Team Competition

piranha_team_comp

About Team Competition

Swim Meets

Each season will offer USA and YMCA meets.  These meets predominately take place on the weekends at different sites throughout Fairfield County and the Greater New Haven area.  A schedule will be available at the beginning of each season and meet information for each meet detailing events to be swum; start times, location, directions, etc will be available on-line and on the bulletin board located in the lobby of the YMCA. 
 

The coaching staff decides in which meets the Team will compete. All swimmers are encouraged to attend all scheduled meets, unless told otherwise by the coaches.  There will be sign-up sheets posted on the bulletin board for all meets.  It is the swimmer’s and parent’s responsibility to sign up for a meet.  If a swimmer is signed up for a meet and fails to attend, he/she will be responsible for the meet fees.  Meet fees only apply to USA and YMCA Invitational meets.  Generally, there are no meet fees for dual meets.  At the end of each season, USA and YMCA Swimming offer championship meets for all swimmers of varying levels of ability. There are qualification standards for certain championship meets.

 

Transportation to swim meets is a responsibility of each swimmer.  The Team does not provide transportation to any YMCA dual meets or USA Swimming meets. 
 

YMCA Swimming

The YMCA of the USA is the governing body of YMCA swimming.  YMCA swimming offers the Piranhas its dual meet competitions (Piranhas vs. one other team) and invitational meets.  As a YMCA team, Piranhas compete against other YMCA teams in the CT YMCA Swimming League.  The short course season usually consists of 2 or 3 YMCA meets and there are usually no Y dual meets during the LC season.  In March there is a New England YMCA Championship meet for 12/unders offered at the end of the season.  A swimmer must swim in at least two YMCA meets and meet a qualification standard to be eligible for the New England YMCA Championship meet.  The age of the swimmer for Y meets is determined by the swimmer’s age on the date of the meet. 

 

At the culmination of the winter season, Piranhas who meet the following qualifications will travel to the YMCA National meet (Y-Nationals).  In addition to achieving qualifying time standards, a swimmer must be at least 13 years of age and have swum in the equivalent of four YMCA meets during the season.  There are a sufficient number of Y meets on our schedule to meet this requirement. Swimmers are responsible for participating in these Y meets.  I will not add meets to the schedule for kids who neglected to participate in the required number of meets.  Also, a swimmer must be in financial good standing, have shown that he/she is a dedicated “Senior” member of the Team and mature enough to handle an overnight trip.  The coaching staff reserves the right to select which swimmers attend the Y-Nationals meet based on the standards listed above.  We do not attend the Summer Y National meet.  Swimmers travel as a Team to YMCA Nationals and other National-level out of region meets.
 

USA Swim Meets

USA Swimming is the governing body for Swimming in the United States. USA Swimming provides competition for swimmers of all ages, levels and abilities at the regional, Senior and international levels. Meets are offered throughout the winter and summer seasons, and both seasons culminate with Championship meets. In order to swim in meets, a swimmer must be a registered member of USA Swimming.  Connecticut participates as a LSC (Local Swimming Committee) of USA Swimming.  Our Club code with USA Swimming is PSDY.

 

USA Swimming Meets are conveniently held on weekends and meet locations are usually in the Greater New Haven, Middlesex and Fairfield County areas, as well as other areas of Connecticut.  Swimmers are grouped by age for competitions, and the age group a swimmer competes in is determined by their age the day the meet begins.  Usual age groupings are as follows: 8/Under, 9/10, 11/12, 13/14, 15/Over, Senior. 

 

At the end of the winter and summer seasons, Connecticut hosts a variety of USA Swimming year end championship meets including Regionals, Age Groups, Seniors and 8/Under Championships (winter only).  In order to compete, a swimmer must have swum in at least two USA sanctioned meets during that season.  In order to swim in Age Groups and/or Seniors a swimmer must also meet a qualifying time standard.  CT Seniors is a meet for 13/overs only.   

 

In the summer the Piranhas may travel to the Speedo Sectional Championship meet and/or the USA Junior or senior National Championship Meet dependant upon qualifiers.  These are USA Swimming sanctioned meets hosted by USA Swimming.  In order to swim one or both of these meets, a swimmer must be 13 years of age or older and meet a qualifying time standard. Also, a swimmer must have demonstrated that he/she is a dedicated “Senior” member of the team, mature enough to handle an overnight trip and in good financial standing with the Darien YMCA and Team.  The coaching staff reserves the right to select which swimmers attend these meets based on the standards listed above.  Swimmers will travel as a Team and room with other Team members at these meets.
 

