The reason why i love almaden spirit athletics is because they have coaches who are supportive and…read morebelieves in you no matter what. im on team crystal and this gym during a performance they will cheer you on or support you. im in a class and when i first join a year and 2 months i already almost have the skills that i need. im grateful for this gym because i was in a very toxic dance company and now im here cheering. thank u asa truly and the athletes , coaches .

I have been waiting to write an official review to get my view from a personal level. Phew, what…read morecan I say.. I rated ASA five stars and I truly mean that with the company as a whole. My left our old gym due to it not being a good fit for my daughter anymore. My daughter is extremely driven and has a huge passion for cheer and tumbling. We are on the Elite Youth teams, we have two coaches who truly were a blessing for what my daughter needed. They are the perfect balance of structure and nurturing she has grown so much since we have been at this gym thanks to them and it has been it's truly amazing. Her memory is getting better and she is able to retain choreography faster as well as has been doing better in school with memory retention which she has always struggled with, She takes flexibility once a week, which has given her such beautiful tumbling form with straight legs. She loves tumbling and is always hungry to learn new skills. When we came she was a level 2 tumbler and in 7 months she is already perfecting some level 4 skills and she just turned 8 years old last week. The gym also offers open gym once a week for the students to work on their routine or tumbling, giving students always the opportunity to self improve. Privates- I believe all or mostly all coaches offer private lessons. Whenever we have choreo changed: learning a new skill or just want extra help to perfect skills we do private lessons. We have worked with many coaches at the gym. Coach Corrine is a sweet soul, shes fantastic for students who are learning new skills, she's very patient and encouraging and my daughter loved working with her. Coach Roy is perfect for high level tumblers who want to work and perfect skills, he has had many years in the business and has a huge understanding of the body mechanics that go into high-level skills! Families- Coming into a new gym the family dynamic is huge, it could be a make or break for the experience and I am saying we have some of the nicest families, we were welcomed to the team immediately. Our team has built our own little cheer family and it makes traveling for comps so enjoyable having each other to lean on, during very long comp days. Owner and management- our owner lives for her business, she truly puts her heart and soul into each and every team within her company. She takes time to get to know all the athletes in her program and spends equal attention to the senior teams as much a the novice. Her management team is ON IT! You need something, help with billing, scheduling, ordering and it is always a rapid response! We also have online apps to be able to communicate so any questions to owner or staff you can always get to who you need without stressing and guessing. When choosing a gym my main concerns were, is my daughter learning and advancing in her skills and is my daughter being taken care of emotionally, I never want to see the light in her dimmed and the love for the sport go away as well as I feel a trophy is never worth my daughters mental health. When I pick my daughter up from the studio she is motivated and hungry to come back and learn more, she would live at the gym if I let her. That is what makes ASA a wonderful healthy environment for young athletes.

Coach Gabe brings passion that is real, powerful, and contagious. We were on Coach Gabe's NJB…read morebasketball team for 3rd and 4th graders and this was our son's first time playing with NJB. He had played two seasons with Upward and was ready to move on to a more competitive league. Our son had to learn all the rules and playing his position. We started taking him to Coach Gabe's Rise Above training and our son quickly developed into a very strong player. He actually made the All Star Team. In addition, Coach Gabe took our NJB team to Championship and we won, plus we were the only undefeated team in the league. The incredible growth and improvement in playing the game of basketball individually and as a team was evident, and incredible and just amazing to watch. Our son will continue to play with Rise Above.

Coach Gabe is one of a kind! He worked with my daughter and not only did her skills improve but so…read moredid her confidence. He's really good with the kids and has exceptional coaching skills. We felt very lucky we discovered him. I highly recommend Coach Gabe!

