April Newsletter 2022

UPDATE FROM OUR GENERAL MANAGER

Dear Hills Members,

The pool deck resurfacing project was a success and I've received a lot of positive feedback from members about how good it looks and feels. There are a few small spots that will need to be corrected and although we plan to fix those sometime this month, more than likely it will happen after the Spring Break weeks when the kids are all back in school.

It was long overdue, but the parking lots were re-striped within the past week and they look much better. Please be advised, as always, that the upper parking lot is one way, meaning the lower entrance is an entrance only; please exit at the top (far end) of the lot. The freshly painted arrows should help with the direction in the Upper Lot.

A few reminders as the weather starts to heat up and more members begin utilizing the club:

Please be aware that the maximum number of people in the Family Hot Tub is nine.
Always keep a watchful eye on young children in the hot tub and keep them within arms reach.
If you reserve a cabana, please be respectful of the next member's reservation by cleaning up any trash, tidying up and leaving promptly at the end of your reservation time.

Happy Easter to everyone!

-Nick

Upcoming Events

April 11: Free Beginner/Novice Tennis Clinic 6-7pm
April 11: Intermediate/Advanced Tennis Clinic 7-8pm
Weekdays 11am-1pm: Pickleball on the basketball court

Art in the Lobby: Watercolors by Pilar Strutin-Belinoff

Pilar is an Oakland-based visual artist, and a member of The Hills. Though classically trained as a fine artist, she has spent most of her life working in design and technology. Her work is a contemplative view on our delicate and rapidly changing ecosystems. Her inspiration comes from colors and shapes that exist in our natural world. As simple as the seasonal blush on a petal or deeply carved canyons that water flow has been working through for centuries. While it's impossible to convey an environmental experience on paper, she balances the forces of gravity and her control to create dynamic compositions and the mere suggestion of feelings that come from natural phenomena.

If you are an artist and interested in exhibiting your work in The Hills lobby, please contact Sally Landis at [email protected].

Kids Summer Camp Right Around the Corner

Summer Kids Camp weeks are filling up quickly, so if you are thinking about registering your child(ren), now is the time!
This summer we will be offering a FULL day camp, 8:30am-5:30pm. Campers will participate in a variety of activities each day including (but not limited to) swimming, other outdoor sports, hikes, games, arts and crafts and theater. All pool activities will be supervised by a certified lifeguard.

Week 1: May 31 to June 3 (*no camp on Monday, May 30, Memorial Day*)
Week 2: June 6 to June 10
Week 3: June 13 to June 17
Week 4: June 20 to June 24
Week 5: June 27 to July 1
Week 6: July 4 to July 8
Week 7: July 11 to July 15
Week 8: July 18 to July 22
Week 9: July 25 to July 29
Week 10: August 1 to August 5
Week 11: August 8 to August 12

Registration is open. Cost: $500 per week* per camper
*$400 for Week 1 since it will only be a 4-day camp

If for some reason you are having difficulty trying to register, you can always reach me via email at [email protected] for any questions you may have regarding Summer Camp 2022. I look forward to seeing your children this coming summer!

- Anthony Lum, Summer Camp Director

Bringing Back Popular Group Ex Classes

We are so pleased to bring evening Pilates back to the studio. BZ's 5pm class returns Tuesday, April 5th. In addition, we are bringing dance back to the club on Sundays at 10am. Dance Fitness is a 50-minute class that incorporates all components of fitness and uses simple choreography for a full workout. This class features music from multiple genres with something for everyone - all are welcome. First class is April 10th. Lunchtime spin continues on Mondays and Fridays with a new start time of 12pm. Bring your lunch to the club and squeeze in a quick workout. There are some additional class changes, so please continue to check the online schedule for an up-to-date class schedule, and thank you for registering for classes in advance. In most cases it's not required, however, it assists us in determining class interest and also allows you to receive last-minute class information.

See you in class!
- Angelique Pine, Group Exercise Director, [email protected]

Achieve Peak Fitness w/ Small Group Training

Have you been wanting to get back into your fitness routine but aren't quite sure how or where to start? May I suggest a Peak Fit class?!? We offer both TRX specific classes and mixed format classes. Both classes are limited to 6-8 members which allows more one-on-one attention from our coaches, which in turn allows you to be more successful and challenged.

Our schedule is a little lighter this month. Some classes were canceled because of lower attendance. However, I am planning on adding some classes as we move into the summer months. We're still offering our unlimited promotion which gives you access to all classes for the whole month. We also offer a 10 class package at $150 and your drop in fee is $18 per class. Remember that your first class is free, so register and come on up!

Please remember to register for class ahead of time. This is important for two reasons:
1) To insure your spot. Our classes are limited to 6 (TRX) / 8 (Mixed Format)
2) So our amazing coaches can design their programs to best benefit you!