Championship Meets

As stated earlier, each season culminates in a Championship meet.  As members of the Piranhas we ask that all swimmers make time for their respective Championship meet. We post the meet schedule very early in the season to facilitate your commitment.  Aside from the fact that we are a competitive swim team and all swimmers must compete, we view all meets, especially a Championship Swim Meet, as a Team event and the Team needs all swimmers that qualify to swim.  We see this no different than the Team needing it players to participate in the championship soccer game or championship lacrosse game.  We understand that scheduling is difficult, but please make time for these meets as we need the swimmers to participate and the parents to volunteer. Please remember that in order for a swimmer to be eligible for any of these meets, his/her parents must have timed at two meets, minimum.   Please see Parent Commitment page for more details about this policy.

 

Swim Meet Attendance

The Piranhas is a competitive swim team. Because we are a competitive Swim Team, all members of the Darien YCMA Piranha Swim Team will be expected to attend meets faithfully. The major difference between Piranhas and swim lessons is that Piranhas do compete in swim meets. All Team members will need to attend at least two CT USA in-season meets for the winter season (meets between September and the end of February) and one CT USA in-season meet for the summer season (April-July) to be eligible for any CT USA Championship meet, Piranha Intrasquad meets and Y meets do not count towards these requirements, but time achieved at those meet do count. Also, any swimmer who does not meet these criteria will risk losing his/her spot on the Team the following Fall.

Swimming in meets is a part of the developmental process for swimmers. Learning how to race, how to split races properly, how to ‘win’ and how to ‘lose’, is as much a part of swimming as learning proper stroke technique. A swimmer is missing a huge part of the sport if they do not compete. Please make time for swim meets.

 

 


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Coaching Staff

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Henk Jansen

Head Coach 

Henk, an ASCA Level IV Coach, starts his 9th season with the Piranha Swim Team. Before joining the Piranhas,he was an Assistant Coach with the OMNI Swim Club of New Haven from 199-2004, Head Coach at East Haven from 1997-98, and a Volunteer Assistant at Southern Connecticut State University for the 1997-98 season while working full-time as a Computer Analyst for SNET (now AT&T) in New Haven.   Henk graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Corporate Communications and a minor in Computer Science. Over the course of his 15 year coaching career Henk has sent numerous swimmers to compete at the collegiate level and has developed multiple USA Senior and Junior National qualifiers and in 2008 coached Piranha Peter Geissinger to the 2008 USA Olympic Team Trials in Omaha, Nebraska. In 2006, for his accomplishments and contributions to the sport of swimming, Henk was inducted into the East Haven High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame and in 2007 he was honored by his alma mater, Southern Connecticut with the Bruce Hutchinson Alumni Award.   From 2006-2010 Henk severed as Connecticut Swimming’s Senior Chair and he is currently a member of the CT Swim’s Technical Planning Committee. Henk resides in Shelton with his wife, Michele, daughters Olivia and Avery and his son Zach.

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Jason Cochran

Head Assistant Coach 

Jason, a graduate of West Virginia University with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and an ASCA level III coach, starts his 5th year of coaching with the Piranhas. He was promoted to Head Assistant Coach of the Piranhas in 2008 and currently an assistant coach with the Darien High School Girl’s Swim Team. Before joining the Piranhas, he was an Assistant Coach for the Whippany Waves of Whippany, NJ for three years working with all levels of swimmers from developmental and novice to senior athletes. Over his 5 years with the Piranhas, Jason has coached every training group on the Team. In 2008 his 8/Unders won the New England Championship and in 2010 his 9/10’s won the same title. Also in 2009 his 9/10 200 Medley and 400 Freestyle relay Teams broke CT State records. He works primarily with the Junior and Poseidon groups, but often coaches the Nautilus swimmers as well. He currently resides in Stamford.

 

Liz Blau

Assistant Coach 

Liz Blau, is starting her 3rd year of coaching with the Piranhas and her 2nd as a full-time coach. Liz brings a wealth of coaching experience and knowledge to the team. Before joining the Piranhas, Liz was the Men’s and Women’s Head Swim Coach at Rutgers University, an Assistant Coach at the Red Bank YMCA and an Assistant Coach with Scarlet Aquatic Club of New Jersey. She will working primarily with the House, Nautilus and Poseidon groups. Liz resides in Stamford with her husband Fritz and their three children, Ashley, Billy and Haley.

