I rarely take the time to leave reviews, let alone ones of this nature, but after the appalling…read moretreatment I endured at Oakland Strokes, I feel not only compelled--but morally obligated--to share my experience with prospective participants and their families. On the day in question, I was wrongfully implicated in an incident involving name-calling aboard the boat. I was seated in the stern, far removed from the individuals at the bow who were reportedly instigating the behavior. At the time, I (along with several others) believed the banter was mutual and lighthearted, as even the person later identified as the target appeared to be laughing. When the truth became evident, I took the mature initiative to apologize directly to the individual--on behalf of myself and those who lacked the courage or accountability to do so. Rather than treating the situation with nuance or seeking to understand context, the coaching staff proceeded with a blanket punishment that was both excessive and insensitive. I was forced to row on land extensively and then ordered to complete six laps in the heat. Despite clearly informing the coaches that I have asthma--a legitimate medical condition--my health concerns were completely dismissed, demonstrating a shocking lack of concern for participant wellbeing. What followed was not merely poor coaching--it was emotional degradation. After being publicly humiliated by the staff, I retreated to a bathroom stall in distress. To my horror, several campers--at the direction of the coaches--crawled under the stall and unlocked the door, completely violating my privacy in what can only be described as an invasive and traumatic act. Moments later, coaches began yelling at me through a megaphone inside the bathroom. This is not just unprofessional. It is psychologically damaging, and, in my opinion, borders on harassment and emotional abuse. Oakland Strokes utterly failed in its duty of care. What I experienced was punitive, degrading, and potentially traumatizing. I have since informed my parents of the full situation and am actively considering reporting this to the authorities. The actions taken by staff members crossed a line that no young athlete should ever have to face. Needless to say, I will not be returning to this program--ever. I made it very clear to the head coach how offensive, humiliating, and devastating this experience was. Unfortunately, my concerns were met with little empathy and no accountability. To any parent considering enrolling their child at Oakland Strokes: please think twice. No organization should be allowed to operate with such a blatant disregard for youth safety, dignity, and mental health. This is not the kind of discipline that builds resilience. It is the kind that causes lasting harm. I hope this review prevents others from enduring the same treatment I did.

My daughter started rowing with Oakland Strokes in Middle School. She started out more as a book…read moreworm but has learned to love being on the water and competing as a team. The coaching is amazing and they pay attention to the details. As a parent I appreciate that safety is a priority and every kid is given a chance to excel in the sport. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication and I'm so thankful for the life skills my daughter is learning and how strong she has become. Go Strokes!

This place is awesome…read more We practice dragonboat out of this site. It's got plenty of parking, a public bathroom (and a private one if the Aquatic Center is open) and it provides programming for kids in the area. A bunch of other clubs rent their facilities ... but I think their long term vision is eventually to bring all the programming in house - and really make it for the kids and the community. They have a girls crew team that practices out of here. I attended a fundraiser for that a few nights ago and it's really a great cause. I'm all for programs that encourages, build confidence, supports young women. Sometimes there are weird people in the parking lots (some of those weird people are my teammates), and they need to take care of geese poop ... but I think all of these issues are ones that with more funding and support, can be easily improved upon. This place has easy access from the freeways, it's close to a bunch of businesses for after practice drinks / dining and compared to other practice sites, you won't get malaria or West Nile virus.

Why haven't more people been to this place? It is AWESOME!!! The first time I came here was for a…read moreretirement party upstairs. This summer however I'm taking kayaking here through Laney with my best friend. She's moving to Hawaii and wouldn't it be cool to kayak with her in Hawaii? Anyways...it is the first week of class and I am LOVING IT! The facility is clean, the workers are all so nice and friendly. The classes are awesome. I thought my kayaking class would be just us playing in the water however, the very first day we were learning the rules of water traffic, how to go forwards, backwards, stop, and even how to rescue a kayak buddy if they were to fall into the water. How cool is that? I cannot wait to see what we are going to learn next!!! I will update this review at the end of classes.

