Breakers Swim Team

Breakers swim teams

youth swim team

The Ridgewood Y Breakers embraces the Y’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility by promoting a healthy, active lifestyle for young swimmers and teaching the benefits of a team sport. 

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adult swim team

Whether you’re a former competitive swimmer itching to get back on the blocks or an adult looking to sharpen your strokes, build endurance, and stay fit, Breakers Masters has a lane for you!

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EXCELLENCE, DEDICATION, TEAMWORK, AND FUN!

The Ridgewood Y Breakers embraces the Y’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility by promoting a healthy, active lifestyle for young swimmers and teaching the benefits of a team sport. 

Our trained coaching staff focuses on athletic development and aims to improve swimmers’ competitive skills and endurance through progression and an appropriate level of competition. It is designed to motivate and challenge swimmers to reach individual goals while still enjoying the benefits of a team sport.

The Breakers program goals:

  • Introduce and develop the mental and physical aspects of athletic competition

  • Advance and maximize swimming abilities

  • Cultivate self-confidence

  • Teach respect for others

  • Foster team spirit and support

Open to youth ages 6-18, the Breakers compete on the local, regional, and national level.

BREAKERS TEAM MEMBERS

In order to join the Breakers, you must try out and be accepted to the team. Once accepted, athletes must register for their designated training groups.

REGISTER FOR YOUR TRAINING GROUP

Team Information

TRYOUT GENERAL INFO

2025-26 SHORT COURSE TRYOUTS WILL OCCUR THU AUG 14, THU SEP 4 + FRI SEP 5

The Breakers have tryouts in the summer and fall for the short course season, and in the spring for the long course season.

Swimmers will be expected to demonstrate the four competitive strokes for the coaches: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.

Each age group has specific skills that are required to demonstrate.

MINIMUM CRITERIA FOR TRYING OUT

  • Must be able to swim 25 yards of the pool without stopping or needing assistance
  • Must be able to swim freestyle and backstroke

MINIMUM CRITERIA TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ACCEPTANCE ONTO THE TEAM

  • Must be able to swim 25 yards of the pool without stopping or needing assistance
  • Must be able to swim freestyle and backstroke (8 & under)
  • Must be able to swim all four competitive strokes (9-12)
  • Have previous competitive experience at the BRONZE level or above, be able to swim and train all four strokes, ability to handle 2 hour training sessions 6x a week (13 & over)
  • Any swimmer of any age that has achieved NJYMA State Level times and/or NJUSA JO times should contact coaches before registering

SWIMMERS MUST PRE-REGISTER FOR A TIME SLOT FOR THEIR TRYOUT

Swimmers and parents must check in before entering the pool grounds.

Results of the try-outs will be emailed to each family shortly after the conclusion of try out days.

Try-out age is the age of the swimmer on December 1st of the tryout year.

REGISTER FOR TRYOUTS
PRACTICE ATTENDANCE
 
In each of our practice groups, the number of practices offered is designed to be appropriate for swimmers at their stage of development. We do understand that, from time to time, not every swimmer will be able to attend every practice. However, for a swimmer to improve, it is very important that the swimmer attends practice in sufficient amount and works diligently.
 
Though there is no magical amount of practice attendance that will guarantee success, it is widely understood that the more a swimmer practices diligently then the better the opportunity for the swimmer to swim closer to their potential.
 
The practice expectations are designed to inform the swimmer and parent how often the coaches feel a swimmer in that practice group should attend practice to get the minimum from the group’s practice plan.

PRACTICE OBJECTIVES
Each practice group is designed to prepare the swimmer for the longest Freestyle event and Individual Medley event that the swimmer will face in competition. To meet the objective the swimmer will be exposed to a combination of stroke work, aerobic development and race training to best prepare the swimmer for competition.

MEETS
The Breakers participate in YMCA dual meets and USA Swimming invitational meets. Using both types of meets, our goal is to provide each swimmer with the best competitive opportunities to test their skills and achieve success in swimming. Swimmers who do not attend meets as scheduled are missing the very important part of the sport of competitive swimming.

SUMMER PRACTICES
The Breakers program is based upon developing skills and conditioning on a year round basis. The skills and conditioning that our swimmers acquire during the winter is often lost if the swimmer does not continue to practice their skills and work on their conditioning through the summer season. As such, the Breakers believe that it is important for the best development of each swimmer that summer swimming is an important part a swimmer’s development.