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Jim Matthews

Assistant Coach (YMCA Aquatics Director) 

Jim Matthews, the Darien YMCA Aquatics and Waterfront Director is the longest tenured Piranha Coach on staff. Before joining the Darien YMCA in 2000, Jim was an Aquatics Director at the Wilton YMCA. He has taught hundres if not thousands of kids how to swim in the Fairfield County Area. He brings decades of coaching and teaching experience to the Piranhas. His duties with the Piranhas include working primarily with the Maia group. He is a native of Rainbow Lakes, NJ, and currently resides in Stamford with wife Susanna.

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Amy D’Andrea

Assistant Coach (YMCA Assistant Aquatics Director) 

Amy, starting her 8th year of coaching with the Piranhas, is the Darien YMCA Aquatics Programming Director. Before joining the Darien YMCA, Amy coached and taught swim lessons at the Merrimack Valley YMCA in Andover, Mass. She was a competitive swimmer, diver and synchronized swimmer and is a graduate of Springfield College with a degree in Psychology. With the Piranhas, she works primarily with the Maia group. She resides in Stamford with her husband Dan and their children Jessie, Mia, Samantha and Daniel.

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Jessica Johnston

Assistant Coach

Jessica starts her 5th year of coaching with the Piranhas. She was a full-time Piranha Assistant from 2010-11 before she moved back to Syracuse for a year. She is a graduate of Lemoyne College in upstate New York with a degree in Psychology. While at Lemoyne she was a four year member of the Lemoyne Varsity Swim Team and captain her senior year. Since coming to the Piranhas she has coached every group on the Team and has assisted on many of the Senior travel meet trips. She works primarily with the Nautilus and Poseidon groups. She is a native of Syracuse, New York and currently resides in Norwalk.

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Timea Libertiny

Assistant Coach 

Timea, a teacher for the Montessori School in Greenwich, is starting her 7th year of coaching with the Piranhas. She is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University in upstate New York where she studied History and was a collegiate swimmer for four years. Before joining the Piranhas, Timea was Assistant Coach with the Iona Gaels Swim Team in New Rochelle, New York for a year as well as a coached at the New Canaan Country Club for two summers. Over her tenure, Timea has coached every group on the Team except the Seniors. She currently works primarily with the House group. Timea resides in Norwalk.

 

Chris McCabe 

Assistant Coach 

Chris, a former Piranha parent, will be starting her 3rd year as Piranha coach. She was an instructor with Joan LaClair Swim School for over 10 years. Chris was a varsity swimmer while at St. Lawrence University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Math and Economics. She lives in Darien with her two children James and Caroline, who at one time swam for the Piranhas and her husband Jim. Chris will works primarily with House.

 

Michelle Krizni 

Assistant Coach 

Michelle, a long time Pre-School teacher at the Darien Y, starts her 3rd year with the Piranhas. She graduated in 2005 from Roger Williams College with a degree in Art History. Before joining the Piranhas, Michelle has taught every level from swim lessons to swim team the last 9 years. With the Piranhas, she will work primarily with the Nautilus and Poseidon groups. Michelle is an accomplished artist and plays clarinet in the New Canaan Community Band. She lives in Danbury with her husband Anthony and their Siberian Husky, Sasha.

 

 


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Contacts

 

Gym Center

203-655-4584

Gymnastics Director’s Office

203-655-7753

Gymnastics Director

John Schwartz

jschwartz@darien-ymca.org

Travel Team Head Coach

Vladimir Kovalenko

vladimirandvalentina@hotmail.com

Travel Team Coach

Valentina Kovalenko

vladimirandvalentina@hotmail.com

Travel Team Coach

Yury Vasilyev

scushor51@mail.ru

Travel Team Coach

Antonina Surmenko

tonina344@gmail.com

House Team Coach

Erin Hunter

ehunter1011@gmail.com

House Team Coach

Nicole Kapitan

nlkapitan@aol.com

House Team Coach

Anatolie Vartosu

anatolvartosu@gmail.com


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Tuition

The annual fee is broken into 12 equal monthly payments for your convenience and will be deducted monthly from either your credit card or debit card. We are no longer accepting a “pay-as-you-go” method of payment.

