Sisters Heather, , and Jolisa Davis, 8, of Oakland keep warm after taking swim lessons with the Oakland Undercurrent.

The Oakland Undercurrent swim team started with five members in 1997.

"I worked at Fremont High School pool and there were some really motivated students," said Oakland Undercurrent co-founder and head coach Ben Sheppard. who was 19-years-old at the time. "We were able to use a lane during lap swim (public swim) at Temescal Pool (for team training)."

The team bucked stereotypes.

"Traditionally, swim teams are expensive and white. These kids were neither (rich nor white)," Sheppard said.

Today, the Oakland Undercurrent has more than 100 members with more than 20 ethnicities represented, according to Sheppard.

"We are the most diverse team in the world, bar none." Sheppard said. "We're about embracing the Oakland community and promoting the sport and expanding the base.

"What makes us special is that we are really addressing the whole child. We encourage them to participate in other activities, we encourage them in school, with their diet, to give back to the community and to be leaders in their family."

The Undercurrent, a United States Swimming team with swimmers from 7-years-old to 19, will be busy this summer.

"This summer, we're collaborating with the City of Oakland and offering some unique programs," Sheppard said.

Free morning programs will be offered at deFremery Park in Oakland, starting on June 20. Wednesday nights, starting on June 29, clinics will be offered with Olympian guests.

"We have Olympians from Croatia and Lithuania, and Olympic coaches," Sheppard said.

On July 2, the Undercurrent is hosting a relay meet at Laney College for all the Oakland Parks and Recreation teams. It will be free.

On Tuesday afternoon, some team members worked out at Laney.

"I like that (the team) has team spirit and they encourage you to do your best all the time," said Nkosazana Nkululeko, 12. "I learned better techniques and the different strokes. When I started, I knew only freestyle."

"There's good attention for all the students. It's not like some teams, where the coach just gives the workout," said Armando Nikzad, who will be a senior next year at Berkeley.

Salwa Mahgoub, who has three children on the team, is also impressed with the coaching.

"Ben is a very good coach. He helps everyone," she said. "All the coaches have a good attitude with the children."

Sheppard said that the team is funded 60 to 70-percent through fundraising.

"We have a goal: 100 local businessmen giving $1,000 a year for 10 years. They will be investing in their community," Sheppard said.

Sheppard, who has coached the Undercurrent since 1997, knows a little something about investing in a community.

For more information on the Oakland Undercurrent, go to their Web site (oaklandswimming.org) or call 510-594-4309.