Registration Information


How to Join

New swimmers must register for the Spring (not guarnteed to be held every year, check the Spring Clinic page for details) or Fall Stroke Clinic to be evaluated for placement on the Team. The Spring Clinic is for the Summer season (April-July) sign-up and Fall is for the Winter Season (Sept-March) or full-year (Sept-July) sign-up. Through these clinics all swimmers will be evaluated and some swimmers will be invited to join Piranhas, some will be invited to join House and some will be referred to YMCA lessons or put on a wait list. Please see “Stroke Clinic” under the Program” tab for more information.

Competitive Swimming Year

The Piranha Swim Team operates on an annual fee basis for all 10/overs: Fall registration will include training and meets for both the Short Course (SC) season and the Long Course (LC) season. Swimmers 9/under (as of the last Friday in August) will have the option of signing up as seasonal or as full year swimmers. The SC season (meets in 25 yd. pools) begins in early September and ends early March. For qualifying swimmers, the SC championship season may continue into April. After a short break, the LC season (meets in 50 m pools) begins in early April and runs to mid July. All returning Piranhas will receive a Registration Packet by email in EARLY AUGUST. You cannot register without this packet and there is no YMCA online registration for Piranhas. Returning swimmers will have until the last Friday in August to complete their registration and be guaranteed a place on the Team.

At time of Registration:

  • Full Child Membership to the Darien YMCA
  • Training Fee
    • All Swimmers will have the opportunity to pay in three installments
    • Information on YMCA Financial Assistance is available on request.
  • Piranha Parents Association (PPA) Dues
  • USA Swimming Registration (once per year)
  • Meet Fees (plus a one-time equipment kit fee for Junior/Senior swimmers)

 

Through the course of the season:

  • Each swimmer is required to buy a Team suit and cap. All Piranhas MUST have a Team Speedo bathing suit, Team t-shirts and bathing caps if worn.  In addition, swimmers must also have:
    • 13/Overs – Team warm-up and Team backpack
    • 11/12’s – gray Piranha sweatshirt, Team backpack
    • 9/10’sgray Piranha sweatshirt, Team backpack
    • 8/unders – aforementioned  t-shirts and yellow bathing cap (if worn)
  • Fundraising: Each Piranha family is also required to participate in the Team’s fundraisers. Every other year, the Team runs a Swim Challenge, a large effort swim-a-thon for which all Piranhas are obliged to collect pledges at minimum levels. The minimum required level of financial participation will be determined by the PAC during its annual budgeting process. On alternate years, the PAC will determine if a smaller fundraiser is required to meet their goals in support of the Team. The fundraiser participation is a requirement of Team membership. Any swimmer in arrears of fundraising requirements will not be permitted to practice until account is settled.
  • Senior swimmer travel is arranged for selected meets. For these meets a fee will be identified in advance. This fee will include applicable hotel, food and transportation costs and must be paid in full before a swimmer will be allowed to leave for the meet. In some instances, additional expenses may be incurred during the course of a meet and will be billed later. Swimmers with any delinquent Team fees will not be eligible to travel.

Insurance Statement

The Darien YMCA does not provide accident insurance for injuries sustained during YMCA activities. Participants in programs use the facility at their own risk. Members are encouraged to have personal medical insurance coverage.


Cancellations Go to www.piranhaswimming.org for up-to-date weather-related cancellation information. Cancellations due to inclement weather are also broadcast over local radio stations. Participants may also or call the YMCA at 655-8228 ext 1329 to determine if practice is being held.