Orinda Aquatics is a nationally recognized program that has built a highly unique environment, merging a culture of character and humility with significant success at the individual and team level, against an unprecedented academic backdrop.

We believe participation in youth sports can and should be a life-changing experience, not an activity in and of itself. Structure, teamwork, integrity and discipline come first, on the belief that the better the person, the better the athlete, the better the swimmer.

• Support swimmers of all abilities pursuing long-term swimming goals.
• Give serious athletes the opportunity to develop into competitive high school, collegiate and national-level swimmers.
• Build an equal partnership between swimmers and coaches, with mutual commitments to integrity and character.
• Teach discipline, commitment, personal responsibility, accountability, sacrifice, goal-setting, humility and resilience.
• Treat every member of the team as a person first and an athlete second, in a true team environment where everyone contributes and is valued.
• Maintain a positive, open relationship between coaches and parents, and a firm commitment to community service.
• Fully support USA Swimming and the U.S. Center for SafeSport in protecting our athletes.

Orinda Aquatics runs a multidimensional outreach program: supporting the swimming efforts of Eswatini Swimming in Africa for over a decade (including two coaching trips by Coach Donnie and a swim-suit drive that netted over 2,500 suits, with donations from Nike, FINIS and ASCA); teaching learn-to-swim lessons where instruction isn't easily accessible; mentoring newer clubs and coaches; supporting the local Special Olympics team, the Sea Serpents; and providing scholarships to swimmers with financial need.