This is a critical review because there is nowhere else to criticize the programs I have issues…read morewith. Alameda Rec blanket covers these bad programs and allows the to continue despite obvious shortcomings. My daughter took a variety of summer camps in 2023. We went through the catalogue in the spring and had no issues picking any of our selections. She enjoyed, Hanabi Judo: Pokemon Camp, Young Rembrandts: Colorful Critters Workshop & Children's Aikido. The issues were with: CRTW: Oodles of Noodles, Play-Well: Minecraft Engineering w/ LEGO & Play-Well: STEM + Animal Architects w/ LEGO. Oodles of Noodles was the main offender with an additional $150 for materials that were is definitely overpriced. My daughter chopped vegis for two days of five and not much more than that. She did not learn a single sauce recipe or even tired various sauces to learn what's out there. The teachers were often on their phones bragging about the door dash being delivered to eat in front of the kids but not share. The Lego classes were generally a disappointment, with minor projects loosely tiesdto a theme but most of the time was just freeplay. My daughter was excited for weeks looking forward to the minecraft camp, but left deflated. I honestly felt like I let her down because there wasn't an opportunity to switch another camp, just money paid for "glorified" childcare. We will never sign up for these class again, will advise all within my social circle the same and will do thorough research before selecting future classes within Alameda Rec. I do think there are worthy camps to select.

There has got to be some serious Happy Juice infused in the water that the ARPD staff drinks…read more Seriously, I don't think I've ever used any city's parks, camps, after-school daycare, teen center and field trip operation with such a collectively friendly, helpful, and patient staff. Personally, as the victim of constant 'Mom Poisoning," which typical symptoms often include: random forgetfulness, sleep deprivation, looking constantly dazed and confused, referring to one of your children in a conversation when you were really meaning to refer to another one, talking to the imaginary little plump fairies flying around you a lot of the time while in mid-conversation with a real human being, and sailing away merrily alone in your car after forgetting to make sure that your child actually managed to make his/her way physically into the car with you when you came to pick him/her up. Despite all of my Mom Poisoning symptoms, the ARPD staff has always treated me with the utmost cheerful understanding and respect. Let's look at a few examples of my interactions with them, and compare the responses to what Your Average (anyplace) City Schmuck Park Employee (YACSPE) *could* say to me, the Mom-Poisoned ("MP"). Me (MP) to the ARPD WOW camp staff after taking 6 year old wild child to the completely wrong park thinking it was a the week of a certain soccer camp that actually wasn't happening for another two weeks. MP: I can't believe I got this soccer camp week wrong by two weeks. ARPD staff: No problem, Ms. S. Turns out his regular camp park group is coming over in about 45 minutes for a camp-wide special event at our park so they can just give him a ride back to the correct park and camp after that. MP: I feel like such a ditz ARPD: Don't worry Ms. S., it happens all the time. What a "Your Average Daily City Schmuck Park Employee" (YACSPE) would at least think: What the hell kind of mother are you? That camp isn't for two more weeks! Don't you ever look at a calendar and write these things down? Nutso parent! Get a clue! MP: To the ARPD counselors at the Teen Center after my then twelve-year-old son questioned the existence of God a bit too bluntly to some both very sensitive and even more "very* Christian home-schooled tweens there: MP: I'm really sorry that he offended those kids. Anything that seems "Fundamentalist' to him when discussing religion gets him as riled up as a particular very openly opinionated, sarcastic, swearing, liberal uncle who means well and advocates free speech....and I've reminded him time and again that it's okay to ask questions, but try not to offend people when you do, even if you don't agree with them one bit. ARPD: That's okay. We discussed that he needed to think through what he is going to say in advance since it really did hurt those kids' feelings. However, there wasn't any real harm done. YACSPE might say: Why isn't your son on some serious meds to keep him sedated? Now we could face a major lawsuit against the local churches those students attend! MP to the ARPD RAP (after-school care) staff after wild child decided to get in a tussle with an older kid over wall ball and taking turns that turned into a huge brawl. MP: I'm so sorry he got so worked up. He didn't get enough sleep last night and has been in an atypical bad mood most of the day. He knows he should be using words, not hitting. *migraine ensues* ARPD: Well, we took each of the boys aside and explained how hitting isn't allowed and then eventually had the two of them talk it out. They seem to be good friends now. YACSPE: Christ, I bet you or your Old Man beat the crap out of that kid at home or something for him to get into a fight like that. We're calling CPS! ARPD's staff is even kind enough to call around the night before your kid goes on a field trip and remind you what time to be there the next morning since the tour bus will depart at a set-in-stone time. You know how certain, *ahem*, Night Owls definitely need these reminders so we can set at least two alarm clocks with the loudest one being placed at least 10 feet away from the bed in order to even get out of bed early. Even the person I typically deal with on the phone for scheduling changes and payments is always cheerful and courteous. They now have an online scheduling/payment system too. How convenient is that? There is something in that Happy juice going on, and I'm telling you it's a wonderful thing. Thank you, ARPD staff for your graciousness and your programs. You make a single, working, full-time parent of three kids' schedules so much easier to plan when they all too typically border on the impossible to coordinate.