 

Travel Team Tuition

3 days a week / level 3 & 4:

$340 per month

4 days a week / level 5:

$360 per month

5 days a week / levels 6-10:

$385 per month

6 days a week/ levels 9-10 (optional):

$410 per month

  

House Team Tuition

2 days a week / levels 4-6:

$225 per month

New: Level 6 Only – A 3rd day option now available

$275/ month

 

 

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Gymnastics Fees

The Darien YMCA Gymnastics Parents association imposes a Travel Team and House Team Registration Fee due in September and January.  This fee covers Coach’s Travel and Coach’s Training and will be automatically charged to your credit card or debit card twice per year.

 

Travel Team

September Fee

$225

January Fee

$225

  

House Team

September Fee

$175

January Fee

$175

 
 
 
Meet Payments
In the beginning of each season we will provide a schedule of meets the Darien House Team and Travel Team is planning on attending. We encourage you to make every attempt to attend the majority of the competitions. Meet Fees will be listed next to each corresponding Meet.  We require payment of meet fees to be paid up front. A meet sign-up form will be provided at our annual parent association meeting in September.
 
Additional Qualifying Meets will be offered beginning in February of each year. These meets include State, Regional and National competitions. Please use the below Payment Coupon, when paying for these additional meets.
 
 
 
Payment Options
All Fees, including, Tuition, Registration, Membership, and Apparel will be automatically applied to either your credit card or debit card. You may choose which option suits you the best when filling out our Authorization Form. This form will be handed out at our annual parent association meeting in September. 
 
 
Refund Policy
Meet Refunds will only be given if an emergency or injury occurs. Please note, we cannot refund any funds after meet deadlines.
 

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Travel Meet


Darien YMCA Gymnastics

2013-2014 Travel Team Competition

Date

Meet

Meet Location

Levels

Meet Type

Directions

Meet Website

Results

November 30-December 1  All Stars Windsor  3-6  USAG

 

December 7, 8  Glastonbury Invite  Glastonbury  3-10  USAG
December 28,29  Deary’s Danielson, CT  6-10  USAG

 

January 5

Home Meet

Darien, CT  3-10

 YMCA

January 11, 12

 FUNomenal Flippers Invitational

Glastonbury, CT

 3-10

 YMCA

January 17 – 19  DGS Northeast Invitational Hartford, CT  4-10 USAG

  

 

 

February 1, 2  Team Challenge

Danbury, CT

3-10   USAG

 

February 8, 9  USAG States  TBA 4 – 5  USAG

 

February

14 -16

 NO MEET

February

22, 23

 Wilton  Wilton YMCA  3-10  YMCA

 

March 1, 2

 Ocean State Classic

Meet Closed Out

 Lincoln, RI

 5-10

 YMCA
March 16, 17  YMCA States  Southington, CT  4-10  YMCA
March 2 YMCA Leagues  Trumbull, CT 3-4 YMCA
March 8  NO MEET
March 14 – 16  Starlight Invitational

 MIT

Cambridge, MA

3-10  USAG

March 22, 23

 USAG States

 TBA  7-10

 USAG

 

   
March 29, 30  USAG States  TBA  3/6  USAG

 

April 5, 6  YMCA States

Southington

High School

3-10  YMCA

 

April 11 – 13 USAG Regionals Springfield, MA 9/10  USAG

 

April 12

Meriden

“Last Chance” Meet

Meriden, CT 3-10  YMCA

 

April 19, 20 NO MEET

 

April 26, 27

L8 Regionals

L7 Super Team Regionals

TBA 7/8  USAG

 

Mary 2 – 4 Easterns Tampa, FL  9  USAG

 

May 10, 11 YMCA Regionals Glastonbury High School  3-10

 

July 2 – 5 YMCA Nationals Tampa, FL 3 – 10

 

 

 
 *State, Regional, and National Competitions require up to two qualifying scores. QUALIFYING STANDARDS

  • Schedule is subject to change. Please check our website for the latest information.