Lastly, please register only if you know you'll be there. Unregistering must be done 12 hours before class to avoid a penalty. We completely understand that emergencies happen, so please email me if that's the case.

Peak Fit Studio April Schedule:

Mondays: 6:30am (Mixed Format)
Tuesdays: 7:30am (TRX)
Thursdays: 7:30am (TRX)
Saturdays: 9:15am (TRX)

Let's have an amazing month!
- Jenn Nasab, Hills Fitness Coordinator, [email protected]

Mix Up Your Routine with a Personal Trainer

Spring is officially here! The sun is coming out and so are tank tops! In all seriousness, we would love to help you reach your fitness goals. Reach out to me directly to get started with your Fitness Orientation. Stop putting it off and start putting your health first! Remember to be kind and understanding with yourself, it's been a challenging couple of years. Be patient and focus on your health. Everything else will follow!

I also wanted to thank you all for your understanding as we address the fitness equipment that has been out of order or in less than optimal condition for some time. We're staying on top of it and hoping that all of our equipment will be 100% functional as soon as possible.

- Jenn Nasab, Hills Fitness Coordinator, [email protected]

The Hills Pilates & Wellness Studio Welcomes Spring

Happy Spring and welcome into the Hills Pilates and Wellness Studio!

Here are some of our exciting offerings:
This just in: Ballet for Kids starting soon, times and dates TBD! More info below.

Are you (and your friends) interested in joining a Reformer Pilates class? Contact our studio today! We are looking to expand our class offerings. Our reformer classes are hugely popular and many of our classes are selling out. Members and nonmembers are welcome to attend.

Are you looking to get some more pep in your step this spring?
Check out our CardioPilates class below, it offers a fantastic cardio and core based workout.

Are you having a hard time relaxing at the end of the day? Feeling pegged up? Feeling down? Then maybe it's time for you to give Calm and Centered - a class about how to regulate our nervous system and feel good - a try. Classes in session now, email us to join and to receive a recording to past classes.

We hope to see you soon in our studio!

Be Well and Breathe,

-Therese, Anne, Barbara,Yulia, Colleen and Elizabeth

Contact our studio:
[email protected]

Follow us on Instagram and get inspired to do Pilates:
https://www.instagram.com/hillspilatesandwellness/

Ballet & Pre-Ballet Coming Soon!

We are thrilled to announce the return of our Kid's Dance Program at the club, taught by a professional ballerina. This program will extend into the summer months and we will celebrate our young dancers with a recital at the end of the semester.
Ages 4 and up.
For more information, please contact our studio: [email protected]

Calm & Centered: Boost Your Nervous System To Feel Good

How are you feeling? Are you a little worn down by everyday stress and too much "doom" scrolling?

In this "Calm & Centered" class we use somatic therapy techniques, meditation, martial arts, Pilates, breath work, and other methods to combat the damaging effects of chronic stress and to improve our overall health and wellbeing.

Tuesdays, 5-6pm, cost $25 per class
This class is offered over Zoom. Contact our studio for more info: [email protected]

Cardio Pilates & More: Wednesdays at 9:30am

Reformer training is fun and Cardio trampoline and jumpboard training on the reformer is even more fun! This is a safe workout for beginners and experienced Pilates students. Cardio trampoline Pilates is also a terrific rehab tool for knee replacement and other lower extremities.

Sign up online: https://cachstc.clubautomation.com/

Reformer Pilates Classes

There is a reformer Pilates class for everyone, beginner to expert. Are you new to Pilates and/or to the reformer? Contact our studio today to schedule an intake session where we do an assessment of your goals, injuries, and give you an introduction to the reformer equipment: [email protected]
Sign up for class online: https://cachstc.clubautomation.com/

You find our updated class schedule here:
PILATES STUDIO SCHEDULE APRIL 2022

Keep On Keepin' On, On Zoom!

Our "Keep it Moving" on Zoom is in its 3rd year(!) and still going strong. This is small group training where we connect on Zoom and improve our fitness with music, dance, strength training, and lots of Pilates! Wednesdays at 5:15pm. Sign up online at: https://cachstc.clubautomation.com/

Partner Up with Your Own Pilates Coach

Our Pilates instructors have decades of experience in Pilates, wellness, fitness, and exercise science. We offer Pilates training for injury rehab and "prehab", athletic conditioning, cancer treatment recovery and more. You can train with us over Zoom too. Contact our studio to learn more and to sign up: [email protected]

Aqua Fitness Builds Strength & Stamina

Held in the diving well, our aqua fitness classes are a great low-impact group exercise class that is included with your membership. Join the class for a fun workout designed to burn fat, increase cardiovascular fitness, and range of motion and muscle tone. Plus, it's a great cross training exercise. Participants will use flotation belts, noodles, styrofoam barbells and more to perform a variety of motions including water walking/running, abdominal work and toning exercises.
Our water workouts are offered 3 days a week from 9-10am and are typically a fun and social atmosphere, so grab a friend and come up to the club for a morning aqua fitness class!

