CPR Instruction in the Lobby

The Darien YMCA is proud to support Post 53 in encouraging CPR training in our community.
Darien EMS – Post 53 will be offering free CPR instruction to YMCA employees, members, and guests at the Darien YMCA. Representatives from Post 53 will be stationed in the YMCA lobby and will be offering free, 10-minute CPR instruction including chest compressions and AED usage to all YMCA visitors.

In just 10 minutes, you can learn the skills needed to save a life. Please take the time to learn this invaluable skill.

CPR instruction will be offered on the following dates:

Saturday, June 20 from 9-11AM

Monday, June 22nd from 9:30-11AM

Saturday June 27 from 9-11AM

Monday, June 29 from 9:30-11:00AM

Saturday, July 11 from 9-11AM

Saturday, July 18 from 9-11AM

Saturday, July 25 from 9-11AM

*This training is informal, and does not provide CPR certification.

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2015 Summer Camp Registration Information

We will be holding three Camp Information Sessions at the YMCA. This is a great opportunity for you to meet the camp directors and hear all about the wonderful and diverse programs we offer.

There will be three dates to attend the information sessions: Thursday, January 15th; Tuesday, February 3rd; and Thursday, March 12th.

Orientation sessions will be offered from:

5:30—6:00 PM for Gymnastics Camp

6:00—6:30 PM for Pre-School Camp

6:30—7:00 PM for School Age Camp

Summer Camp registration dates are as follows:

February 3rd at 10 AM: Returning 2014 campers & siblings who are Y members
February 5th at 10 AM: Darien Y members who are residents of Darien
February 10th at 10 AM: Darien Y members who are not residents of Darien
February 12th at 10 AM: Open registration for all non-members

Summer Camp Session Dates:

Mini Week (preschool only): June 15—June 19
Session 1: June 22—July 3
Session 2: July 6—July 17
Session 3: July 20—July 31
Session 4: August 3—August 14

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Spring 2015 Registration

Spring 2015 Session Information
View the Spring 2015 Program Brochure here.

Session dates: March 16, 2015 – June 14, 2015 (12 weeks)

Spring Registration Dates:

Tuesday, February 24 at 10:00AM

Priority registration for Darien YMCA members who are currently enrolled in the Winter session.

Thursday, February 26 at 10:00AM

Registration for Darien YMCA members who are residents of Darien.

Tuesday, March 3 at 10:00AM

Registration for Darien YMCA members who are not residents of Darien.

Thursday, March 5 at 10:00AM

Non-members can register for any programs.

Please note the following:

The Y will be open on Memorial Day, May 25, 2015, from 5:00AM to 12:00 noon.
The Y will be open on April 3 for Good Friday, from 5:00AM-12:00 noon
The Y will be closed on April 5th for Easter Sunday.
There will be no youth lessons or programs April 13 to April 19 (Darien School Break).

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Coordinators

 

Social Coordinator

Social Coordinators will receive a budget from the PPA, which is based on the number of swimmers per training/practice group (Maia, Nautilus, Poseidon, Juniors, Senior).  As the Social Coordinator, you can use the budget how you want to organize social events for your swimmer’s training group during the year (e.g., poster making, bagel breakfasts, Popsicles, post practice pizza, fun team building activities such as wacky relays or any other creative idea).  It would be helpful if you communicate your plans with the Age Group Social Coordinator (Kathy Finnegan) and the Piranha Office to reserve classrooms, send training group email blasts, and request reimbursements. 

 

 

Special Events Coordinators

The PPA Special Events Coordinators oversee committees that organize a wide variety of fun activities such as the swimmers’ Holiday Party, the Parent Social and the Banquet. All require volunteer support. 

 

 

Fundraising Coordinator

The PPA Fundraising Coordinator manages the Team’s annual fundraiser.  Volunteers are needed to assist in organizing this event which alternates each year between a Swim-a-thon and a smaller fundraiser.  These funds support the purchase of new technology and equipment to enhance our program, training for coaches, coach travel and website enhancement, among other things.