Our 13 yo son just finished his 5th year of sailing and he still loves it. It's all day working…read morewith another sailor planning a goal, assessing risk, going for it, trouble shooting, dealing with challenges and failure and working together to get back on track and successfully navigating to your goal. Feeling the breeze in your hair, going fast and getting wet. Last year he sailed to Treasure Island, I couldn't believe it! This year he sailed to SFO. There's always a motor boat nearby. The teens though have to make most decisions on their own and execute their plan. My son said he felt like he conquered something looking at the map and seeing how far he went. He gained a confident understanding of his ability to learn and apply his skills to a challenge that he had previously thought was out of reach.

10 stars if I could add more stars here. My kids have been attending Alameda Community Sailing…read moreCenter's summer camp for years and it's honestly the highlight of their entire summer (and maybe the whole year). They're obsessed in the best way possible. Rain or shine, windy or calm, they wake up excited to hit the water. They started when they were 7 and 10 and 3 summers later they still love love love it! I pick them up and they jump in the car excited to tell me all about their sailing adventures on the water. The instructors are phenomenal and super knowledgeable, kind, encouraging, and safety-focused without being overly rigid. You can tell they genuinely love sailing and want to pass that passion on. My kids come home beaming, sun-kissed, full of stories, and with way more confidence than when they started. And let's talk life skills...this camp teaches independence, teamwork, problem-solving, resilience, and respect for nature, all while they're having an absolute blast on the water. It's not just a camp, it's a community. My kids have made real friendships here and look forward to reuniting with their "sailing crew" every year. We feel lucky to have ACSC in our lives. If you're even thinking about signing up just do it. Your kids will thank you, and you'll be amazed at how much they grow (and how fast they learn to sail!). My son (now 12) and I rented a Feva boat (12 foot boat) this past weekend and he took ME sailing out on that gorgeous bay. This place is a total gem.

This place has come strides! The club was recently renovated and has a very different feel, now…read more The vibe is more inviting, and the crowd is getting younger and more "boaty." It is a private club. If you drop by there may be a member to show you around!

Great location, nice quiet marina facing the estuary, friendly and low-key members. Everything I…read morewould want in a yacht club.

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.

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.

Coach Mike is really awesome. He works with each kid with a lot of detailed care and feedback, and…read moremy child has improved so much with him. But aside from teaching technique and skill, Coach Mike instills confidence, leadership and character in the kids. He coaches the whole person and the it is such a great environment for the kids to learn to aspire to excellence, put in great effort in an environment that promotes best effort and excellence and good character. All around a wonderful program for kids.