Welcome to our Summer 2023 Season! We are all excited to gear up for this upcoming season with familiar and new faces on deck. Whether you are a longtime Dolphin or a newcomer, everything you need to know about registering for our team this season is listed below. Please read everything carefully as it is all important information.

Important Registration Information 

• All swimmers must be members of the Wallingford Family YMCA. The practice group fee does not include the  membership fee. Membership is ongoing; refer to the Member Guide for information on how to manage your  membership. 
• Prices are for the season (the season runs from Tuesday, April 18th through Yankee Cluster Championships in mid-July).  
• Prices do not include the cost of meets, with the exception of YMCA Dual Meets. 
• The practice group rates may be paid in full at time of registration or may be broken up into four monthly payments. The first payment is due at registration.  
• Read ALL online agreements during registration, please, and contact us with questions.
• Fees are non-refundable and it is a full season commitment. 

Our Registration is a Two-Step Process:

To register your swimmer for the 2023 Spring/Summer season please Click here. If you have issues with registration, please reach out to Meg O'Connor,  [email protected] 

• ** If you are NOT paying in full, only register for 4/18-4/30 for now; we'll schedule the rest! 
• If you have trouble accessing your account, contact  Meg O'Connor for assistance.
• There will be a $15 registration fee for returning Dolphins and a $30 fee for new swimmers.

Participants are required to have an account in TeamUnify. 

• Returning members: Make sure ALL your information is up to date on your account!
• New members: We will email you an invitation to join TU.

Through TeamUnify you'll get access to your own private account that will enable you to easily declare for swim meets, sign-up for jobs, see your children's swim times history, maintain your own contact information, and more.

Registration Dates:

• Returning Swimmers: 3/24
• New Swimmers: 3/27 

Practice Group Selection:

• Returning swimmers should register for the practice group that has been recommended by WFYD coaches. A separate email will be sent to all current swimmers indicating their practice group placement for the next season soon. If you have questions about placement, please email Head Coach, Mike O’Brien ([email protected]), or Associate Head Coach, Carlo Arellano ([email protected]).
• If a swimmer is registered for a practice group that has not been recommended, we reserve the right to change the practice group and to charge applicable fees. If this is the case, we will contact you.

Tryouts For New Swimmers & Evaluations: 

• For any new swimmers looking to join the team, we will be holding tryouts by request, contact our Heach Coach Mike or Associate Head Coach Carlo.  Please note that attending a tryout does not guarantee a spot on the team. Further swim lessons/instruction may be recommended by the coach.
• All new swimmers must attend evaluations prior to registering for a practice group.
• Any returning swimmers who would like to be placed in a group other than what has been recommended by coaches are invited to attend evaluations. 

Practice Group Rates:

** If you are NOT paying in full, you will be charged automatically on the following schedule (4 split payments).

• Payment for the first month is due upon registration.The remainder of the season cost will be split into 3 payments taken on the 15th of each month. (May, June and July).

Discounts:

• The Wallingford Family YMCA proudly offers financial assistance on all programs & services. For more information or to apply for assistance, contact Meg O'Connor,  [email protected]
• WFYD Sibling Discount use code WFYDSIB for 5% off every consecutive child after the eldest.
• WFYD Paid in Full Discount use code WFYDPIF for 5% off.

USA Swimmers:

During the Spring/Summer, USA Swimmers compete in Long Course Meters (LCM)- aka an Olympic sized pool.  If swimmers are new to LCM, they may participate with coach recommendation. 

• USA Swimming is not recommended for all swimmers. If you are interested, please contact Head Coach, Mike O’Brien ([email protected]), or Associate Head Coach, Carlo Arellano ([email protected]). Coaches will discuss whether this is the right path for your swimmer at this time.
• USA Swimming requires a current USA Swimming membership, plus there is an additional fee ($25 per month during the season). If you are a current USA swimmer, remember to register for this as well.
• Returning USA Swimmers registering for our Spring/Summer season please click here.
• **USA Swimming is not mandatory for any swimmer who is recommended to join. You can opt out of your recommendation by simply emailing Coach Mike or Coach Carlo at the email address above.**

Dryland Training:

We are currently working with our YMCA Health & Wellness personnel to continue some additional dryland training for our Junior and Senior squads to further help their muscle development, flexibility and more. Additional information will be announced soon.

Mandatory Volunteer Policy

It is understood by all families that parents may be required to volunteer in various capacities throughout the season.  This season, we are mandating that every parent/family volunteers at team functions, meets, socials, and fundraisers. Roles will be assigned and the proper instruction/training for each role will be given to every volunteer.  Swimming isn't like other sports; it requires parents and families to be participants, not just spectators.  For a swimmer to participate on the team and to be a member in good standing, families are required to assist at various team functions as determined by the Head Coach each season.

The team's success depends on the commitment of its members. Past experience has made it necessary to make this a requirement for our families.  We understand that some families have extenuating circumstances that make volunteering difficult, and we will work with families to help them meet the volunteer requirements. Not all volunteering is done at the meets. Flexibility and understanding are necessary as changes and adjustments can be made to volunteer assignments before, and even during a meet. All job assignments are at the discretion of the Head Coach.

Completion of registration provides indication that you, as a parent/guardian, agree to the above policy.

SafeSport

More information regarding our updated SafeSport policy will be sent to all families soon on a separate email.

Upcoming Team Events

We have many exciting team events coming up this season. Here’s a sneak peak:

• 4/10-4/14 Pre-Season Clinics with Coach Mike, more information to come!
• 4/17 Juniors/ Seniors Season prep meeting with Coach Mike & Coach Carlo- 6:00 pm East Side Observation Deck.
• 4/18 First day of practice!
• 4/29 All Parents Meeting & Team Tie Dye Event- 5:00 pm East Side Gym/Community Room
• 5/5 Swim for a Cause & Taco Party!
• 6/9 WFYD Summer BBQ- Doolittle Park 5:00pm
• 7/25 SantaCon, all groups at the Farms 6:00-8:00pm
• Parent Rep Meetings- 4/26, 5/17, 6/7, 6/28 & 7/19

*Event days and times are subject to change.

Further information about fundraising events, parent socials, and meets will be shared at a later date once everything is finalized.  

We look forward to being a part of the Wallingford Family YMCA Dolphins and are excited to begin another great season! If you have questions at any time, please reach out to us.

**Remember that registration for WFYD is a commitment for the full season (Mid-April 2023 through Yankee Cluster Championships in July)**. While payment can be divided into monthly payments, registered swimmers will be responsible for the full amount even if they withdraw from the program early.  Swimmers who qualify for championships and who extend beyond Yankee Clusters will be charged an additional fee.

Looking forward to a great season!

Coach Mike & Coach Carlo