Cannot say enough about the positive experience our family had with this organization. As with all…read moreyou sports there was ups and down's but the bottom line of the children came first always prevailed. Our previous experience in a POP Warner league team was a terrible one and we considered not returning to a Peninsula Pop Warner team at all. We were told to give the mustangs a chance and it was a 180 degree difference. The board members really make this happen (you have to remember these are volunteer members) they go above and beyond to ensure everything goes smooth and on time. There level of communication is awesome our team MOM was awesome. The equipment manager "Dom" is a diamond, he moves around double triple checking the fit of equipment for the children. He stays on top of the safety and removes broken or subpar equipment rite away. The coaches coach to the best of their abilities and partner up with each other and other coaches to further the knowledge and or learning of the game as well. They all just seem to want to offer the best of not just on field and in the competition of the game but also a real example of their positions. Our head coach struggled in the start of the season but noticed a couple of his AST. Coaches were getting and connecting better he moved them into calling plays and forward roles and the children as a team responded. That showed me so much of the leadership of the coaches. Like I said I cannot say enough about this program it is a stand up program I wish them the best as this is our last season my son is off to high school. Thank you all for a great year and experience.

This review is purely for Zog's volleyball league. This league is extremely beginner level. Lots of…read morework teams and new players. Occasionally you will have a couple people who come into this league knowing how to play volleyball but are there anyways for a ego boost. If you are new to volleyball, read here. Yes this league may be a good starting point as it's very beginner level play, it's good for work teams and meeting new people. But you won't want to be here for long. There are the occasional try-hards that will come into the league to feel good about themselves by hitting hard and running plays on a net that's lower than women's height. Another downside is that some of these players think they can play but in fact they are very dangerous and make it very unsafe. Landing under the net and causing ankle sprains when you block is very common here. So play smart, watch out for others. If you have some volleyball experience and understand the game, read here. This league is very poorly ran. You have one ref that does not understand the rules of volleyball. No calls are made, clear doubles where the ball is spiraling, crazy players who jump and land under the net, players touching the net and lifts. You call your own lines, so in and out calls are all on you and the other team. The ref literally is there to just blow the whistle for serve and then flip the score. They dont even have anyone setting up the nets for you as well, so you need to set it up yourself. The net is literally lower than womens height. So if you're here playing with some new friends who are learning to play, have some integrity to play to the level of others and be safe. I played in this league before it became Zog (Dynamic sports) id say it has changed but not for the better. Same stuff as it was 5-6 years ago. If you are looking for some better play there are other leagues out there. Campbell Community center used to have a good one they may or may not still be running. Then there's IVL if you're looking for competitive play. Zog by far is the most expensive league and the total amount of games you play in the season is less then all these other leagues I mentioned. So if you're factoring bang for your buck. Zog is definitely not that.

Age required: 21 Age…read moreas of May, 9th 2022 Why this arbitrary requirement? The league starts in early 2023. I turned 21 in August, so apparently even though I am of proper age I needed to be a few months older to qualify for this league. Can anyone explain an intelligible reason for this?

My daughter has been coming to AA since she was about 6 years old and now is playing 12u travel…read moreball. We owe a lot of her success to this Academy. Coach Megan has developed her as a pitcher. Coach Debbie helped her transition from a right handed hitter to a left handed hitter/slapper in less than a year. From lessons to clinics to live hitting this facility offers so much and has great instructors. Highly recommend this facility whether you're a beginner or advanced ball player.

All the coaches are top notch really care about the girls and their development, they are always…read morewillingly to help and they are flexible.

The damn (ex) boyfriend!…read more In a two-day 16hr training session of 24 ladies 25-65 yrs, we heard time after time about how the girls got into cycling through the boyfriend, who, steered them all over the place - into the wrong seat, bad pedals, improper shoes, the wrong bike and insufficient education. The "Girls Got Skills" training with VeloGirls (Lorrie Lown) is designed to demystify cycling and break all the bad habits the boys teach us. After crashing, thrashing and bashing many of the ladies found their way to this course and left with so much confidence that "boy beater" should be the 'graduation' status. It's a course for all levels, yes even the experienced riders came back to basics. Lorri has is all set up with lessons, practice, pacing, food, fun and plenty of challenge - which we appreciated. The coaches and mentors were great supporters. Bummer is... I waited too long to hop on the Velogirls' train. It's the best way to ride safe, happy and fun in the Bay Area. Keep a look out for all kinds of rides, training/educational programs and good fun with the girls. Oh, and there is a co-ed singles ride every month too.

