based on 2318 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.
It's disappointing for a non profit, with a mission statement is out of reach for most households. I asked how much a senior would be and it"s $60.00. I can't justify the cost. It's a lovely gym but it's too bad more people could afford it.
I really only use the facility for the gym upstairs. The place is always clean, the equipment is in great condition, and the staff keeps the rules tight.
The people there are friendly and helpful. The classes are great.
Cleanliness / better equipment
_ Schedule more meets and meet opportunities, and meets with multiple days, throughout short and long course. The Westbrook Marlins, for example, offered 30 percent more meet days during Short Course prior to Regionals/Age Group championships for its swimmers. Swimmers should have the opportunity to swim competitively twice a month.
_ Choose meets that offer variety. For example, this 2Phone number removed short course season, two meets were scheduled over a weekend in November that offered identical events; there was little reason to swim both days, but other meets that weekend offered variety.
_ Seek feedback from swimmers about the quality of the meets and their preference for certain meets (the quality of pool, order of events, the experience for swimmers on deck, etc, the competition). SurveyMonkeys like this one could be sent to families after meets or before every season to rate the meets.
_ Be more organized and communicative about the swim schedule. For example, several other teams in the state have already provided the meet schedule for long course 2026 and our families can't schedule around other commitments because we still don't know when meets will be offered.
_ Offer opportunities, perhaps optional, for swimmers to practice in a long-course pool during long course. Several teams rent out long-course pools for at least one day a week during this period.
_ Do a better job of retaining coaches and swimmers. An alarming number of both have left in the past year or two. More below:
My family is currently swimming in the 12/U group and this rating does not reflect our current experience (the rating would be higher if this was just a 12/U team). Coaches Sue Lecza and Jen Amasino (and a shout-out to Coach Kayla) provide excellent mentoring and coaching and support to swimmers, with practices that engage and train swimmers and also allow for friendly banter among swimmers who have developed strong bonds over the years.
However, I would be unlikely to recommend the team to a new family at this time because of the significant turnover among both coaches and swimmers, particularly once the swimmers turn 13 and move to the senior group. Although my family has no direct experience with senior practices and meets, our family has heard negative feedback from multiple swimmers in that practice group about their experiences. It appears that close to 20 of the team's most talented and competitive swimmers have left the team in the past two years, once making that transition to that senior group. Thus, I couldn't recommend that a new family join the team, even at the 12/U level, because that family would likely switch teams once the swimmers turn 13.
I enjoy meeting people and the classes are great the instructors are very motivating and they make working out enjoyable .
Friendly staff, good programs, excellent environment
The classes that I have taken are all good. The places clean and everyone is very friendly.
My only complaint is the lack of parking!
The staff is very kind, they have a variety of programs and it is a nice facility.
We love the sports at YMCA! We highly recommend them as they are amazing!
Friendly environment; very comfortable surroundings.
My daughter has been on the team for a couple of years and loves going several days a week, learns a lot from the coaches, and has fun.
The coaches are encouraging and passionate. They push and encourage my daughter without over pushing her. The team feels like a family.
The gymnastics program was great for us, but lately my daughter has become less interested. She is in the super nova 2 and decided she didn't want to finish the session we enrolled in. She said "all we do is jump on a trampoline." I understand the focus on the team, but even the recreational children still want to be pushed to learn and master basic skills.
Love Miss Kayla the swimming instructor for my daughter she is amazing and so great at what she does!! :)
The front desk staff, Cindy, Aaron, and the incomparable Claire are fabulous. They make me feel known and welcomed.
The pool is wonderful. The locker room facilities are excellent. The prior cleaning lady was amazing. I'm sorry to have seen her leave. Perhaps you could try to keep the really good staff.
The staff is generally very responsive. This was a long, cold winter. Everyone had many layers of clothing. I had asked Emily if perhaps some hooks could be put up for our coats. In no time we had hooks on the wall in the locker room.
I have met some wonderful people here! Very nice morning social 1st Friday of each month!
Staff is wonderful and helpful! Beautiful facility is always kept clean and spotless, and the countless friends I’ve met here!
The teachers from stage 1 preschool are not equipped to teach this class. They barely engage with the students and spend a lot of time chatting with each other. If a child shows any resistance to the class they are ignored and not encouraged. There seems to be no plan for each class and the kids are left to sit on the side of the pool 95% of the time.
Unfortunately I think these girls are not outgoing or confident enough to work with 3/4 year olds and someone who is more enthusiastic and engaged would be far better suited.
I have had many other swim teachers for my kids who I have really liked and thought were excellent. This time around the class doesn’t seem worth the time or money.
Lots of programs for the Kids. Swimming is a life skill and the Y provides Swimming classes for everyone.
community service
Communication. Challenge more kids to give their very best in the different groups
List dates of each swim session on website
Clean and warm
The swim team experience at Stratford YMCA catapulted our sons confidence in his swim abilities. What was once a mere hobby to be in pool has blossomed into a love of swimming with a natural awareness of technique. He's now poised this year for competitive swim and he's excited for it.
Amanda is the best swimming teacher ever with kids and getting them out of their shells. My daughter hated to put her head under the water, but with Amanda’s patience and kindness she did it, and I am so happy. Thanks Amanda
Friendly staff, friendly patrons, very clean, inspiring quote of the day on the white board as you walk in, great classes and music, beautiful pool,
All the instructors are great and have done really well with my ADHD 6-year old.
I love the water aerobics and deep water classes. What I don't like is the limited parking in the morning.
Excellent exercise equipment, a great staff, and very convenient and efficient.