Here's the feedback I provided to the camp contact:…read more I wanted to share some feedback about the process, as I believe it could be helpful to you as you establish your camp in Alameda. Throughout our conversations, we agreed on a discounted rate for my three kids, as well as the week and times. At no point was there any mention of a payment deadline or a time-sensitive requirement for securing the agreed price. After I sent the Venmo payment as instructed, I was surprised to learn that the price had suddenly increased to three times the original amount we discussed. I appreciate that you refunded my payment quickly, but the experience left me feeling disappointed and confused. As a parent, clear and consistent communication is very important, especially when it comes to planning and budgeting for my kids' activities. Practices like changing the price after an agreement--without prior notice--can be frustrating and may deter families from signing up or recommending your camp to others. I hope you'll consider making your policies and timelines more transparent in the future, so families know exactly what to expect.

Love their hours -- open late! The updated flooring is nice. Open play is only $10. We really like…read moreit here. :)

I'm finishing up the Learn to Row program this weekend. It has been the best! Sara, our instructor,…read moreis a world class expert and how lucky are we to find her in Oakland!? Rowing can be fun for anyone, at any age. I hope to continue into the Novice Program. Thanks for making this available East Bay Rowing Club!

I went to a Learn To Row in June 2014 for fitness, and I stayed for the EVERYTHING ELSE. I have…read morenever met a more welcoming, inspiring, and committed bunch of women in my entire life. You should check out EBRC if you want to try rowing, but be prepared to really, really like it. Like, welcome-to-your-new-lifestyle-you-only-THOUGHT-you-knew-what-your-anaerobic-threshold-was like it. I wasn't a stranger to the club--my partner joined in 2012, so I'd been to regattas and I knew about erging. And a friend's sister is a coxswain, so I knew a little about that. I'd just never picked up an oar. My dad had a rowing machine in the '80s, but that's as close as I ever got to crew. (Pity, as I'm a native New Englander.) Seven months later, that first bay down at JLAC is my home away from home, my medals have joined my partners on the wall, and regatta = date night. I learned more about myself in my first three months of rowing than I figured out in the first decade of so-called adulthood and came out happier, and fitter, on the other side...with a few dozen new friends and some seriously poetic experiences on the water. (YMMV--you get back what you put in.) Additional: If you read "The Boys In The Boat" and thought, "That sounds hard and kind of awesome," you belong with us.

It is a privilege to get James Kwan as your rowing coach. My son has been rowing for a few years…read more Lately we needed intervention in his rowing technique as his progress had plateaued. We were quite concerned as he was putting significant hours in rowing with relatively low outcome. We were looking for a different perspective and got in touch with James. We had read great reviews about him. We were a bit apprehensive though, given he worked from Oakland and we live across the bay. Regardless, James met my son in between. He defined an individualized program for him after observing his technique for a few days. He suggested improvements, changed his workouts almost every day doing it remotely through text messages. He collects feedback through videos, snapshots of the erg machine readings to customize the next workout. His acute attention to details brought significant improvement in my son's 6k and 2k scores. James works with the student no matter what their level. His personal commitment to his students, and his willingness to work with the parent to accommodate other priorities is admirable. Rarely you find an extremely talented individual with a down-to-earth attitude. We feel very fortunate to have James as my son's coach and mentor. We find James' dedication and discipline towards his work a hard act to follow. He is a role model for our family! Thank you James for the remarkable difference you have brought in our lives. I see my son's rowing and his confidence growing everyday.

OARS is a welcoming, fun, high quality competitive rowing program with awesome dedicated coaches…read moreand support staff. The team challenges its young athletes to work together to compete at a high level technically and physically. Perseverance. Dedication. Teamwork. My daughter loves the physical and mental challenge, and the opportunity to to row with a great group of kids.

Bay Star Tennis rocks! They give back to the community by donating 150+ balls to the 45th…read moreNihonmachi Street Fair - Doggie World (http://www.nihonmachistreetfair.org/nsf_doggieworld.htm). Balls and dogs, what could be better. Thanks again!

Paddled with the renegades for 4 months last year and had a blast. The team is very friendly to…read morenewbies and work very hard. There is some great talent and a great mix of people and practice sessions were very challenging. If I lived in Oakland, I would not miss a single practice but it is hard to make the weekday 5:45pm sessions since I commute from Redwood City. Check out their facebook page for more updates!! And go try it out, you will not be disappointed!!

Nice facility with 4 courts, Quality flooring. Decent sideline spacing and spectator seating. Clean…read morebathrooms. Parking lot available at $15 or free street parking. Clean bathrooms.

We came here for the championship game for AAU 4th grade tournament after playing at the Just Hoops…read morefacility earlier today. This facility is more spacious with 4 full courts, a concession stand, clean bathroom, and excellent HVAC control. We had a great experience as spectators.

For some reason, my previous review doesn't show up, so I wanted to re-iterate what a great program…read morethis is for swimmers in Alameda. I now have three children swimming (ages 6, 9, and 13) and couldn't ask for a better youth activity. We have now experienced nearly every coach on the team and they all bring amazing strengths to the experience. Coach Ben coaches my youngest and he truly has a gift with young children. Every day the kids are excited to see him and he makes the workout seem like fun and games. Yet he still manages to instill the discipline required to keep the workouts flowing and make sure the kids are safe and listening to instructions. Under his tutelage the kids get better almost without realizing it. My middle child has Coach Brett and his strength is imparting excellent technical skills while maintaining a fun atmosphere. My nine year old loves his jokes and sense of humor. She also knows, however, that she will be working hard every minute of the time she is there. While younger she would have hated that, but the swim program gradually builds the kids' enthusiasm and skills so that they are ready for the challenges that the next group brings. My oldest has Coach Marshall and for her it is like her family. They joke, laugh, tease, and work hard every single day to achieve her goals. Marshall works with each swimmer to determine what they want to accomplish and how to get there. Any assistance that she needs is available, including weight training, dry land, and a multitude of workouts per week. Gators has been so wonderful for her that she now wants to swim in college. I am confident that the team can help her get there. I encourage anyone with a child who loves swimming to try the Gators.

When other parents ask me about joining a swim team, I always steer them toward the Ala-Gators. My…read morethree kids have all been with the Ala-gators, so I'm in my 11th year with this Alameda institution. The coaches use positive reinforcement and let the kids think they're just having fun when actually they're learning! My very first Gator (now 17 years old) swims on the high school Varsity swim team, still loving it and now very competitive. The work ethic he learned with the Gators led him to be both Freshman and Sophomore "swimmer of the year". And he had fun working that hard. Rest assured that the life skills taught gently, positively, and subtly through the Ala-Gators will give your swimmer a solid base through high school, and beyond.