Velo Girls ROCKS!!!! I moved back home to the bay recently and felt like I didn't know anyone after…read morebeing away for a couple years... I picked up cycling - since that's what you do if you live in Palo Alto - and contacted the Velo Girls cycling club to find other women to ride with at my level. I have had an amazing experience with the group, everyone is so supportive a welcoming and we really have fun together! Lorri, the founder of the group is great and very knowledgeable - she has taught a ton of people to ride and has excellent communication skills that translate valuable information to even the most novice riders. More to love: 1) The club works as a valuable support network - members can reach out to one another to ask questions about anything cycling related and get answers from people with a lot of experience. I've also been able to schedule my own informal ride through the group email and meet other riders at my level. 2) They have scheduled rides (almost every day) all over the bay for road, mountain and cyclocross riders. 3) Lorri offers personal instruction --- including a race development program 4) They offer some free workshops that focus on things like basic bike handling skills and maintenance. 5) It's only $45/ year to join!

These girls are energetic, tough, and competitive! Great fun to watch them battle it out on…read morerollers. You can get right up close to the action (though don't be surprised if one of the Dames takes a tumble into you!), be entertained for hours & generally have a grand ol' time for just $15. How can you beat that? Equally important is the fact that the Dames treat their fans right. They are personable & even have an "after party" where fans can hang out with their favorite Dames. And they support younger girls through a derby tots program that helps build confidence & character in young ladies.

Monterey will no longer be only known for just Canary Row, The Aquarium or Seca Raceway any more…read more They will now be known for their Dames, bad ass ladies that kick ass on the Derby circuit track. A new team, newly established by former members of other Bay Area teams, and fresh blood that have trained hard to jam, block and skate their way to your hearts. Don't miss out on the action derby pack fun and make sure to cheer for The Dames. They've worked hard to make a great impression in the Bay Area, so let them represent and show you what their made of. Get ready for a rockin' show!

I went to my first SCDG game last night. The opening bout of the 2011 season. I can say, with all…read morehonesty, that I have not had that good of a time anywhere else in a while. Not only are these women serious athletes and fearless competitors but they are beautiful, confident, intelligent, funny and individually unique. I want to be them when I grow up. Additionally, this was a very well produced event. The Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium is a great little venue. Tickets, security, music, beer and souvenir sales were all well run... and, for the novice, the game (rules, scoring etc) is explained briefly in the beginning with the teams taking a lap or two and going through the motions so as to make sure everyone in the audience understands and has a great time. I found this to be very, very helpful. This is definitely a family event, too. It is a serious game, but there is also a huge sense of fun. Kids are welcome and the theme of this bout was "mardi gras" so you saw people in costumes, masks, feather boas and beads. The announcers are funny and did a couple of giveaways before the event. Plus you saw a lot of great homemade signs made in support of favorite girls. Lastly, there were a lot of significant others and families involved by way of taking photos or otherwise volunteering. It was really a nice vibe. During halftime, the Jr. Derby Girls came out and did a short match as well. These girls are in the 10-17 age bracket and what a great thing to see. The comradery and spirit between the women of derby and the younger up and coming generation (coaching, supporting and standing by the sidelines to high five after the game) was really, truly heart warming. There is music and a lot of yelling during the match, of course, so if you're sensitive to that kind of thing you might consider bringing earplugs but I didn't find it to be a problem. It's FAR less loud than a concert that's for sure. So. There you have it. I am, from this day forward.. a HUGE fan... and I would highly recommend you check it out for yourself. I promise you that you will not be disappointed. Also, SCDG is a non-profit. If you enjoy yourself, do consider donating. :-)

Kick a$$ girls rolling around the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, with a DJ spinnin' great tunes…read more.. what better way to spend a Saturday night?! I witnessed them SPANK the Redding Angry Beavers 121 - 22. Seriously, 99 point spread. Forget the roller derby you saw in the 70's, on TV. These girls are tough, graceful, and athletic!! The halftime show were dance numbers by students (kids and teens) of a Santa Cruz dance studio. They kept the place pumped up for the 2nd half. The bout was SOLD OUT! This is the place to be... you see families, older parent/grandparent types, kids, co-eds, and everyone in between. Spend the $20 and check it out for yourself. It's general admission but there's not a bad seat in the entire place. Of course, if you get a seat up front, you may get sprayed by perspiration when the girls come flying around the turn. Don't worry if you don't know the rules or understand the game. They do a quickie run down on the rules. Emceed by the one and only Lex, of Survivor fame. They sell cute t-shirts too! Get out there and show some love for the girls!