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Meet Volunteers

Meets 

The Piranhas largest volunteer responsibility each year is volunteering at meet.  All families, regardless of your volunteer commitments to the PPA and with the exception of on-deck officials are required to be meet volunteers.  Meets cannot run without these volunteers in turn our children cannot swim without these volunteers.  If your child is swimming in a meet, it is the understanding that you may need to volunteer.  

At home meets, jobs range from Timing Coordinator (coordinator of volunteers for a specific session of a meet) or timer, to working in the concession.  At away meets, according to the size of our entry, we are assigned a proportionate number of jobs (mostly as timers) and will be fined if our volunteer requirement is not met.  Working at a swim meet is a good way to meet other parents and increase your understanding and enjoyment of the swim program. Most parents actually find it more enjoyable to participate than to sit in the bleachers.  Please make your presence known to the Timer Coordinator to help the Team avoid a fine and ensure that no parent ends up working for an entire session. Volunteers for meets may also be contacted by a timing coordinator.  Remember, many hands make light work.
 
Any of the following jobs fulfill the meet volunteer requirements:
  • Timer Coordinator (away)
  • Meet Coordinator (home)
  • Timers (home &away)
  • Runners (home)
  • Posters (home)
  • Marshall (home)
  • Ribbons (home)
  • Program sales (home)

Meet Volunteer Sign up
The procedure for signing up to be a meet volunteer will essentially remain the same this year.  You may sign up to work at a meet either at the October parents meeting, on the Piranha bulletin board in the lobby of the YMCA or in response to an email blast or website notice.  

But new this year…. Based on these sign-ups, if we have not filled all of our spots for any given session of a meet, we will then pull names at random to fill the remaining spots. Please note, the names entered into this lottery will be of those families who have not yet volunteered.  This will eliminate the nagging requests for help and extensive emails back and forth.  If you are unable to work at a particular meet for which you have been chosen, you are responsible for finding your own replacement.  If your name is pulled, you will be notified by email and are expected to confirm within a timely manner.  It is recommended that you sign up in advance for at least two meets per swimmer for the short course season.This new procedure will hopefully ensure that everyone has the opportunity to volunteer and that our spots are easily filled.  If we eventually have the scenario where everyone has volunteered and we have not filled our meet volunteer spots, we will do the lottery from the entire entry pool.During the season, we will publish the names of families who have NOT volunteered at any meets.  Please periodically check this list to ensure that no mistakes have been made.


Championship Season
All parents of swimmers in Championship Meets (8/U Championships, Regionals, Age Groups and Seniors) will be expected to be a meet volunteer.  If your child is swimming in finals, you may need to work during both trials and finals.Additionally, distance meets always require that a swimmer provide his/her own timer.  Timing at these meets will count towards your volunteer requirement.

Meet Volunteer Job Descriptions

 

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Long Course Meet Schedule

 2012 Long Course Meet Schedule

 

Start Date End Date Meet Name Meet Type Location Age Group Sign Up By Entries Results
May 5 May 5 NCY SM Meet USA New Canaan YMCA 8-12 yr old
Piranhas  Only
Sent Results
May 4 May 6 Wilton Invite USA Wilton YMCA 13/Overs only Sent Results
May 11 May 11 OMNI Distance Meet USA Yale
University
Selected 13/Overs Only Sent Entries Results
May 12 May 12

OMNI Invite
Saturday ONLY

USA Yale All Piranhas Sent Entries Results
June 1 June 1 Zeus 9/Under Yard Meet USA Norwalk High School 9/Under Piranhas Only Sent Entries Results
June 2 June 3 Wilton Open Trials/Finals USA Wilton