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Travel Practice


Darien YMCA Gymnastics

2012-2013 Travel Team Practice Schedule

Level

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Pre-Level 4   3:45 – 6:15
3:45 – 6:15     8:30 – 11:00
Level 4 3:45 – 6:15 3:45 -6:15   3:45 -6:15  
Level 4/5   3:45 – 6:15 3:45 – 6:15 3:45 – 6:15 8:30 -11:30
Level 5/6 3:45 -6:15   3:45 – 6:15 3:45 – 6:15 3:45 – 6:15  
Level 6-A 3:45 – 6:15 3:45 – 6:15 3:45 – 6:15 3:45 – 6:15  
Level 6-B 3:45 – 6:15 3:45 – 6:15   3:45 – 6:15 8:30 – 11:00
Level 7 6:15 – 9:15 6:15 – 9:15 6:15 – 9:15 6:15 – 9:15 10:30 – 1:30
Level 8 6:15 – 9:15   6:15 – 9:15 6:15 – 9:15 6:15 – 9:15 10:30 – 1:30
Level 8/9 6:15 – 9:15 6:15 – 9:15 6:15 – 9:15   6:15 – 9:15

10:30 – 1:30

Level 9 6:15 – 9:15   6:15 – 9:15 6:15 – 9:15  6:15 – 9:15  

10:30 -1:30 

 
 
 

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House Meet


Darien YMCA Gymnastics

2013-2014 House Team Competition

Date

Competition/Location

 Level

Meet Type

Meet Website

Directions

 October 27

Sunday

 Optionals Clinic/Darien 12pm – 3pm

 6+

 YMCA    

 November 17

Sunday

 Harvest Invite/Trumbull

 6+

 YMCA    

 December 15

Sunday

 Trumbull

 6+

 YMCA    

 January 5

Sunday

 Home Meet

 3-10

 YMCA    

 January 11 – 12

Sat. or Sunday

 FUNomenal Flippers Invitational/Glastonbury

 3-10

 YMCA    

 January 18

Saturday

 Trumbull

 3-10

 YMCA

   

 January 26

Sunday

 Southington

 3-10

 YMCA

  

 

 February 1

Saturday

 Meriden  3-10

 YMCA

   

 February 22

Saturday

 Wilton

 3-10

 YMCA    

 March 2

Sunday

 YMCA Leagues/Trumbull

 3-10

 YMCA    

 April 5-6

Sat. or Sunday

 YMCA States/Southington

 3-10

 YMCA    

 April 12

Saturday

 Meriden “Last Chance” Qualifier for Regionals

 3-10

 YMCA    
 May 10, 11  YMCA Regionals/Glastonbury

 3-10

 YMCA    
 July 1 – 5  YMCA Nationals

 3-10

 YMCA    
 
*State, Regional, and National Competitions require up to two qualifying scores. QUALIFYING STANDARDS 
 
 

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House Practice

2011-2012

Darien YMCA Gymnastics

House Team Schedule

Level

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Level 4


4:15 – 6:15

 

4:15 – 6:15

Level 4/5

6:15 – 8:45


6:15 – 8:15

Level 5

6:15 – 8:45

 


6:15 – 8:15

Level 5/6

6:15 -8:45

 

6:15 – 8:15

Level 6-Prep Opt

6:15 – 8:15

6:15 – 8:45

2:45 – 5:15

 

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GPA


About Gymnastics Parent Association (GPA)

  1. The purpose of the Darien YMCA Gymnastics Parent Association (GPA) is to assist the staff and coaches of the gymnastics program in areas where volunteer assistance would be most beneficial to enhance the overall program.  The GPA is not a policy making body of the Darien YMCA. It may from time to time make recommendations and suggestions to the Gymnastics Director and Executive Director, which are felt to be in the best interest of the team.
  2. The GPA may sponsor and participate in philanthropic events and projects that will be developed by committees of the GPA.
  3. The GPA is a non-profit, non-sectarian, non-partisan and non-political organization
  4. The GPA shall act as a support group to the Darien YMCA Gymnastics program.
 
We encourage all team parents to get involved and support the gymnastics team. Throughout the year we are involved in various fundraising activities to defray the cost of travel expenses, meet fees, and apparel cost.  
 

 

In addition the GPA organizes team parties, publicity and a host of other activities.
 