Cali All Stars is definitely a top-tier gym with a celebrity reputation. That said, they don't…read morealways put their money where their mouth is. While they preach that athletes must meet certain skill levels--like having tumbling or flexibility--it's not consistently applied. There are athletes on higher-level teams (like J2 Crew, Covert, Swagg, and Pink) who lack basic tumbling skills or flexibility, yet they still get picked year after year. Meanwhile, kids who do have the skills are often overlooked. For example, there was a girl on J2 Crew who has been there for years and still doesn't have a back handspring. Yet, an athlete didn't get to fly because she was a priority. Weird. Cali is an amazing gym if you fit the "type" or look they're going for. But if you don't, skillset alone might not get you where you deserve to be. Just know--it's not always about talent. Sometimes, it's about the image they want to present. Your team will WIN but your child internally may not.

My daughter did recreation cheer for a few years, and she decided that she wasn't learning any new…read moretechniques. Which I do agree with her. She begged my hubby and I to take her to Cali. At first we told her why can't you go to Valley Cheer as it was in our hometown. Well long story short, we ended up taking her to Cali. Best decision we ever made. She started on a senior level 1 team as a flyer, which she loves. Let's just say she has the bug. She wanted to do Cali for a year to improve so she could tryout for HS Cheer, well guess what?!? You got it, she didn't tryout for HS as her main focus is to move up a level each year with Cali. This year she made a Jr. Level 2 team. She is one of the oldest, and is now a base. She is enjoying learning how to base, and her tumbling has improved in less than 2 years. This year will give her the opportunity to be a leader to the younger kids on the team. The staff is incredible!!! Calvin and Andrew were terrific coaches last year when she was on Deja Blue. They taught her to believe in herself. She gained confidence as well as wonderful friendships (so did this momma). The gym has taught her how to work hard, have goals and be disciplined. She has experienced highs, lows and many life lessons. We look forward to her year on J2-Crew, and working with Coach Brittany & Matt. Faith over Fear!!! Cali

I played ZogSports volleyball for two seasons and thought the games were generally well organized…read more I enjoyed having a weekly game to look forward to, and it was a good amount of exercise and socializing. My team even got friendly enough to hit up a bar on occasion after a game and most of my original team even came to my birthday party. In the second season that I played, the organizers were starting to have some issues with facilities and also one game during which the referee didn't show. However they were otherwise quite professional. The locations tend to have convenient parking and the hours for games are reasonable. I was hoping to switch to their newly formed Sunday leagues but the most recent season of that got cancelled due to low enrollment. At this point I am looking into switching to a different sport or a local league by a different organization, but I'm glad I got my start here!

This review is purely for Zog's volleyball league. This league is extremely beginner-level. Lots of…read morework teams and new players. Occasionally you will have a couple of people who come into this league knowing how to play volleyball but are there anyways for an ego boost. If you are new to volleyball, read here. Yes, this league may be a good starting point as it's very beginner-level play, it's good for work teams and meeting new people. But you won't want to be here for long. There are the occasional try-hards that will come into the league to feel good about themselves by hitting hard and running plays on a net that's lower than women's height. Another downside is that some of these players think they can play but in fact they are very dangerous and make it very unsafe. Landing under the net and causing ankle sprains when you block is very common here. So play smart, watch out for others. If you have some volleyball experience and understand the game, read here. This league is very poorly run. You have one ref that does not understand the rules of volleyball. No calls are made, clear doubles where the ball is spiraling, crazy players who jump and land under the net, and players touching the net and lifts. You call your own lines, so in and out calls are all on you and the other team. The ref literally is there to just blow the whistle for serve and then flip the score. They dont even have anyone setting up the nets for you as well, so you need to set it up yourself. The net is literally lower than womens height. So if you're here playing with some new friends who are learning to play, have some integrity to play to the level of others and be safe. I played in this league before it became Zog (Dynamic sports) id say it has changed but not for the better. Same stuff as it was 5-6 years ago. If you are looking for some better play there are other leagues out there. Campbell Community center used to have a good one they may or may not still be running. Then there's IVL if you're looking for competitive play. Zog by far is the most expensive league and the total amount of games you play in the season is less than all these other leagues I mentioned. So if you're factoring bang for your buck. Zog is definitely not that.