based on 1198 ratings.
What our members think of us!
The following comments were submitted by our customers when asked to provide feedback on our service. In the interest of transparency, we present these comments as provided except that personally identifiable information has been hidden unless the reviewer has requested their full name be included with the review. No unfavorable comments have been removed.
I absolutely love the Branford YMCA. The pool, gym and locker room is kept clean. All the staff are friendly and helpful. Only criticism is the problem with no hot water in the shower. It started about 3 months ago. I know an attempt was made to fix it but quite often the water is lukewarm warm at best. Otherwise it is my favorite place to be
The instructors are amazing! They take the time to watch every student closely and make recommendations on what wil help them improve.
The variety of classes and friendliness if staff and members.
My child always feel proud and supported after swim team practices and meets! We appreciate the positive approach to coaching and flexibility with practice schedules. Coach Marta encourages swimmers to work towards their own goals, and allows kids to be kids - which is most important when kids participate in sports.
Convenience
I would like for instructors to correct a child if they are doing something wrong and work on each child’s weaknesses. I understand lessons aren’t long enough and there more than two children in a lesson but if a child is struggling with a certain swimming technique than that child should work on that as others are working on their weaknesses.
Instructors should start lessons on time, and engage students throughout the course of the lesson. Right now, there are 4 students in the lesson, and 2 instructors - several students are absent, which would be a great opportunity for more 1:1 time for the children, but instead the 3rd instructor who is usually in the water with them is hanging out on the lifeguard stand, chatting with the instructors in the water and distracting them. This caused one student, who was hanging onto the wall, to slip under momentarily. Even with the 1:2 ratio, lessons did not begin until 7 minutes late, and each swimmer has gone back and forth across the width of the pool with an instructor a total of 5 times. The instructors largely don’t know the children’s names, nor abilities. This is mostly a waste of time and money because the instructors seem to approach it as a social hour rather than an actual job. The very least they could do is start on time. The only instructor who shows any enthusiasm, engagement, or actual teaching skills is the small, older lady. She is phenomenal.
Instructors that are better with toddlers and keeping the same one. You cant keep changing teachers on young children, they won’t learn that way. My son went backwards, now I cant get him in the water. I am looking elsewhere for classes.
clean nice people. good location easy to too,
Caring coaches
The Woodruff Y is more than a facility; it is more of a community.
This is the best learn-to-swim facility in CT! The staff are friendly, the lesson are well done, the pool is warm, always. There are many class times offered each week and they are affordable. Our children learned how to swim and continue advancing through the levels and as a result they are becoming strong and confident swimmers. Thanks to the Woodruff YMCA
The coaches and the feeling of all inclusivity.
The student ratio is great! My girls have fun while learning in the weekly class. Hope it was longer.
The coach parent communication is awful. I’m constantly confused and when I reach out I have to hound the coach or cc his boss for a response.
I don’t think the coach for the older kids is great. He’s often not there, he’s late to practice, he leaves early, his workouts aren’t clear (and aren’t clarified when my swimmer asks for help multiple times).
The Fairfield facility is older and outdated compared to Darien and new canaan
All three are best coaches to learn from
Exceptional programs, facility and incredible community -- supportive of all
Sam, Daniella, Julia, and Shane are amazing and we love that we're almost at the end of our 3rd year. Wonderfully thoughtful and amazing coaches - we love being Flyfins!
Welcoming atmosphere.
Robyn is a wonderful trainer.
Susie has been a wonderful teacher to our daughter and she has made vast improvements from class.
Coach Nacho is amazing along with the other coaches and life guards. They are always willing to help. As a result I am able to swim, float as well as jump and dive. The members are also helpful and cheer you on. What an amazing group of people
The friendship of the staff as well as the great classes offered. The areas are always very clean and one sees them being taken care by those in charge.
Staff very respectful and polite.
Safe environment for family and children.
Sarah is fantastic without the kids.
The swimming lessons are amazing you not only learn to swim but all other techniques as well which can be life saving skills to know
and the staff are very respectful and professional at all times
The teachers are very professional people.They have a lot of experience, patience, and dedication with children.This is my second child to have the opportunity to belong to this team. I really recommend swim team to everybody.
Name removed
Coach Sam and Daniella were very supportive of my new to the team daughter. She loves the camaraderie with her peers on the team.
We only use the gym and locker rooms most of the times at mid-day. Both are well maintained and the atmosphere is friendly. The equipment is generally available when it is needed and the staff is helpful.
Other than the ladies’ locker room being WAY too cold and the hot shower running out of hot water, I love the Y.