Ryan
ZOOM UPDATE
We will be dropping the Zoom classes at the end of May. We wanted to add the Zoom as an option during the COVID months and now feel it is time to move on as less and less people use it here at the club. I want to thank all the instructors for taking the time to set it up for each class over the past couple of years. We hope to see everyone for the amazing live classes our instructors put together!
MASSAGE CHAIRS AT THE CLUB
Get ready for a new experience here at the club. We are adding three new massage chairs located in the old Pilates studio. They will be on a reserve system very much like the lap pool and FREE OF CHARGE for members! We hope everyone enjoys the new chairs!
DUES INCREASE JUNE 1ST
Whether you are a brand new member or have been with us since the beginning, we are grateful to each and every one of you for being a member of Ojai Valley Athletic Club. Each year we evaluate the costs of running the club, while trying to keep member's needs in mind. With rising costs across the board there will be a four to five percent increase starting June 1st. We are working hard to make OVAC the best club possible and will continue with ongoing improvements from fitness, swim, tennis and everything in between. Thanks again for your support!
GUEST POLICY DURING THE MONTHS JUNE-AUGUST
As we try to provide the best experience for our members, we have noticed a large amount of guests coming to the club during the warmer days of the week. As the Summer approaches we want to balance the ability of members to bring guests but also keep the club from being too crowded.
OVAC Guest Policy for June, July, August:
OVAC members can bring two guests to the club. That's two guests per membership. Members are still able to use their guest passes during these months.
Day Passes will not be available for any guests unless they are with a member. The two guests per membership still applies,
We hope this will help control the busy Summer months and allow all members an opportunity to enjoy the club!!
KID'S CLUB NEWS
Hello Kid's Club families! We have been so excited about spring and have been busy growing our Kid's Club garden. We are discovering spring things like different flowers, fruits, veggies, and baby animals. We have so much fun learning about all the fun spring things and we always love to learn new things. We need your help growing our garden! Come and check it out just down the hall right outside our Kid's Club door. Can't wait to see you!
We are here:
Monday - Saturday 8:30am - 12:00pm
Monday and Wednesday afternoons 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Cost: $5.00 per half hour
Full package: $180 for 20 hours
Half-package: $90 for 10 hours
DOES PILATES HELP WITH CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH?
Absolutely! While doing Pilates, one may not feel like they are getting their heart rate up enough, or getting enough of a sweat. Not to worry...one should still feel a Pilates workout pumping their energy up rigorously, but if you are wanting even more, this is how Pilates gets you there...
Since your core is what is building stamina in a Pilates class, you can do all your other workouts for a longer period of time. Runners, swimmers, hikers, walkers, equipment users, dancers, athletes etc. can go faster and longer.
My cardio health used to be so weak. I would go 10 minutes on an elliptical and feel more tired than I should and I was overthinking everything. Thanks to the breath patterns in Pilates and how it lifted my abdomen, I feel a million times lighter and at ease when I do cardio. I get lost in it now, which is what I used to hear "real runners" say and now I finally get it!
Our bodies can do so many different things and this wonderful mind/body connection will bring that to you.
Please sign up for your free Pilates session across from the front desk, or add onto your current training with our 3 instructors!
GETTING RID OF EMOTIONAL STRESS
We all know how harmful stress can be and sometimes we cannot control it. There is
stress we hold in the body that we do not even know is there at times until it is released.
Movement helps with this of course, but it can be harder to find that way. With massage, when the body is able to relax, finding this release happens naturally. When this release happens, you will know by feeling any kind of shift in the body, whether you laugh, cry, start chatting, fall asleep...your body is simply telling you there is a change; you let go!
Not only is this important for our stress level, but we need it for exercise! We all go to
this club because we care about our physical health. Imagine what your body could accomplish if you got rid of the baggage locked in the body throughout your training!
Please contact me to book a massage with either myself, or James! We would love to
work with you.
Georgia Cotsis
Massage Therapist
[email protected]
(805)272-5619
James Ianessa-Ochoa
[email protected]
(619)504-9494.
THE S WORD…STRESS
-Danielle Wommack, Fitness Director
It surprises no one that stress negatively impacts many aspects of our life. But do you know that stress can directly affect fat loss goals in a variety of ways? In fact, for many it's the fat loss x-factor. The number one comment I hear as a weight loss expert is "I'm eating right but I'm not losing weight." Of course, there are a myriad of reasons this could be happening, including:
- Not realizing actual portion sizes when eating
- Dieting for a long time, leading to metabolic adaptation and the need for a reverse diet)
But it could be that weight loss has stalled and the underlying reason has nothing to do with food. That's right, the s word – stress. Although stress may of course lead to choosing foods that can negatively impact weight loss goals, it goes much deeper. Stress can make fat loss harder in these five ways:
- Stress intensifies hunger and cravings
- Stress slows metabolism by suppressing thyroid production
- Stress drains energy making it harder to want to workout
- Stress interferes with sleep
- Stress makes it difficult to keep long term goals front of mind
It's important to notice the connections between stress and resulting behaviors. For example, pounding soda all day to cope with a stressful job. Or skipping a workout because the stress of being a new parent is all encompassing. Or binging at night due to deeply rooted emotions bubbling just below the surface (sadness, grief, resentment, anger, etc.). In other words, STRESS - the x factor that may be the true variable interfering with effective fat loss. Unfortunately, lack of willpower is often the scapegoat for stalled fat loss, and this just makes the situation worse. Feeling like a failure is stressful to say the least.
