The Wilton Family YMCA will hold evaluations for its 2018-2019 Wilton Y Wahoos Swim Team beginning on Tuesday, Aug. 28 through Thursday, Aug. 30. The evaluations are open to children of all ages and will take place at the Wilton Family YMCA branch in the 50-meter outdoor pool.

Times and criteria are as follows (please attend the appropriate date at any point during the posted timeframe):

  • Children ages 8-and-under will be evaluated between 5:15-7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 28
  • Children ages 9-12 will be evaluated between 5:15-7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 29
  • Children ages 13-and-over will be evaluated between 5:15-7:15 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30

The evaluation process will consist of the following:

  1. Filling out the Evaluation and Registration Form. Forms will be available upon arrival at the evaluation
  2. A short, in-water session (approximately 5-10 minutes) in which coaches will evaluate the skill level of each swimmer
  3. Coaches will answer any questions or concerns parents may have regarding the program and/or the evaluation process

The Wilton Y Wahoos swim team has over 40 years of tradition of swimming excellence and is a widely respected program for swimmers of all ages and all levels of ability, from beginners through Olympic competitors. The Wilton Y Wahoos is both a “YMCA” team and a “USA Swimming” team competing in meets organized by CT Swimming, a subset of USA Swimming. Wahoo swimmers come from over 22 towns in southwestern Connecticut and Westchester County; 25 Wahoos have competed at Olympic Trials, including 1988 Olympic Silver Medalist Janel Jorgensen.

The Wilton Y Wahoos swim team considers itself as not only a team but a family of supportive members that encourage and guide each other.

“As a competitive swim program, our goal is to offer a high-quality program that enables swimmers to develop self-confidence, self-respect and an appreciation of their own worth as individuals,” says Randy Erlenbach, the senior director of aquatics. “With over 100 years combined swim team experience the coaching staff endeavors to teach, train, and motivate young people to achieve their ultimate potential in swimming in the belief that this experience will prove valuable to them as they grow as responsible members of their families and citizens of their communities.”

To get involved in competitive swimming, email Alex Baxter, the associate director of competitive aquatics. Anyone who has a conflict with the appropriate date should attend evaluations on Aug. 30; anyone who has a conflict with all evaluation dates should contact Baxter prior to Aug. 30. Baxter is also available via email to answer any questions about the process.