BREAKERS COACHING STAFF 

Director / Elite Lead: Coach Meaghan Donnelly

Midnight / Senior Prep: Coach Meaghan, Christian, Tom H, Isabella

High School Development: Coach Jim

Cobalt: Coach Christian

Ocean: Coach Dean, Coach Beth

Navy: Coach Emma, Coach Tom M

Sky / Slate: Coach Natalya, Coach Tom M, Coach Emma

Team Coordinator/Assistant Coach (Float): Coach Lia

Assistant Coaches (Float): Coach Andrew, Coach Tom H, Coach Isabella

TRYOUT GENERAL INFO

2025-26 SHORT COURSE TRYOUTS WILL OCCUR THU AUG 14, THU SEP 4 + FRI SEP 5

The Breakers have tryouts in the summer and fall for the short course season, and in the spring for the long course season.

Swimmers will be expected to demonstrate the four competitive strokes for the coaches: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.

Each age group has specific skills that are required to demonstrate.

MINIMUM CRITERIA FOR TRYING OUT

  • Must be able to swim 25 yards of the pool without stopping or needing assistance
  • Must be able to swim freestyle and backstroke

MINIMUM CRITERIA TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ACCEPTANCE ONTO THE TEAM

  • Must be able to swim 25 yards of the pool without stopping or needing assistance
  • Must be able to swim freestyle and backstroke (8 & under)
  • Must be able to swim all four competitive strokes (9-12)
  • Have previous competitive experience at the BRONZE level or above, be able to swim and train all four strokes, ability to handle 2 hour training sessions 6x a week (13 & over)
  • Any swimmer of any age that has achieved NJYMA State Level times and/or NJUSA JO times should contact coaches before registering

SWIMMERS MUST PRE-REGISTER FOR A TIME SLOT FOR THEIR TRYOUT

Swimmers and parents must check in before entering the pool grounds.

Results of the try-outs will be emailed to each family shortly after the conclusion of try out days.

Try-out age is the age of the swimmer on December 1st of the tryout year.

REGISTER FOR TRYOUTS

For further info, please contact Meaghan Donnelly at [email protected]

Practice Groups

Slate | Ages 5-7

Foundations of Competitive Swimming
A fun and welcoming introduction to competitive swimming. Swimmers build water confidence and learn foundational stroke skills in a positive, small-group setting.

Sky | Ages 7-8 + New 9s

Foundations and Building Skills & Technique  
Designed for swimmers ready to grow beyond the basics. Sky develops stroke technique, starts, turns, and introduces training structure through engaging drills and practice sets.

Ocean | Ages 9-10 + Some 11s

Developmental Training & Technique
Ocean is for swimmers with growing proficiency looking to strengthen form and develop training habits. Ideal for athletes new to year-round competitive swimming.

Cobalt | Ages 9-10 + Some 11s

Elevated Development and Competition Readiness
A group for younger athletes with a solid foundation and competitive spirit. Cobalt emphasizes advanced technique, aerobic development, and race strategy.

Midnight | Ages 10-11 + Some 12s

Progressive Training & Competition for Age Group Athletes
Midnight athletes are committed to refining technique and increasing training intensity. Swimmers are experienced in competition and preparing for higher levels of performance.

Navy | Ages 9-13

Intro to Competitive Swimming – A Bridge from Lessons
A semi-competitive group for swimmers transitioning from lessons. Navy introduces dual meets and structured practices while focusing on skill development and teamwork.

High School Development | Ages 14-18

Fitness & Flexibility
Perfect for high school swimmers seeking to stay in shape and maintain skills. Practices support fitness and occasional competition, with breaks built in for school swim seasons.

Senior Prep | Ages 12-18

Pathway to Elite & Multi-Sport Training
A flexible training group for athletes preparing for Elite-level swimming or balancing multiple sports. Focuses on skill refinement, conditioning, and long-term growth.

Elite | Ages 13-18+

High-Performance Training
Our top-level training group for athletes aiming for state and national competition. Elite emphasizes advanced technique, race preparation, and year-round competitive excellence.

Expand to view class descriptions

BODY SCULPT
Shape and define lean muscles through targeted exercises that blend dumbells, resistance bands, and bodyweight movements. This energizing workout focuses on sculpting and toning, helping you build strength and flexibility. Every session is designed to leave you feeling strong, balanced, and revitalized, creating lean, graceful muscle definition from head to toe.

CIRCUITS
Boost strength, endurance, and agility with this high-energy, full-body circuit workout! Rotate through timed stations featuring strength reps, cardio bursts, and functional movements to keep your heart rate up and muscles engaged. With minimal rest between exercises, you’ll build power and push your limits.