What's the first step to dealing with stress? Recognition. Weight loss experts like the personal trainers at OVAC look for signs that clients look, sound, or act frazzled. Or that their life takes a superhero to handle – new parents, jobs with high expectations, family with chronic health issues, etc. Or they are perfectionists with their fitness and nutrition – pushing it at the gym without enough recovery time, prolonged dieting, preoccupation with clean eating. Any of these stressors can impede fat loss, especially when combined with insomnia, food intolerances, or nutrient deficiencies (all STRESS).
But even when stress is recognized, rarely is it as simple as saying, "Wow, I'm stressed, let me focus on therapy, coping strategies, and relaxation techniques." Instead, a deeper dive into the underlying roots of stress can lead to self-insight and getting "unstuck". A great tool for this journey is a Stress Web chart to provide visual awareness that can open up productive brainstorming on how to handle your stress load:
To use the Stress Web, color in the areas with the most stress. Then ask questions like "What's adding to your stress in that area?" Then use the "little bit better" mindset to come up with small ways or tiny things you can do to shift your life toward more balance and less stress in that area. Remember the old cliché "It's about the journey, not the destination." Striving for greater self-awareness will be a much better tool to fight the x-factor of weight loss than some perfect set of mythical eating techniques.
If you'd like further information on how to achieve lasting weight loss that goes beyond simply being told what foods to eat and what foods to avoid, I hope you will not hesitate to reach out to me a [email protected]. The whole team of OVAC trainers and I are ready with a variety of options that will fit any budget (even as low as $27/month).
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
HELLO OVAC SWIMMERS!
How amazing has it been to start hanging out by the pool again after that LONG winter? I hope you are enjoying it as much as I am. I love seeing happy families and sunbathers living their best life at our pools. With summer approaching and pool usage ramping up, I want to remind everyone to stay safe and keep a close eye on your little ones. Children under 43 inches must wear a puddle jumper/life vest (loaners are available) and be within arms reach of a guardian. We will not have Lifeguards on duty until June 15.
Also, with the rec pool becoming busier please be aware of the lap lanes in the rec pool, those lanes are for lessons and lap swimming and lessons. If a swimmer swims across the lanes when someone is lap swimming, a serious collision could happen and it's also frustrating for the lap swimmers. On the weekends according to usage we will be reducing the lap lane to two to make more room for recreational swimmers.
Additionally, as the days become longer and the weather heats up, swim lessons become a must have! We currently have group lessons, private lessons and a beginning swim team for families looking to get kids ready and safe for the summer swim season. Please contact me if you are looking for swim options for you or your kids, or have questions about our Aquatic programming.
See you at the pool!
Elin Cheverez [email protected]
SUMMER GROUP LESSONS ARE AVAILABLE NOW!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
There are 2 different Session options:
Morning sessions start on Mondays and go through Thursday, there is a new session each week. Afternoon sessions are twice a week on Monday and Wednesdays for 2 weeks.
No group classes the week of the Fourth of July.
$95/session | non-member add $20
Morning Sessions:
Morning 1: June 19th – June 22nd
Morning 2: June 26th – June 29th
Morning 3: July 10th – July 13th
Morning 4: July 17th – July 20th
Morning 5: July 24th – July 27th
Morning 6: July 31st – Aug 3rd
Morning 7: Aug 7th – Aug 10th
Morning 8: Aug 14th – Aug 17th
Class times:
10:30am – 11:00am: Tadpoles
11:00am – 11:30am: Baby & Me
11:30am – 12:00pm: Minnows
12:00pm – 12:30pm: Stroke Development
12:30pm – 1:00pm: Dolphins
1:00pm – 1:30pm: Minnows Advanced
Afternoon Sessions:
Afternoon 1: June 19th – June 28th
Afternoon 2: July 10th – July 19th
Afternoon 3: July 24th – Aug 2nd
Afternoon 4: Aug 7th – Aug 16th
Afternoon 5: Aug 21st – Aug 30th
Class Times:
3:00pm – 3:30pm: Tadpoles
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. Swim diapers are required under swim suit if child isn't potty trained.
