Vanderkaay was born in Royal Oak, Michigan. He grew up in Oakland Township, Michigan and attended Rochester Adams High School in Rochester Hills, Michigan. He has three brothers, all of whom are competitive swimmers. His older brother Christian Vanderkaay swam for the University of Michigan and qualified for the 100-meter breaststroke at the 2008 Olympic trials. His younger brother Alex Vanderkaay qualified for the 2008 Olympic trials in several events, competing and making the finals in the 400-meter individual medley, 200-meter butterfly and the 200-meter medley. His third and youngest brother, Dane Vanderkaay, also qualified for the 2008 US Olympic trials in the 400-meter freestyle.