GPA Officers

 

President:

 Louise Schmidt

Vice President:

 Brenda McDermott

Treasurer:

 

 
 

Travel Team Level Moms

 

Level 3

 

Level 4

 

Level 5

 

Level 6

 

Level 7

 

Level 8

 

Level 9/10

 

 
 

House Team Level Moms

 

Level 3

 

Level 4

 

Level 5

 

PrepOpt

 

 
 

Publicity Chairs:

 Amy Bevilacqua, Stephanie Fairlegh

Special Events Chair:

 Debbie Pizzani

Fundraising Chair:

 Elizabeth Rahbar

 
 

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Policies


House Team Policies

  • Absences must be reported in advance to Erin Hunter at Ehunter1011@gmail.com 
  • If your child is going home with anyone other than her parent or guardian, a note from the parent must be presented to the coaches. If they must leave early from practice, a note must also be presented to their coaches.
  • Recurring absences/vacations taken prior to a meet/prolonged sickness will determine whether or not your child participates in a competition. If your child is absent from practice the week before a competition, there is a possibility she may be scratched from that weekend’s meet. 
  • Level movement is at the discretion of the Head coach. All questions pertaining to level requirements and skills must be addressed to Erin Hunter. 
  • House team participants are expected to compete in the majority of meets presented on the meet schedule and attend the practices outlined on the workout schedule. Every effort will be made to help HS gymnasts juggle both schedules. New gymnast mid season team tryouts involving possible team participation and any other changes to our policies are at the discretion of the gymnastics director. 
  • Make up days are at the discretion of the coaching staff only
  • Please respect the decisions of the coaching staff – They are experienced professionals
  • Parental support of your gymnast is essential. Only words of encouragement and positive remarks will help reinforce your child’s self-esteem and confidence. Pressuring your child to perform better or comparing your child’s progress to other athletes; will NOT be tolerated. Each child progresses at her own rate and this must be recognized and respected by parents.
  • As in any competitive sport, nutrition is a major contributor to a gymnast’s performance. Eating healthy will affect greatly an athlete’s mental and physical well being, not only in the competitive arena but in the arena of life. As a parent, please help us instill these valuable principles.  For tips on healthy food choices, please consult a certified nutritionist.  You can also refer to the following websites:
  • Hughston Health Alert
  • Healthline
  • Communication is essential in promoting a healthy gym environment. We encourage you to address any concerns you may have as soon as possible. Please feel free to set up a meeting with one of our coaches before or after practice. 

Travel Team Policies

  • Absences must be reported in advance to Vladimir Kovalenko.  Please email Vladimir at vladimirandValentina@hotmail.com
  • Or contact the gym after 3:45 pm at 203-655-4584.
  • If your child is going home with anyone other than her parent or guardian, a note from the parent must be presented to the coaches. If they must leave early from practice, a note must also be presented to their coaches.
  • Recurring absences/vacations taken prior to a meet/prolonged sickness will determine whether or not your child participates in a competition. If your child is absent from practice the week before a competition, she will not attend that weekend’s meet. Please do not make vacation plans until the competition schedule has been announced. 
  • Travel team participants are expected to compete in all mandatory meets presented on the meet schedule and attend the practices outlined on the workout schedule. Every effort will be made to help HS gymnasts juggle both schedules. A one on one meeting with the director is required. New gymnast mid season team tryouts involving possible team participation and any other changes to our policies are at the discretion of the gymnastics director. 
  • Please respect the decisions of the coaching staff – They are experienced professionals
  • Parental support of your gymnast is essential. Only words of encouragement and positive remarks will help reinforce your child’s self-esteem and confidence. Pressuring your child to perform better or comparing your child’s progress to other athletes; will NOT be tolerated. Each child progresses at her own rate and this must be recognized and respected by parents.
  • Understand that the specific mission of the Darien Y is to develop happy, healthy, and confident young people.  One way in which we can help meet this demanding goal, is to place the gymnasts at the level where they can be happy, safe and confident. Mobility through the levels can only be achieved when a high level of proficiency has been demonstrated at the current level, and the potential for a high level of proficiency in the next level is apparent.  This means that a gymnast is never declared having moved to the next level until ALL of the requirements for that level have been achieved. 
  • Mobility through the levels takes place at the full discretion of the Team staff and Head Coach. As stated by USA Gymnastics, the following guidelines and requirements must be met for level advancement. 
 