Tuesdays with Bz
Thursdays with Sandra
Sundays with various instructors (please refer to the online schedule for the specific instructor for each Sun class)

Our aqua fitness classes are popular and therefore we kindly ask that you register in advance if you plan on participating.

Springtime Means Tennis Time

Through tennis, we can better connect and build the community at The Hills. In an effort to build new relationships (and maybe find some new playing partners!), members have asked if we could form an email chain where they can find players with similar skills. If you are interested in connecting with other tennis players, stop at the front desk and ask them for the sign-up sheet and leave your contact information. If we collect enough names, we'll share the list with all interested members next month.

For those adults new to tennis or looking to improve your backhand, join us on the second Monday of each month for our complimentary Adult Tennis Clinics! No sign-up necessary. This monthly event is free, and open to members only. From 6-7pm, beginners get an hour of instruction; 7-8pm is for intermediate/advanced players. Eddie Pasternak leads these clinics each month for adults with all skill levels. If rain is in the forecast, the clinic will be held the following week.

And for those members wanting to meet up for a friendly match or even a competitive doubles match, you can book a 1-hour court reservation per day either on our Manzanita Court or Diablo Court. If you are interested in nighttime tennis, you can reserve Diablo Court after dark as this court has lights.

Just a reminder, that we now have a Tennis Ball Machine available for members to use! It is located on the Manzanita Court, in the corner near the stairs. For those who would like to use it, simply reserve the court for an hour as usual. The brand of machine is Spinshot and the instructions can be found with the machine inside the storage container. So far I have received very positive comments from some of the members who have had a chance to try it out. They recommend downloading the app and using it to control the settings of the machine, which does have it's own wifi signal. Please, please, please, handle the ball machine with care, and always remember to plug the battery charging cord back into it when done using so that it charges for the next member.

Tae Kwon Do Teaches Discipline

If you're looking for an activity that your kids are sure to enjoy, check out our exciting Tae Kwon Do program. It introduces kids to this ancient Korean art of self defense and teaches courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit! Tae Kwon Do can help kids ease emotional problems such as stress and depression, while promoting physical fitness. This is a year-round program for kids ages 5-17. Each session involves kicking, punching and self defense, but most of all, we encourage the kids to have fun. The goal of the program is to instill confidence, teach respect, and focus on raising self esteem. Currently there are 10 students enrolled ranging from 6 years old to 11-½ years old.

Days/Times: Tuesdays & Thursdays 3:30–4:45pm (Beginner)
Tuesdays & Thursdays 6–7:15pm (Advanced)

Member cost: $85 per month
Non-member: $100 per month

For more information or to register your child, please contact:
Jeff Allen - [email protected]
510-339-0234 x18

Hills Aquatics: It's Time to Swim

Lap Lane Swimming Rules:

Lap Lane reservations remain weekdays from 9am-2pm in lanes 4, 5, & 6. All other lanes and times are available for shared member swimming.
Please Note: Hills Hurricane Swim Team will be using no more than 4 lanes from 4-8pm, Monday-Friday.

Hot Tub Rules:

Adult hot tub is for ages 18 years and up
Only 9 people allowed in adult hot tub as well as family hot tub at any time
Children younger than 14 years old must have an adult guardian within arm's reach
Flotation devices, toys, kickboards and horseplay are not allowed
No food or drinks in or near the hot tubs

Lifeguard Certification Course This Month!

This course provides entry-level participants the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until EMS personnel take over.

Prerequisites:
Minimum age of 15 years old; Swim 300 yards continuously; Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs; Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds by starting in the water, swimming 20 yards, surface dive to a depth of 7-10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point, exit the water without using steps or a ladder.

Participants who successfully complete this lifeguarding course receive an American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED, valid for 2 years.

The deadline to enroll in this course is April 15. Online course completion required prior to in-person training. (Plan to set aside approximately 7 hours to complete the online portion.)

In-Person Skills dates
Saturday, April 23 8:00am - 12:30pm
Sunday, April 24 8:00am - 12:30pm

Open to both club members and non-members. Register here. (Non-members must submit this form and email to the Aquatics Director, [email protected] prior to registering)

Jr Lifeguard Camp Offered This Summer

Trying to find something for your tween/teen to do this summer? There are still a few spots open for our Jr. Lifeguard Camp! We are offering this weeklong program to 10-15 year olds the following two weeks: June 13-17 and June 27-July 1. The Junior Lifeguard Training Program has been developed to serve many purposes where water safety is our primary goal. Along with water safety activities, we engage in CPR and First Aid training. A secondary benefit is the unique combination of establishing the foundation for good work skills, responsibilities, skill development, competition, and leadership skills. Throughout the week we provide a well-rounded training experience that includes 30 minutes of daily fitness, lectures, demonstrations, and team building activities. An additional two hours per week of volunteering may be required by each Junior guard. Course prerequisite: 50 yards of freestyle or breaststroke. Retrieve a 10-lb. brick from a depth of 12 feet. Swim underwater 15 feet.

