Swim

For more than 160 years, the YMCA has nurtured potential and united communities across America to create lasting, meaningful change. Everything the Y does is in service of building a better us. One of the most effective ways to accomplish this is to teach youth, teens, and adults to swim, so they can stay safe around water and learn the skills they need to make swimming a lifelong pursuit for staying healthy.

Our Y swim instructors are nationally certified. Their training includes CPR, AED, First Aid and Oxygen Administration. Swim lessons provide important life skills that could save a life and will benefit students for a lifetime.

All ages - from infants to seniors - can learn to swim at the Y. What age group does the student fall into? What swim stage is the student ready for? The specific days and times of our classes can be found when you register on-line or by reviewing our Program Guide.

Have questions? Call the Y or speak with anyone in our Aquatics Department or on our Member Services Team. For a full listing of our swim lesson class options, days and times – please visit our Home Page and review our Program Guide.

Swim Lesson Finder

Answer the questions below to find the swim lesson that fits.

Free swim lesson assessments are available to determine the appropriate swim lesson stage for each student. Discuss what level is appropriate with anyone in our Aquatics Department, or register for the Stage that is most appropriate for the swimmer’s abilities and our trained staff will place students in the correct Stage during the first lesson.

Building Aquatic Leaders

American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Course

Earn your certification in CPR/AED, First Aid, and Lifeguarding through the Blended Learning American Red Cross Lifeguard Course. Through lectures, online presentations, and in-person skill sessions, you will be ready to start your career as an aquatic leader.

REQUIREMENTS: You must be:

At least 15 years of age.
Access to a computer or tablet & the internet.
Successfully pass the prerequisites: a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest. and a timed event within 50 seconds.

FALL 2024 CLASS SCHEDULE: You must attend all in-person class sessions to earn your certification. There are no exceptions.
October 6 9:30m-4pm, October 20 9:30am-4pm, November 3 9:30am-4pm

Inquire today by contacting Aquatics Director & Course Instructor Alex Hunter at ahunter@cccymca.org and to set up your prerequisite evaluation time.

Swimmers in Training

Build Your Skills

Take your swim skills to the next level with Introduction to Competitive Swim or Stingrays Swim Club.

Introduction to Competitive Swim is for young swimmers ages 5-9 eager to learn the fundamentals of competitive swimming. This program focuses on improving stroke techniques, building endurance, and swim practice basics in a fun and supportive environment.

WHEN: Saturdays
TIME9:45-10:25am
FEE Facility Member $103/Program Participant $206

Stingrays Swim Club is for dedicated swimmers ages 10-14 looking to enhance their competitive edge. The program offers advanced training sessions, focusing on speed, strength, and technique refinement.

WHEN: Saturdays
TIME: 9-9:40am
FEE: Facility Member $103/Program Participant $206

Please contact Alexandra Hunter ahunter@cccymca.org, Aquatics Director, with any questions.

Dive in Stand Out

JOIN THE SOUNDVIEW FAMILY YMCA STINGRAYS

Become part of the mission to create a safe, healthy and positive environment for swimmers to learn the benefits and joys of hard work, self-discipline, team spirit and friendships made through competitive swimming.

All new swimmers must attend an evaluation. New swimmers should bring their suit, goggles and a towel to the evaluation.

Short Course 2024-2025 season will begin on Monday September 9 2024 through Saturday February 22, 2025.

EVALUATIONS: Tuesday, September 3, and Thursday September 5

TIME: 5:30-6pm.

WHERE: Soundview Family YMCA Competition Pool 628 E Main St, Branford, CT 06405

QUESTIONS? Contact Wesley Crozier Director of Competitive Swimming/Head Swim Coach at wcrozier@cccymca.org.

Lifeguard Certification

AGES:15 and up

Here’s your chance to build your résumé and show the world what you can do. Prepare for college and a career by developing leadership and communication skills, be a hero by learning lifesaving skills such as first aid, CPR, and Oxygen Administration, and have fun while earning money at a job you’ll love! Contact the Y for more information.