All Piranhas

Sent Entries Results
June 6 June 6 Piranha Intrasquad Meet Darien YMCA All House &
11/U Piranhas
June 3 Entries Results
June 21 June 21 WRAT 9/Under SCY meet USA Westport YMCA 9/Under Piranhas Only May 25 Entries Results
June 23 June 24 GRYM Invite (13/Overs) USA Greenwich YMCA 13/Over Piranhas Only Sent Entries Results
June 23 June 24 CDOG Invite (12/Unders) USA Cheshire 12/Under Piranhas Only May 9 Entries Results
June 28 June 28 Tri-Meet vs WRAT & Orcas
Warm-up 4:30p / Start 5:00p
Italian Center, Stamford All Posiedon, Nautilus
& Maia swimmers
June 18 Entries Results
July 12 July 15 CT Senior Championships USA Wesleyan University 13/Over Piranha Qualifiers only N/A Entries Results
July 21 July 22 13/Over Regionals USA Wesleyan am 13/Overs
Only

TBA

Entries Results
July 21 July 22 12/U Regionals USA Brookfield
12/Unders

TBA

Entries Results
July 27 July 29 12/Under CT Age Groups Championships USA Cheshire Community Pool 12/Under Qualifiers
(Finals @ Wesleyan)

N/A

Entries Results
July 26 July 29 13/Over CT Age Group
Championships
USA Wesleyan
University
13/Over Qualifiers N/A Entries Results
August 2 August 5 Eastern Zone Speedo
Super Sectionals
USA Buffalo, NY 13/Overs
Qualifiers
N/A Entries Results

 

 

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Short Course Meet Schedule

2012-13 Short Course Meet Schedule

Updated 11/20 – schedule subject to change

Start Date End Date Meet Name Meet Type Location Age Group Sign Up By Entries Results
October 17 October 17 Piranha Instrasquad Meet   Darien YMCA

10/U Piranhas
& all House

Sent Entries Results
October 26

October 27 

Greenwich Invite

Friday & Saturday only  Friday for 13/overs

USA Greenwich YMCA

9/O Piranhas Only
Friday night distance

Sent Entries Results
October 28 October
28
Piranha 8/Under Quadrathon USA Darien YMCA 8/Under Piranhas Only Sent Entries Results
Nov 16 Nov 16 Piranha Distance Meet USA Darien YMCA

Selected 13/O
Only

Sent Entries Results
Nov 16 Nov 18

Wilton Thanksgiving
Invite (11/O trials & Finals)

Event line-up

YMCA Wilton YMCA 9/O Prianhas
Only
Sent Entries Results
Nov 30 Nov 30 Dual v Wilton 8/Unders YMCA Darien YMCA 8/U  Piranhas
& House Only
We will enter all eligible House and Piranha swimmers. Entries Results
Dec 1 Dec 1 BRS Invite USA Branford 9-12 Piranhas Only & 
13/Overs not going to TYR
Sent Entries Results
Dec 2 Dec 2

Dual Meet @ Wilton 9-12 yr olds

Event line-up

YMCA Wilton YMCA 9-12 yr old
Piranhas & House
Sent Entries Results
Dec 7 Dec 7 Dual vs New Canaan
10/Unders 
YMCA Darien YMCA

10/U Piranhas
& 10/U House

Sent Entries Results
Dec 7 Dec 7 Dual @ New Canaan
11/12’s
YMCA New Canaan

11/12 Piranhas
& 11/12 House

Sent Entries Results
Dec 14 Dec 16 TYR Capital Classic
(Must have 2 cuts)
YMCA Cary, NC 13/Overs
Qualifiers Only
N/A Entries Results
Jan 5 Jan 5 15-18 yr old YMCA States YMCA Wilton YMCA 15-18 yr old Piranhas
Only

Sent

Entries Results
Jan 6 Jan 6 13/14 yr old YMCA States YMCA Wilton YMCA 13/14 yr old Piranhas Only

Sent

Entries Results
Jan 5 Jan 6 WAC Invite USA Albertus Magnus
College, New Haven
9-12 Piranhas
Only

Sent

Entries Results
Jan 12 Jan 12 12/Under dual meet v WCYM YMCA Brookfield YMCA 12/U Piranhas
& 12/U House Only

