Danvers YMCA Dolfins Programs
How to Join the Dolfin Program!
Swimmers interested in joining the program are recommended through the Swimm with Timm Lesson Program, Danvers YMCA swim lessons, or by completing a Swim Assessment.
New swimmers to the program usually begin in our Bridge or Senior Bridge Programs and can progress up through the levels of the program as the go from being kids that swim into full-fledged swimmers.
IT is important that swimmers start in the correct level in order to make this a positive experience for everyone. Which is why it is so important to have a swim assessment before signing up for the program. To schedule a swim assessment contact:
mgr.dyd@danversymcadolfins.com
Danvers YMCA Dolfins: Practice Schedules
Schedules are subject to change based on season and pool availability.
Bridge: Monday or Tuesday AND Wednesday or Thursday; 5:00 - 5:45 p.m.
Senior Bridge: Monday & Wednesday. 7:15 - 8:15 p.m.; Saturday, 7:00 - 8:00 a.m. @ Choice Fitness Elite - Peabody; Sunday, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Junior Dolfins: Monday or Tuesday AND Wednesday or Thursday; 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.; Saturday, 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. @ Choice Fitness Peabody; Sunday. 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Dryland - At home once a week.
Bottlenose Blue: Monday - Thursday 5:00 - 6:00 pm. Saturday. 6:00 - 7:00 a.m. Sunday. 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Dryland - Bottlenose Blue - At home once a week.
Bottlenose Orange: Monday - Thursday. 6:00 - 7:15 pm. Saturday. 6:00 - 7:00 a.m. Sunday. 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Dryland - Bottlenose Orange - Monday, Wednesday.
Spinner Blue: Monday - Thursday. 6:00 - 7:15 p.m. Saturday. 6:00 - 7:00 a.m. Sunday. 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Dryland - Spinner Blue - Tuesday, Thursday.
Spinner Orange: Monday - Thursday. 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Saturday. 6:00 - 7:00 a.m. Sunday. 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Dryland - Spinner Orange - TBD.
Orcas: Monday - Thursday. Saturday. Sunday.
Dryland - TBD
Danvers YMCA Dolfins: Program Options
Bridge: Swims (1-3x week) [45 min]
The Bridge program is meant to be a stepping stone for swimmers into the Junior Dolfin group. It is the perfect next step for swimmers who are ready to go beyond lessons and begin building the foundation for competitive swimming. Made for ages 5-10, Bridge focuses on refining freestyle and backstroke technique while introducing advanced skills such as flip turns, starts, and the beginnings of breaststroke and butterfly.
Senior Bridge: Swims (1-3x week) [60 min]
The Senior Bridge program is designed for athletes who want to be on the competitive team but need to master fundamental swimming skills first. This program is designed for athletes aged 11-14. Senior Bridge focuses on refining freestyle and backstroke technique while introducing advanced skills such as flip turns, starts, and the beginnings of breaststroke and butterfly.
Junior Dolfins: Swims (2-3x week) [60 min]
The Junior Dolfin group is the introductory competitive swimming group. It is designed for swimmers aged 6-10. Practices will focus on lane etiquette; continued development of all 4 strokes, including underwater technique, starts, turns, transitions, and finishes; body balance; core strength; and kicking.
Bottlenose Dolfins: Swims (2-4x week) [60-75 min]; plus dryland exercise
The Bottlenose Dolfins (Blue and Orange) are the beginning Age Group swimmers on the team. Bottlenose Dolfins can swim each of the 4 competitive swim strokes, and practice will focus on developing the 4 strokes and beginning to understand racing skills and strategy. They will be introduced to interval training and will learn to read the pace clock. Swimmers in these groups are typically aged 8-10, with some 11-12-year-olds.
Spinner Dolfins: Swims (3-5x week) [75-90 min]; plus dryland exercise
Spinner Dolfins are the advanced-age-group swimmers on DYD. Swimmers in the Spinner Dolfin groups (Blue and Orange) are athletes who can complete at least 100 yards/meters of all four strokes, the 200 IM, and the 400/500 Freestyle. Athletes in these groups will begin swim training. Designed for swimmers aged 11-14.
Orcas: Swims (4-5x week) [90 min]; plus dryland exercise
Orcas are the senior group within the Dolfin team structure. They will experience high-intensity training and are preparing for state, regional, and national competitions. These swimmers are most often aged 14-18.
Dolfin Elite: TBA
Danvers YMCA Dolfins: Swim Group Expectations & Requirements
Bridge: Swims (1-3x week) [45 min]
Expectation: Must be an active member of the Danvers Community YMCA. Attend team mock meets. YMCA swim meets are also an option. Required Equipment: team-issued shirt, team-issued suit, team-issued swim caps, goggles.
Senior Bridge: Swims (1-3x week) [60 min]
Expectation: Must be an active member of the Danvers Community YMCA. Attend team mock meets. YMCA swim meets are also an option. Required Equipment: team-issued shirt, team-issued suit, team-issued swim caps, goggles.
Junior Dolfins: Swims (2-3x week) [60 min]
Expectation: Must be an active member of the Danvers Community YMCA. USA Swimming registration is encouraged. Participate in YMCA and USA Swimming swim meets. Required Equipment: team-issued shirt, team-issued suit, team-issued swim caps, goggles.
Bottlenose Dolfins: Swims (2-4x week) [60-75 min]; plus dryland exercise
Expectation: Must be an active member of USA Swimming and an active member of the Danvers Community YMCA. Participate in 1 - 2 scheduled meets per month. Required Equipment: team-issued shirt, team-issued suit, team-issued swim caps, goggles, mesh equipment bag, fins, snorkel, yoga mat, and resistance band.
Spinner Dolfins: Swims (3-5x week) [75-90 min]; plus dryland exercise
Expectation: Must be an active member of USA Swimming and the Danvers Community YMCA. Participate in 75% of scheduled meets. Required Equipment: team-issued shirt, team-issued suit, team-issued swim caps, goggles, mesh equipment bag, fins, snorkel, yoga mat, resistance band, hand paddles, and pull buoy.
Orcas: Swims (4-5x week)[90 min]; plus dryland exercise
Expectation: Must be an active member of USA Swimming and the Danvers Community YMCA. Participate in 75% of scheduled meets. Required Equipment: team-issued shirt, team-issued suit, team-issued swim caps, goggles, mesh equipment bag, fins, snorkel, yoga mat, resistance band, hand paddles, and pull buoy.
Additional Costs
Registration fee $175
With this fee you will receive 2 team logo caps, 1 team-issued t-shirt, 1 team-issued swim suit, as well as going toward paying for Mock meets, insurance costs, administrative costs, and other expenses.
YMCA Membership fee $21 per month
The YMCA is now requiring all swim team members to maintain an active Youth Membership from the Danvers Community YMCA