Lunch/Snacks are not currently provided. Time: 9am-2pm daily. Cost: $390 per member per session.

Non-members must submit this form prior to registration and email or deliver it to the Aquatics office. An email notification will then be sent with directions how to register online.

REGISTER NOW!

Learning to Swim is Not Just For Kids

Additional Openings for Private and Semi-Private Swim Lessons

Our seasonal instructor, Maddy Porras, is available for swim lessons April 13-24. In addition, her afternoons will be open for lessons through May. Maddy is great with little kids and has experience helping them get comfortable with the water and learning to swim on their own. You can contact her here.

Anyone interested in booking with Maddy should follow the swim lessons booking instructions here and send your request to her email.

We hope to have more swim instructors available as we head into the summer months.
Learn more about our offerings here!

Hills Hurricane Swim Team

The competitive team is currently fully subscribed. Full information such as practice times and season dates is located here on the team website. We are not holding tryouts at this time.

Manta Rays & Tidal Waves Pre-Comp Program

Our popular Manta Rays and Tidal Waves pre-comp program is a great introduction to swim team and the best option for 4-10 year olds new to swimming. Our coaches focus on teaching everything from basic swimming skills to full stroke technique, all while introducing the kids to swimming terminology. We use the diving well for these programs and classes meet month to month. Sign ups for each session will open a few weeks prior to the beginning of each session. Instructions on how to register online or App here. NOTE: These 30-minute classes fill up fast!

SPRING SESSION DATES & TIMES

Session 4: WED/FRI April 6-29 (CLASSES FULL)
Session 5: WED/FRI May 4-27

Register Here!
Non-Members must submit this form prior to registration and email or deliver it to the Aquatics office. An email notification will then be sent with directions how to register online.

Cost Member: W/F $115, Cost Non-Member: W/F $155

Due to high demand, there are NO REFUNDS or PRO-RATING for these classes for any reason. Swimmers are expected to meet the prerequisite on day one of the class. Classes meet near the diving well.

Manta Rays (Pre-Swim Team) AGE 4-8 W/F 4-4:30pm
Prerequisite: Swimmers must be able to tread in deep water for 30 seconds. Swimmers must be able to swim unassisted for 10 yards. Swimmers will learn basic swimming skills for all four strokes. Team activity skills and group swim safety are introduced. Instruction will be conducted in and out of the water.

Tidal Waves (Novice Swim Team) AGE 6-10 W/F 4:30-5pm
Swimmers must pass the prerequisite for swim team: *50 yards of freestyle with side breathing *25 yards of back swimming *Treading water for 30 seconds *Streamline off the wall for 5 yards. This group will prepare swimmers for the swim team. This class will incorporate on-deck coaching with minimal in water instruction.

Pickleball, Basketball, Ping Pong

Reservations for our pickleball/basketball court have returned. Members can book an hour "block" of time to use the court. This does not mean that the court has to be used solely by one family unit during the hour; feel free to welcome and/or challenge other members to a friendly pickleball or basketball game. If you don't have your own equipment, you can ask the front desk staff for the pickleball bag (complete with paddles and balls) and/or basketballs.

Our court is reserved exclusively for pickleball from 11am to 1pm on weekdays. Games during these "open" weekday hours are friendly, social games with some accommodations made for beginning players. You'll see people of all ages and athletic ability having fun on our court. If you are not familiar with pickleball, it's easiest to learn the rules of play and scoring and the order of serving if you play with someone who already knows them, so mark your calendar and/or book a reservation and head up to the club to join in on the fun!

Just outside of our enclosed court, we have 2 ping pong (or table tennis) tables. Both young and old can improve eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills by playing ping pong. The front desk has paddles and balls for members to borrow, so take a break from the pool and start some friendly competition with other members!

All we ask is that you kindly return any borrowed equipment to the front desk when you are finished playing.

Relax in Our Cabanas

Reservations for our cabanas open at 8am 3 days in advance. For example, on Tuesday morning at 8am, members can log in and book a cabana reservation for Friday. Please be aware that families can only make one 2-hour reservation per day. We kindly ask that members tidy up the cabana at the end of each use.

Celebrate April Employee Birthdays

Please join us in wishing each of them a happy birthday and thanking them for all of their hard work!

Stefani McDermott, 04/03
Barbara Hoffer, 04/26
Angelique Pine, 04/27
Bex Carpio-Ortiz, 04/28