1/4

Entries Results
Jan 18 Jan 20

GRYM Invite

USA Greenwich YMCA 9/O Piranhas
Only

12/20

Entries  Results
Jan 25 Jan 25 Piranha Distance Meet USA Darien YMCA

Selected 13/O
Only

Selected 13/O – coaches will speak with swimmers about entry

Entries Results
Feb 9 Feb 10 12/Under YMCA States YMCA Cheshire Community Pool 12/U Piranhas
Only

TBA

Entries Results
Feb 16 Feb 16

WRAT Invite

USA

Westport YMCA

9/Over Piranhas only

TBA

Entries Results
March 2 March 3 CT Regionals USA Norwalk, New Haven or New Canaan 9/Over
Piranhas

TBA

Entries Results
March 7 March 10 CT Age Group
Championships
USA Wesleyan University 9/Over Qualifiers TBA Entries Results
March 21 March 24 CT Seniors Championships USA Wesleyan University 13/Over Qualifiers TBA Entries Results
TBD TBD 12/Under YMCA New Englands
YMCA TBD 12/Under Qualifiers TBA Entries Results
April 3 April 6 YMCA National
Championship
YMCA Greensboro, NC 13/Overs
Qualifiers
N/A Entries Results

 

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Job Description

 

AWAY MEETS

  • Timer Coordinator – Prior to an away swim meet,  the age group coordinators will provide the timer coordinator with a list of the volunteers for the meet.  Volunteers will have already been notified that they are timing and have been told which shift.  At the meet, the timer coordinator checks in with the volunteer table, collects and distributes stopwatches and receives lane assignments.  The timer coordinator locates our timers, informs them of the location of the timers‘ meeting and makes sure each shift of timers knows who is replacing them and when.  If a timer is a no-show, the timer coordinator needs to find someone to take their spot or replace them themselves.  When the meet is over, it is very important that you email darienpiranhaswim@gmail.com to give an accurate list of your volunteers.
  • Timers – assigned to time a lane at either home or away meets (shifts should not be more than 1 1/2 hours).  Needs to check in with our timing coordinator at the beginning of the meet.  When the Piranhas are assigned a timing assignment, it is for the entire meet.  No leaving until you are relieved or the meet has ended.

HOME MEETS

  • Meet Coordinator – Prior to a home meet, the age group coordinators will provide the meet coordinator with a list of the volunteers for the meet.  Volunteers will have already been notified that they are working and have been told which position and shift.  In addition to coordinating the timers (see timer coordinator above), the meet coordinator also needs to coordinate the runners, posters, Marshall, ribbons and program sales positions.  Finally, they are there to assist the piranha coaching staff with any needs they may have to keep the meet running smoothly.  When the meet is over, it is very important that you email darienpiranhaswim@gmail.com to give an accurate list of your volunteers.
  • Timers – assigned to time a lane at either home or away meets (shifts should not be more than 1 1/2 hours).  Needs to check in with our timing coordinator at the beginning of the meet.  Timing assignments are for the entire meet.  No leaving until you have been relieved or the meet has ended.
  • Runners – collects the timing sheets from timers and delivers to the scorer’s table.
  • Posters – posts the results as events finish periodically throughout the meet.
  • Marshall – one male and one female, periodically checks the bathrooms.
  • Ribbons – gathers ribbons from the swim office.  Applies name and place sticker to the back of the ribbons and sorts by club.
  • Meet Coordinator – at home meets only, coordinates all of the above volunteers.  Works as a liaison with the coaching staff.
  • Program sales – sells programs and signs in volunteers.

Officials for both home and away meets are coordinated separately.  Our Officials lessen our timing commitment!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Training Groups

piranha_train

About Training Groups

The Piranha Swim Team incorporates seven training groups:  House, Maia, Poseidon, Nautilus, Junior I & II, and Senior. The group a swimmer trains with is determined by commitment, age, ability and experience.  Coaches place all swimmers in training groups.   

Specific attendance requirements and suggestions for each training group are included in the training group descriptions below.  A swimmer’s promotion and improvement is contingent on commitment; age and ability are a distant second and third on the list of reasons for promotion.  Although we try to keep swimmers grouped by age, eventually a swimmer’s lack of attendance and dedication to the Team will catch up with him/her in many ways. Swimmers who are committed and attend practice as outlined for their group will find themselves rewarded in their advancement through the training groups, their development as a swimmer and improvement in their times.   

