TEAM TRAVEL MEETS
“The ART OF TEAM TRAVEL” – Spirit, Leadership, and accountability
Team travel is a cornerstone of the Orinda Aquatics Senior Group experience. These travel meets are an investment in independence, team culture, team performance, and personal integrity. Orinda Aquatics coordinates two to three travel meets annually, each selected to expand championship racing opportunities and cultivate team cohesion and leadership.
The first travel experience in held in early December at the Tualatin Hills indoor facility in Portland, Oregon. In late February we attend the Clovis Senior Championship Meet in February, which has become our anchor team travel meet. This is meet is well documented and depicts the quality and character of the team as well as any competition. Following Clovis, we will travel with a smaller group of 30-40 swimmers to Sectionals, recently in Novato. Beyond providing vital experience in championship-style prelims, finals, and team relays, these trips serve a greater purpose of unity and connection to our core values.
Our Travel Philosophy: The ORINDA AQUATICS Standard
At Orinda Aquatics, we fully expect our athletes to carry themselves as mature, dedicated individuals on a “business trip”, but most importantly, to travel with integrity and maturity at a level that engenders implicit trust with the staff and team. They owe this to their teammates, to the culture that defines us, and to the parents who support them. Because of this high standard of accountability, our coaching staff manages travel for up to 90 senior swimmers with no parent chaperones—a testament to the trust, respect, and self-governance that defines Orinda Aquatics. We often use the quote by Albert Camus to summarize this, “Integrity has no need of rules.”
Key Expectations & Polices
The Shared Mission: Every action on a trip should contribute to the team’s performance and positive culture.
Curfews & Rest: Athletes are managed closely throughout the trip with very strict behavioral expectations. This includes every hour at the competition and at the hotel.
Team Cohesion: Swimmers travel, lodge, and eat together with athletes placed in rooms with a strong leader and team veteran. He the older swimmers lead and set an example, and the younger swimmers learn the process.
Pool Demeanor: “meet management” is reviewed extensively which includes all activity from arrival to departure, including dynamic warm-up, pool warm-up, pre-race and post-race procedures, and recovery during breaks.
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Waivers
Orinda Aquatics Travel Policy - this is a summary of travel practices by the club and is on file with Pacific Swimming
Orinda Aquatics Travel Waiver - this document will be required by all participants for each Orinda Aquatics travel meet
USA Swimming Waiver & Release Form - this waiver is only applicable for USA Swimming sponsored meets (Western Zones and above)
The Annual Travel Calendar
December Indoor Showcase
Destination: Tualatin Hills Meet (Beaverton, Oregon) Our winter campaign takes the Senior Group out of state to experience elite competition in a premier indoor facility. This trip is designed to give athletes early-season exposure to a fast indoor environment, sharpening their short-course racing skills against top athletes from the Pacific Northwest.
February Championship Tradition
Destination: Juanita Allington Memorial (Clovis, California) A hallmark tradition for Orinda Aquatics. This mid-winter four-day trip simulates a true collegiate championship environment with a heavy focus on high-yield preliminary heats, evening finals, and team-oriented relays. Historically, this is where Orinda Aquatics truly unites as a team; with room leadership, inspirational team meetings, team dinners, team bonding activities, and intense finals competition all support this.
Summer Peak Invitationals
Destination: Sectionals or Elite Invites (Santa Rosa, Roseville, or Novato) The long-course season culminates with a strategic travel trip within California. These meets are selected based on team and group fit, the opportunity to maximize performance at the individual and team levels.
Core Logistics & Protocol
Cohesive Group Transit — Swimmers travel together as a single unit via charter buses or vans departing directly from the Lamorinda area to the destination city. Unified Team Lodging — Room assignments are strategically paired by the coaching staff within a single hotel block to build peer accountability, personal connections, and travel maturity. The Professional Expectation — Because our athletes are expected to manage their own schedules, nutrition, and rest, the coaching staff oversees these trips without parent chaperones. Orinda Aquatics has a long history of highly successful team travel.
Travel Meet Preparation Roadmap
Phase 1: THREE to FOUR Weeks Out
Assess eligibility with the coach. If traveling, the staff will review event line-ups, the general meet overview. A travel deposit will be required as the staff will be securing hotels and transportation.
Phase 2: One Week Out
A detailed itinerary and meet information packet will be given out. This will cover all aspects of the trip for athletes and parents.
Phase 3: Two Days Out
The staff will hold a swimmer meeting to review trip details, objectives and expectations. Food orders will be taken, and team t-shirts will be handed out. You should begin to pack as well. Ensure you have your primary Arena racing suits, multiple spare team caps, warm-ups, and a dedicated supply of healthy recovery snacks to sustain your energy between swims and morning and evening sessions.
Phase 4: Departure Day
Arrive at the charter bus (or vans) staging area at least 20 minutes prior to departure. The staff will let the swimmers know of specific seating assignments. Swimmers are generally expected to bring food for the trip down. There are typically inspirational articles, trivia, swimming videos offered and the bus ride.