CORE + MORE
Build strength and sculpt your upper body with targeted exercises designed to tone your core, chest, shoulders, back, biceps, and triceps. From various core exercises to weighted upper body exercises, this class delivers a dynamic workout that builds muscle, boosts posture, and leaves you feeling powerful.

HIIT SQUAD
Experience High-Intensity Interval Training taken to the next level. These dynamic classes combine functional and athletic movements using the TRX, treadmill, bikes, kettlebells, and more. Get ready for an intense, full-body workout that builds strength, endurance, and agility.

METCON
Challenge yourself with CrossFit-style circuits that combine strength, conditioning, and plyometric exercises. These workouts engage all three metabolic systems to enhance muscular power, strength, and endurance. Each month, you’ll repeat the same workout, allowing you to track your progress and compete against your own time and reps! Each class ends with mobility work and stretching.

MIDWEEK MOMENTUM
Build strength, power, endurance, and athleticism with a dynamic mix of dumbbells, bodyweight exercises, cardio, and functional movements. This full-body workout keeps you moving, challenges your fitness, and helps you build the momentum you need to power through the middle of your week.

RETROFIT
Step back in time with this high-energy class set to hits of the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s! This class combines functional training, core work, and athletic, step-based cardio intervals for a head-to-toe workout that builds endurance, power, and stamina. Get ready for the best of today’s evidence-based training principles blended with the nostalgia and energy of years past. Expect a music-driven workout that keeps you moving, sweating, and strong from start to finish!

SMALL GROUP FUNCTIONAL TRAINING
Improve your strength, stability, and mobility through functional movements designed to enhance everyday performance. A small class size ensures you receive 1-on-1 guidance to ensure proper form and maximum results. Push your limits, prevent injury, and build a stronger, more capable body in this challenging yet supportive environment.

STRENGTH TRAINING
Get ready to build strength from head to toe in this full-body workout using barbells and dumbbells. Move to the beat of energizing music as you challenge your muscles, break a sweat, and push your limits. This class is designed to keep you motivated while improving strength, endurance, and overall fitness.

SWEAT + STRETCH
Get the best of both worlds in this cardio-forward, full-body workout! Spend 30 minutes moving through energizing, heart-pumping exercises designed to build strength and endurance using total-body movements. Then, transition into 15 minutes of guided full-body stretching to restore mobility, release tension, and leave you feeling balanced, strong, and recharged.

TOTAL BODY CONDITIONING
This high-energy class provides an invigorating full-body challenge, with intensity tailored by the instructor. You’ll engage in dynamic high-rep strength exercises using a variety of equipment—dumbells, stability balls, steps, disks, and resistance bands—to build muscle, enhance balance, and boost endurance. No two sessions are the same, keeping your workouts fresh, engaging, and effective.

WEEKEND RE-BOOT
Kickstart your weekend with this all-levels bootcamp-style class that blends strength and cardio for a full-body reset. Using a mix of dumbbells, resistance bands, and bodyweight moves, you’ll sweat, recharge, and leave feeling strong and energized.

WOMEN’S BARBELL CLUB
Develop the strength and technique you need to approach the bar with confidence! Each class features a main compound lift paired with accessory work for a well-rounded strength workout. Expect to lift heavy, but all movements can be scaled based on experience and fitness level, making this class welcoming to both new and experienced lifters alike. With a strong emphasis on proper form and technique, participants will build strength safely and confidently in a supportive training environment. Woman-identifying and gender expansive individuals welcome.

HEAVY BAG
A high-intensity workout centered on striking a heavy bag, this class blends dynamic boxing moves to boost upper body strength, sharpen technique, and supercharge endurance. With punch combinations, body movements, and proper form guided by an instructor, it delivers a full-body challenge perfect for beginners and seasoned boxers alike, all while torching calories and channeling the spirit of a boxer in training.

KICKBOXING
An upbeat, full-body workout set to music, combining powerful punches and kicks with dynamic conditioning. Build strength, boost energy, and leave feeling empowered.

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS FOR SELF DEFENSE
Mixed Martial Arts for Self-Defense incorporates techniques from boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, grappling, and karate with the goal of producing skillful, accomplished, and well-rounded students proficient in the art of self-defense.
All new students must be at least 18 years old, sign a liability waiver, and purchase a white karate gi online (with a white belt) prior to beginning any class.

TAI CHI
Experience the calming power of Tai Chi, an ancient Chinese martial art that nurtures body, mind, and spirit. This “meditation in motion” focuses on gentle, flowing movements that relieve stress, promote relaxation, and enhance balance and coordination. Suitable for all levels, Tai Chi encourages mindfulness and inner peace while building strength, flexibility, and mental clarity, offering profound health benefits for overall well-being.