Instructor: Bethany
Class capacity: 10
Times: 11:30am – 12:00pm
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: 10:30am – 11:00am & 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: 11:30am -12:00pm & 3:30pm – 4:00pm
Minnows Advanced (ages 5-7)
Class requirements: Must have completed Minnows and been moved up to Minnows advanced by the instructor. Must be able to swim front crawl at least half the length of the pool with face in the water. Focus on technique and learning all strokes.
Instructor: Bethany
Class Capacity: 6
Times: 1:00pm – 1:30pm
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.
Instructor: Bethany
Class Capacity: 7
Times: 12:30pm – 1:00pm & 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: 12:00pm – 12:30pm & 4:30pm – 5:00pm
OJAI MASTERS ATTEND NATIONALS
Left to Right Keenan Newman, Marley Reilly, Beth Wickholm, Ken Umholtz
On the weekend of April 28 to April 30, a handful of dedicated Ojai Masters Swimmers made the trip to Irvine to attend the 2023 National US Masters Swim Championships. There were 273 teams and over 2500 swimmers—to date, the largest attended meet in the history of USMS Swimming.
Ojai was represented by four enthusiastic and determined competitors. Leading the way in the Men's 35-39 age group was Keenan Newman. He amazingly won the 100 Breaststroke with a time of 56.44; another first place in the 100 Individual Medley (51.36), followed by another first place and great swim in the 200 Freestyle (1:42.93). He fared very well in two other swims: Second Place in the 50 Backstroke (24.35) and 50 Breaststroke (26.55). Ken Umholtz, swimming in the 70-74 age group, respectively took a 5th place in the 50 Backstroke, 8th place in the 200 Individual Medley and 100 Backstroke. He added 12th place in the 200 Breaststroke and 15th place in the 100 Individual Medley. On the women's side, competing in the 35-39 age group was Beth Wickholm, who had a good performance in the 500 Freestyle, taking 7th place. She added 8th place in the 1650 Freestyle, 11th place in the 200 Freestyle, and a 25th place in the 50 Butterfly. Also with a couple of good swims was Marley Reilly in the women's 40-44 age group, who took a 21st place in the 100 Breaststroke and a 29th place in the 100 Freestyle. The foursome of Keenan Newman, Marley Reilly, Beth Wickholm and Ken Umholtz combined forces to compete in the 35 plus age group 200 Mixed Free relay, achieving a 25th place showing.
Coach Rick Goeden commented on how competitive this meet is. Swimmers from all over the United States gear up for this meet all year.
Our swimmers are to be commended for their hard work and dedication. Great job!
TENNIS NEWS
What a great opportunity we had to see some of the top collegiate players in the nation play right in our own backyard over the past week....hopefully you were able to get out and catch some of the action from the Ojai Tournament.
VCJTA TOURNAMENT
The Ventura County Junior Tennis Association series of tournaments continued at OVAC with a novice/open tournament held on April 1st. Several of our OVAC juniors did well including Chloe Kallison, Greg Davis, Beckett Frisina, Soraya Busz, Rania Busz, Cyrus Ress, Emmet Larrew and Keeyan Busz . Congratulations to all.
TENNIS BALL RECYCLER
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.
YOUTH TENNIS CLINICS
Contact Steve at [email protected] to sign up for any clinic.
JUNIOR CLINICS:
Intermediate Clinic- Invitation Only
Monday & Wednesday 4pm-5:30pm (90 minutes)
Children must be able to rally, serve and play points. Ages 9-14 as a loose rule. Inclusion in the clinic is based on Tennis Directors approval.
Ages 9-14. Cost: $18 member/$21 non-member
Future Stars
Monday & Wednesday 3:45pm-4:30pm, Saturday at 10:30 AM * NEW TIME * (45 minutes)
For our youngest players aged 5-8 who are new to tennis. Fun learning through movement and games.
Ages 5-8. Cost: $12 member/$15 non-member
Bigger Littles Clinic
Monday & Wednesday 4:30pm-5:30pm, Saturday at 9:30 AM *NEW TIME* (60 minutes)
A clinic for our older beginners who have some experience. Physical conditioning, stroke production and drills/games are part of this clinic.
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 3:30pm. TUESDAY at 4:00- LIVE BALL for 3.5/4.0) players. No Drop in- invitation only as limited to 7 players
Cronies Doubles: Monday/Wednesday/Friday at 7am
PICKLEBALL
Adult Pickleball Clinics Starting Tuesday, May 16th!
Adult Pickleball Clinics Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-7pm
Beginner/Intermediate Clinic and First Timers are welcome!
Minimum 4 / Maximum 8 Players
Sign up on Google Sheet link: OVAC Pickleball Clinics Tues Thurs 6-7pm
Contact Greg Doss [email protected] with any questions.
See you on the courts!