Maia

The Greek goddess of growth.  The Maia level consists of swimmers who are between the ages of 7-9 and have some competitive swimming experience.  Swimmers must be able to legally complete at least 25 yards of freestyle and backstroke and butterfly or breaststroke.  Maia swimmers will focus on stroke technique and learn the basics of competitive swimming, team spirit and fun.  The Coaching Staff recommends that Maia swimmers attend at least 2 practices per week. 

Nautilus I & II

Greek word meaning sailor.  Nautilus I & II swimmers have competitive swimming experience and are usually between the ages of 9 and 11, depending on ability.  This group will focus on stroke technique, swimming all four strokes and simple sets.  The goal of the Nautilus group is to have fun while learning about competitive swimming.  The Coaching Staff recommends that these swimmers attend 3 workouts per week.  Nautilus II swimmers are 9 years old who have opted to join the Team for the winter season only.  These swimmers are offered practice 4 days per week.  Nautilus I are full year swimmers and are offered practice 6 days per week.

Poseidon

The Greek god of the sea.  The Poseidon group is swimmers usually between the ages of 11-14. They are experienced swimmers who will focus on stroke technique, interval training, discipline, competition and fun.  Poseidon swimmers be ooffered dry lands once per week through the Y.  The Coaching Staff recommends that these swimmers attend 4 workouts per week to receive optimal training and have the opportunity to develop the necessary strength and skills for continued development. 

To earn promotion into the Junior training group, a Poseidon swimmer must demonstrate he/she is committed to the Piranhas year round and has shown the coaching staff he/she can handle Junior level training and the commitment that comes with this level of training.

Junior I & II Training Groups
The Junior training groups are reserved for our 13/Overs (12/Unders aging up to 13 before the end of season may be eligible for one of the Junior groups.)   To earn promotion into one of the Junior training group, a Poseidon swimmer must demonstrate he/she is committed to the Piranhas year round and has shown the coaching staff he/she can handle Junior level training and the commitment that comes with this level of training.
Junior II
This group will focus on building an aerobic training base, continued work on technique and building strength. The Coaching Staff recommends that these swimmers attend 5 workouts per week to receive optimal training. This group will also have dry lands at least twice per week. The goal of the Junior II group is to demonstrate the necessary dedication and skills development to become a Junior I swimmer.

Junior I
This group of athletes are experienced swimmers who are focusing on attaining the necessary skills to become a Senior Swimmer. Conditioning will become more of a focus for these swimmers and stroke technique will continue to play a major role in this training group. Dry-land sessions will be available along with morning workouts. The Coaching Staff recommends these swimmers attend 5 workouts per week to receive optimal training and have the opportunity to develop the necessary strength and skills for continued development.

To earn promotion into the Senior group, a Junior swimmer must demonstrate he/she is a dedicated member of the Piranhas, can handle the dedication and commitment necessary for Senior level training and have multiple CT Senior cuts.   As a prerequisite for joining the Senior group a swimmer must be able to swim 30 x 100 Free @ 1:20, 15 x 200 IM @ 3:00, have a Freestyle threshold of 1:15 or better and have swum following events either short course or long course; 1650/1500 or 1000/800, 500/400 Freestyle, 400 IM and all 200’s of stroke and IM.

Senior

The Senior training group is reserved for year round swimmers who have dedicate themselves to the sport of swimming and the Piranhas. A swimmer in this group must demonstrate he/she is socially, mentally and physically mature enough to handle demands of an elite swimming program. This group is the highest level of swimming offered by the Darien YMCA.   These swimmers receive the most practice time, and resources the Piranhas have to offer and they work directly with the Head Coach. Senior swimmers are 13 years of age and older.  Criteria to be promoted to the Senior group and detailed expectations to remain in the Senior groups can be viewed by clicking on the link.