Level 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

  • In order to advance to the next level, an athlete must have completed at least one full competitive season with a high level of proficiency (e.g. season AA average at or above 36.00 or a score of 36.00 or higher in a Championship Competition).  Additionally, the athlete must be able to master all of the skills necessary for the current level. To see a list of skills for each level, please consult with one of the coaches.
  • As in any competitive sport, nutrition is a major contributor to a gymnast’s performance. Eating healthy will affect greatly an athlete’s mental and physical well being, not only in the competitive arena but in the arena of life. As a parent, please help us instill these valuable principles.  For tips on healthy food choices, please consult a certified nutritionist.  You can also refer to the following websites:
  • Hughston Health Alert
  • Healthline
  • Communication is essential in promoting a healthy gym environment. We encourage you to address any concerns you may have as soon as possible. Please feel free to set up a meeting with one of our coaches before or after practice. 
  • Make up days are at the discretion of the coaching staff only


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House Swimming

darien_y_piranha-program_rast1 

The Piranha House Program is designed for children 7-13 years old (6 year olds aging up to 7 by 12/31 can participate) who may not be ready for Team or may not be ready to commit to a full year with the Piranhas. House Swimmers must have advanced basic swimming skills, be able to complete at least 25 yards of all four competitive strokes (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle) without assistance and swim 3 of the 4 strokes legally. The goal of the group will be to learn drills and proper technique for all four competitive strokes, and the emphasis during practice will be on fun and learning. There will be one House group each session that contains two training groups. Four sessions of House will be offered throughout the year, Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. Schedules are listed below.

Swimmers enrolled in the Fall House will have priority for the Winter and the Winter House will have priority for the Spring and so on. Returning House swimmers should register on their respective registration date or run the risk of losing their spot. Once a session’s respective registration is complete, House will be open to new swimmers.There is limited space in all our House programs.

In a given year, a swimmer who participated in the Spring and/or Summer House session does not have to be evaluated for THAT YEAR’S Fall or Winter House session. All other new swimmers who wish to be evaluated for Fall or Winter House swimming must participate in the Fall Evaluation Stroke Clinic and new swimmers who wish to be evaluated for Spring or Summer House must participate in the Spring Evaluation Stroke Clinic (please note there is no guarantee that the Spring Clinic will be run every year). Notification of placement will be via email no later than one day after completion of the clinic for the Fall and Spring. Registration for all House session can be done at the front desk.

House swimmers who are full Darien YMCA members will be allowed to compete in YMCA dual meets. ‘YMCA dual meets’ are held throughout the year at Darien and other YMCAs in the area. A sign up sheet for meets will be located on the Piranha bulletin board in the lobby of the YMCA and all YMCA dual meets are also listed on the Piranha homepage. There are usually no meets for 13 year olds and there will be no meets scheduled during the Summer House session.

  

Fees:

Members $430

Non-members $510

(please note there is a different fee for Summer House due to the shorter session)

Fall House Schedule – 2013
September 10th – November 21st
Spring/Summer House swimmers returning for Fall House should register on their respective registration date. After the last day of priority registration, Fall House will open to new swimmers. New swimmers who wish to be evaluated for Fall or Winter House must participate in the Fall Evaluation Stroke Clinic.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 
House xxx 4:45 – 5:30p xxx 4:45 – 5:30p xxx 9:00-9:45a

(No Class: 10/19)

Winter House Schedule – 2013/2014  
December 3rd – February 22nd
Fall House swimmers returning for Winter House should register on their respective registration date. Registration and pricing information will be available in the Winter Programs Brochure. New swimmers should contact Jason Cochran for an evaluation, 203.655.822 x1353.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 
House xxx 4:45 – 5:30p xxx 4:45 – 5:30p xxx 9:00-9:45a

(No classes: 12/24, 12/31 )

Spring House Schedule – 2014 
April 7th – June 14th
Returning swimmers from the Winter and/or Fall House session will have priority for Spring. New swimmers who wish to be evaluated for Spring or Summer House must participate in the Spring Evaluation Stroke Clinic. Returning swimmers from Fall and Winter should register according to the YMCA’s Spring registration schedule. After April 7th, space for House will be reserved for swimmers from the Stroke Clinic. 

 

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 
House xxx 4:45 – 5:50 xxx 4:45 – 5:50 xxx 9:45 – 10:30

(No class: 5/27)

Summer House Schedule – 2013
June 18th – Aug 3rd
There will be no meets scheduled during the Summer House session. Summer House swimmers who wish continue with the House program in the Fall or Winter will not be required to participate in the 2013 Fall Stroke Clinic. If a swimmer wishes to be evaluated for Team, he/she will need to be evaluated through the 2013 Fall Stroke Clinic. All Winter-only Piranhas who swam on the Team in the winter of 2011-12 and participate in the Summer House program are guaranteed placement on the Team for the 2012-13 season.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 
House xxx 4:45 – 5:30p xxx 4:45 – 5:30p xxx 9:00-9:45a

(No class: )

 

Summer Fees:

Members $250

Non-members $330

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