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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Select a question to view the answer. Policies and requirements may vary by training group and season.
JOINING & PLACEMENT
New swimmers should request a swim assessment before joining the team. A coach will observe the swimmer’s current strokes, skills, comfort, and readiness, then recommend the most appropriate training group. Current swimmers should contact the coaching team if they need placement guidance.
Bridge Programs help developing swimmers move beyond lessons and prepare for competitive team swimming. Bridge is designed for ages 5–10, while Senior Bridge serves ages 11–14. Both focus on stroke development, starts, turns, training habits, confidence, and teamwork. A coach will recommend the appropriate starting point after an assessment.
Placement is based on the swimmer’s current technical ability, experience, age, comfort, training readiness, and developmental needs. Coaches use the assessment and ongoing observation to recommend the group where the swimmer can be appropriately challenged and supported.
Group advancement is based on readiness rather than age, speed, or attendance alone. Coaches consider technical consistency, training habits, maturity, competitive readiness, and the swimmer’s ability to meet the expectations of the next group. Any recommended move will be communicated with the family.
MEMBERSHIP & COMPETITION
Yes, an active Danvers Y membership is now required of all swimmers, including Bridge and Senior Bridge.
For Junior Dolfins we encourage USA Swimming membership but it isn't required. In fact, I don't think we require USA Swimming membership in any group because they are YMCA registered and thus can participate in YMCA swim meets. It is highly encouraged in all groups (except Bridge and Senior Bridge).
Meet participation expectations vary by training group. Competition is an important part of the Dolfins pathway, and swimmers may participate in YMCA, mock, and USA Swimming meets as appropriate for their group and readiness. Families should review their group expectations and declare attendance through Captyn by the posted deadline.
Meet participation expectations vary by training group. Competition is an important part of the Dolfins pathway, and swimmers may participate in YMCA, mock, and USA Swimming meets as appropriate for their group and readiness. Families should review their group expectations and declare attendance through Captyn by the posted deadline.
Contact the team as soon as possible. Late entries are not guaranteed and may not be accepted after the meet host’s deadline. Families should monitor Captyn announcements and complete meet declarations by the posted date.
Championship eligibility is based on the qualifying standards and requirements established for each meet. Coaches will review swimmer times and readiness, then communicate eligible events and next steps through Captyn. Families can also consult the applicable New England Swimming or meet information.
Fees and payment requirements vary by training group and season. Review the current registration materials or your Captyn account for the latest pricing, payment schedule, and applicable membership costs. Contact Rebecca Willyard if you need help with billing or account information.
SEASON, COMMITMENTS & EQUIPMENT
The swim season runs from September through July, with August off. Scheduled breaks typically include one week between late March and early April, as well as time off around late December and early January. Enrollment options vary throughout the season; contact the team for current availability and details.
Accounts can be paused or cancelled due to injury and/or other exigent or unforseen circumstances and situations.
PRACTICES & COMMUNICATION
Practices are held primarily at the Danvers Community YMCA, with selected groups or sessions also using Choice Fitness Elite in Peabody. Locations may vary by training group, day, and season, so always check the current schedule or event listing before arriving.
The public Team Calendar provides general practice times, locations, meets, holidays, closures, and important dates. Current families should also check Captyn for swimmer-specific schedules, changes, deadlines, and team announcements.
Captyn is the team’s member portal for swimmer-specific schedules, meet declarations and entries, announcements, deadlines, account information, payments, and communication from the coaching team. Families should check it regularly during the season.
Contact Head Coach Tom Phillips for coaching, swimmer development, placement, or practice-related questions. Contact Team Manager Rebecca Willyard for registration, membership, billing, account, scheduling, or other administrative questions.
TEAM POLICIES & SAFETY
Safe Sport refers to the athlete-protection policies and practices designed to maintain a safe, respectful, and abuse-free swimming environment. All athletes, families, coaches, and volunteers are expected to follow the team’s conduct policies and applicable USA Swimming Safe Sport requirements. Visit the Safe Sport page for reporting guidance and current resources.
Swimmers are expected to attend consistently, arrive prepared, listen and respond to coaching, treat teammates and officials respectfully, and approach challenges with a constructive attitude. Families should support timely attendance, review schedules and announcements, complete required registrations, communicate absences or concerns, and assist with team responsibilities when needed.
Families may help with team events, meet operations, hospitality, fundraising, the Parent Pod, or other seasonal needs. Some roles may require training or certification. Watch Captyn and team announcements for current opportunities, or contact Rebecca Willyard to ask how you can help.