TAI CHI FOR ARTHRITIS
Tai Chi for Arthritis is an ideal, low-impact exercise for those looking to support joint health and improve strength, flexibility, and balance. Designed with controlled, slow movements and focused breathing, this class is especially beneficial for those with arthritis or other joint concerns. Tai Chi can aid in chronic pain management, enhance mobility, and promote relaxation, providing both physical and mental well-being.

CYCLE
Prepare for a high-energy workout in our cycling studio! This fast-paced ride lets you climb steep hills, sprint on straightaways, and power through challenging intervals—all set to motivating, heart-pumping music. Transform your fitness and push your limits in every session!

DYNAMIC YOGA
Dynamic yoga focuses on flowing movements and breathwork. It is a more vigorous style of yoga than traditional Hatha yoga, and it can be a great way to improve your cardiovascular health, strength, and flexibility.

GENTLE YOGA
This form of Hatha yoga practice involves breath, body, and mind, with poses not as strenuous as in a traditional yoga class.

GENTLE FLOW + RESTORE
A gentle, calming yoga practice that begins with slow, easy movements to warm the body, followed by longer-held restorative and yin-inspired poses to release tension, improve joint mobility, and calm the mind. Suitable for all levels.

HATHA YOGA
Hatha yoga is a traditional style of yoga that focuses on aligning the body, breath, and mind through deliberate movement and controlled breathing. This practice incorporates a series of postures, or asanas, held for extended moments to build strength, flexibility, and balance while promoting relaxation and mindfulness. Experience the transformative power of moving meditation.

HATHA FOR HEALTHY BONES
This practice combines traditional Hatha yoga postures with an emphasis on weight-bearing postures to promote bone density, improve balance, and increase flexibility. Suitable for all levels, this class is ideal for those looking to support long-term bone health while enjoying a balanced, focused, and restorative yoga experience.

IYENGAR YOGA
Iyengar yoga offers a structured and precise approach to building strength, flexibility, and inner calm. The class begins with foundational postures—standing, sitting, and lying down—and gradually introduces inversions, deeper backbends, and breathing techniques as the practice develops. Emphasizing proper alignment and posture, the Iyengar method utilizes props like blocks, straps, and bolsters to support practitioners of all levels, ensuring each pose is accessible and safely executed. This methodical approach encourages focused awareness, helping students cultivate both physical discipline and mental clarity, resulting in a balanced, mindful, and transformative experience.

MEDITATION + RESTORATIVE YOGA
This is our gentlest yoga class. Designed for those who wish to find healing, recovery physically and emotionally, and to learn to release chronic tension and stress. 

YOGA
This class will guide you through foundational poses, gentle stretches, and mindful breathing techniques to cultivate flexibility, strength, and balance. Whether you are new to yoga or have an established practice, each sequence is structured to allow you to move with intention, adapting to your own pace and ability.

YOGALATES
Yogalates combines the balance, stamina, strength, flexibility, and awareness of yoga with Pilates techniques to improve posture, core strength, and stability.

BALLS + BANDS
Balls + Bands is a dynamic 45-minute class designed to sculpt, strengthen, and stretch your entire body. Using resistance bands and stability balls, this class enhances core stability, improves flexibility, and tones muscles with controlled, low-impact movements. Expect a mix of balance challenges, deep muscle engagement, and fluid sequences that leave you feeling strong, centered, and energized.

MAT PILATES
Mat Pilates is a core-centered exercise method designed to build strength, flexibility, and body awareness through a series of controlled movements. This form of Pilates focuses on engaging deep stabilizing muscles, especially in the core, while also incorporating the arms, legs, and back for a full-body workout. Rooted in the original exercises created by Joseph Pilates, it is performed on a mat without specialized equipment, making it accessible yet highly effective for developing stability, improving posture, and enhancing balance and coordination.

PILATES POWER CLUB
Pilates Power Club is a dynamic mat Pilates class blending classic pilates principles with modern strengthening movements. This full-body workout emphasizes deep core strength, layering traditional mat work with contemporary flows, light dumbbells, and lots of energy. Expect intentional sequencing, strong transitions, and options that challenge stability and strength and improve posture, while staying true to Pilates form. Set to music that will make the time fly, you’ll leave feeling longer, stronger, and deeply connected to your body.