Swim for Camaraderie and Competition

Join the Soundview YMCA Stingrays Swim Team

The Branford Stingrays were organized in 1972 and began their collaboration with the Y in 2010. Offering a stimulating, enjoyable program that stresses stroke technique, starts, turns, and basic training, we measure success not in terms of one or two extremely successful swimmers, but in the measurable improvement of all our swimmers. Our members become the best swimmers they can be, by improving their physical skills, developing self-confidence and self-discipline, and an appreciation for the way that they and their teammates can help each other attain their goals through teamwork and mutual support. Stingray swimmers compete at all levels from local meets to Olympic Trials. We practice from September to March (short course season) and April to July (long course season).

Team Web Site

MEMBERSHIP and FEE

Membership with the Soundview Family YMCA is required and must last the entire duration of the swim season. Termination of membership is not automatic and must be requested in writing to our member service policy by the participant.

REGISTRATION:Click to the Soundview YMCA Stingrays Swim Team Registration Form

CONTACT: Wesley Crozier, Head Swim Team Coach. Wwww.teamunify.com

Private and Semi-Private Swim Lessons

AGES: 3 and up

One-on-one swim lessons with a trained swim instructor. Each 30-minute session is scheduled between the instructor and the participant. Register on-line or by calling the Y.Private lessons are offered for YMCA members only.

Lap Swimming Etiquette

LAP SWIMMING ETIQUETTE

Swimmers are encouraged to contribute to an atmosphere of cooperation and courtesy.
Always enter from the shallow end.
A maximum of five swimmers are permitted in each lane during lap swimming.
Please swim with others of similar speed. Lifeguards will move swimmers to the appropriate lane when necessary.
Always let swimmers in your lane know when you are entering the water.
Always circle swim counter-clockwise when three or more swimmers are in a lane.
Fins and/or kickboards are not permitted during circle swim.
Allow faster swimmers to pass. Passing always occurs on the left of the swimmer or at the end walls.
Do not stand at the ends of the pool for an extended period of time.
Teens age fourteen and older may participate in lap swimming.

6/29/2016

Y Aquatic Safety Guidelines

Our lifeguards are here to ensure your safety and have the authority to restrict any behavior deemed unsafe. Y members and guests must follow all safety guidelines or may be asked to leave the pool area.

State health codes require all persons to shower with warm water and soap before entering the swimming pool.
Wear appropriate swimming attire in the water at all times. T-shirts, shorts, cut-offs and street clothing are not appropriate.
A parent/guardian, at least eighteen (18) years of age, who is a Y member, must accompany any child five (5) years of age and younger in the water at all times. Parents/guardians, of children seven (7) years of age and younger who have passed the swim test must remain on the pool deck. All swimmers eight (8) years of age and older who have passed the swim test may use the pool on their own.
Any non-swimmer must have an adult accompany them in the water and be within arm’s reach.
Children who are not potty trained should wear two layers of accident protection, a waterproof swim diaper and a bathing suit, at all times while in the swimming pool. For privacy and sanitary reasons, please refrain from changing children on the swimming pool deck.
If you have a communicable or infectious disease or an open sore, please do not enter the swimming pool area.
Spitting and nose blowing in the pool, pool areas and locker rooms are not permitted.
For everyone’s safety, the swimming pool will be closed during lightning and thunderstorms and will not reopen until thirty (30) minutes after the last occurrence of either.
Walk, do not run, to avoid injury.
Pushing, dunking and rough play are not permitted.
For your safety, diving is only permitted in water at least nine (9) feet in depth. Do not perform back-flips, back-dives, twists or any other type of flip that may cause injury to yourself or others.
Extended breath holding activities may cause blackouts and are strictly prohibited.
United States Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Devices can be used in the shallow end of the pool. They should be properly sized and in good condition. Persons wearing the device must be accompanied by adult in the water within arm’s reach.
Y equipment is for Y programs only. Starting and diving blocks are not for public use. Inflatable pool toys and flotation devices are not permitted.
Glass containers, food, and gum are not allowed on the swimming pool deck.
Please do not sit, play, hang or lie on the lane lines.
Before entering the deep end of the swimming pool, all swimmers must complete the swim test including an unassisted 25-yard non-stop swim and a thirty (30) second tread which will be recorded in our log. The lifeguard may administer a swim test at any time.
Stop, look and listen when you hear the lifeguard’s whistle blow.
Have fun, be safe and keep your language and behavior family friendly.

2/2023