 


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Officials

The Piranhas have a great tradition of having many USA Swimming Officials affiliated with the Team. It is a requirement that all USA Swimming Meets have a sufficient number of USA registered Officials on deck. Without Officials, the meet cannot be considered a USA Swimming sanctioned meet.  Having Officials affiliated with the Team is a huge benefit.  

 

Becoming an Official entails participating in a class and taking an on-line open book test.  Once you have done both, you must work at least four meets as a trainee after the fourth meet you are a Stroke and Turn Official.  
 

 

 

 

 

  

  

 
 
Darien Officials

Name Type Email

David Oulighan

Referee

oulighan@gmail.com

Gigi Kearney

Referee

chiquitapt@optonline.net

Erica Merrill

Starter

ammetm@optonline.net

Tom Ryan

Starter

 tkkeryan@yahoo.com

Pat Begos

Starter

jbegos@optonline.net

Charlie Hom

Stroke & Turn

cleehom@aol.com

Nancy Grune

Stroke & Turn

thegrunes@aol.com

Craig Lovegrove Stroke & Turn

trl121@hotmail.com

   

 

   

 


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General Information

piranha_gen_info

General Information

The Piranha Swim Team is the Darien YMCA’s year-round competitive swimming program. The goal of the Piranhas is to create an environment for developing not only the finest of athletes but also the finest of citizens. We strive to teach life lessons and skills through the sport of swimming and to create lifelong swimmers. We offer swimmers 7 years of age and older the opportunity to train and reach the highest level of swimming available in the US. As a member of the Piranhas, your family will join a first class organization. As an age group swimmer (7-12 years), focus is on stroke technique, simple sets and having fun. As swimmers get older, the level of commitment increases; longer and more challenging workouts, early mornings and more meets. Invaluable life lessons are learned and friendships are made throughout the journey. The Piranhas compete in both USA Swimming and the CT YMCA Swimming League. The Team is under the leadership of Head Coach Henk Jansen.

 

The Piranhas compete in two courses over the year.  The short course (SC) season begins in September and ends in March.  SC season meets are held in 25 yard pools.  The long course (LC) season begins in April and ends in July.  LC meets are held in 50 meter pools.  All 10/over swimmers are expected to participate fully in both seasons.  All swimmers must participate in at least two swim CT USA Swim meets during the SC season and at least one CT USA Swim meet during the LC season to qualify for a USA CT Championship meet (Piranha Intrasquad, Y dual meets and Y Invitational Meets do not count towards this requirement).  Some high level meets may require more.  Also, swimmers’ parents must time in at least two meets over the course of the season in order for thier swimmer to be eligible for a Championship meet.  Please check the schedule carefully to make sure you are attending the necessary number of meets.

 

The Piranhas compete as members of USA and YMCA Swimming.  USA Swimming is recognized as the highest level of swimming available to athletes at the amateur level, providing regional, National and international levels of competition.  YMCA swimming primarily provides the Piranhas with their dual meet competition and some invitational type meets.  Both USA and YMCA swimming meets are offered throughout the season, culminating with championship meets.  All swimmers are expected to swim in the respective Championship/ end-of-the-season meet.

 

Registration is open to all returning swimmers in good standing (all swimmers must be current on all fees).  New members are admitted to the Team after participation and evaluation in the Fall stroke clinic.  Eligibility is based on both ability and space in age group.  Piranha Swim Team members must maintain current full Darien YMCA memberships.

 

The Piranha Swim Team is under the leadership of Head Coach, Henk Jansen.

 


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Mission & Vision Statement

piranha_facilities

 

Mission Statement

 

Along with the YMCA core values of respect, caring, honesty and responsibility, we the Piranha Swim Club are committed to excellence and dedicated to developing the finest of athletes as well as the finest of citizens through the sport of swimming and our swimming program.

 

Vision Statement

 

We the Piranha swim club will achieve through:

 

  • Attending Practice Faithfully
  • Hard Work and Dedication
  • Adding Members Who Share  in Our  Vision
  • Hiring Competent Coaches
  • Creating a Fun Swimming Environment Conducive to the Development of Children


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