PILATES REMIX
Pilates Remix is a fresh take on traditional mat Pilates, blending classic, bodyweight-focused, high-repetition training with the strategic use of props such as bands, balls, rings, and dumbbells. In this 60-minute class, you’ll build deep core strength, improve control and alignment, and move with intention from start to finish.

YOGALATES
Yogalates combines the balance, stamina, strength, flexibility, and awareness of yoga with Pilates techniques to improve posture, core strength, and stability.

BARRE
Barre combines the grace and precision of classical dance with strength-building moves inspired by yoga and Pilates. In addition to the barre, the class incorporates resistance bands, gliding discs, and exercise balls to add variety, challenge, and support for each movement. This dynamic mix of equipment helps enhance flexibility, balance, and core strength, creating a full-body workout that tones muscles and improves posture.

SOULBODY BARRE
Experience the power of Soul Body’s signature method and flow that is smart, functional, and more athletic, yet mindful in its approach. Shape, tone, and strengthen the body in this results-driven program brings that “boutique barre experience” to group fitness.

STRETCH
Improve flexibility, relieve tension, and leave feeling both relaxed and revitalized. Through a series of gentle yet effective stretching exercises, you’ll increase your range of motion, enhance circulation, and release stress held in the body. Perfect for all fitness levels, this class offers a blend of relaxing stretches and invigorating movements that help you reset and recharge. Join us to restore balance, boost flexibility, and leave feeling refreshed from head to toe.

LABLAST® FITNESS
LaBlast® Fitness is a fun, partner-free dance workout created by world-renowned dancer Louis van Amstel, known for his work on Dancing with the Stars. Suitable for all levels, LaBlast® guides you through a variety of ballroom dance styles set to popular music from pop and rock to hip-hop and country. With options for adding plyometric moves, weights, or keeping it low-impact, LaBlast® lets you choose your intensity while toning your body, improving rhythm, and enjoying a fantastic workout. As Louis says, “If you can clap it, you can dance it!”

UZIMA: Dance & Strength
UZIMA (Swahili for “full of life”) is an all-levels, inclusive dance cardio and strength class created by professionally trained dancer and performer, Althea Hylton. UZIMA is a high-energy, total-body workout that blends dance, strength, and balance. This engaging and eclectic class features fun aerobic and total body movement, leaving you energized, strong, and full of life.

ZUMBA®
Zumba® is a high-energy, dance-fitness party designed for everybody and every body! This class combines low and high-intensity moves for an interval-style, calorie-burning workout set to Latin and World rhythms, making exercise feel like a celebration. You’ll enjoy a total-body workout that includes cardio, muscle conditioning, balance, and flexibility—leaving you energized, uplifted, and ready for more!

AQUA EX
Aqua exercise combines shallow and deep-water movements to provide a full-body workout with minimal impact on the joints. Using the natural resistance of water alongside specialized equipment like foam dumbbells and pool noodles, each session targets core stability, muscle strength, and coordination. Ideal for all fitness levels, Aqua exercise offers a challenging yet gentle way to build strength, boost stamina, and increase mobility in a supportive, low-impact environment.

AQUA ZUMBA®
Enjoy Zumba® on land? Try your favorite dance workout in the water for a great low-impact workout!

WE ARE CLOSED
EASTER WEEKEND

The Ridgewood Y will be CLOSED
Saturday April 4 + Sunday April 5.

SWIM LESSONS
SAT APRIL 4 – NORMAL SCHEDULE
SUN APRIL 5 – NO SWIM LESSONS

Thank you for your cooperation!

WEATHER NOTICE
MON FEBRUARY 23

Due to the expected inclement weather,
the Ridgewood Y will be closed
Monday, February 23.

Please check back here for updates.

Lap + Family Swim Schedule

We apologize for any inconvenience, and thank you for your cooperation!

2026 HOLIDAY HOURS

FACILITY HOURS
WED DEC 24 | 8:00AM-12:00PM
THU DEC 25 | CLOSED – MERRY CHRISTMAS!
FRI DEC 26 | 8:00AM-9:00PM
WED DEC 31 | 8:00AM-3:00PM
THU JAN 1 2026 | 8:00AM-3:00PM

STAY AND PLAY
THU DEC 25 | CLOSED
FRI DEC 26 | CLOSED
THU JAN 1 | CLOSED

SWIM LESSONS
TUE DEC 23 – THU JAN 1 | NO LESSONS
SUN DEC 28 – TUE DEC 30 | SWIM INTENSIVE WORKSHOP

CLICK BELOW TO VIEW MEMBER SCHEDULES

Group Fitness
Lap + Family Swim
Gymnasium

Happy Holidays from our Y Family to Yours!