DSMY Marlin Masters Swimming Program
Wellmark YMCA
501 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
DSMY Marlin Masters Coaching Staff
James "Butch" Lawson
Masters Swimming Head Coach
Butch was late to start as a swimmer, yet got an early start as a swim coach. First coached in 1974 with his club/high school coach, Mike McWiliams, as we put on clinics around southeast Iowa. After several years away from being deeply involved in the sport, he started coaching part time in the fall of 1988. He was the head coach 3 years later and filled that role for 13 years. During that time, DMSF won many team state championships, dozens of national Top-16 age-group times, as well as Junior National champions, Senior National “Rookie of the Meet”, and top-12 world rankings. He was assistant coach for the victorious North squad at the 1992 US Olympic Festival. He was the first ASCA Level 5 coach in the state of Iowa. He was also a two-term President of the Iowa Swim Coaches Association (ISCA).
His goal with the Masters program is to provide a community for adult swimmers, regardless of their history in the sport, level of ability, and performance objectives. There is always a home for an adult who wants to improve their swimming ability.
Coach Butch would like to acknowledge the positive impact swimming has given to him. He grateful to the many friends from around the globe he has met through the swimming community- including his wife! Coach Butch believes there is no better activity for your physical, mental, and emotional fitness.
In his time away from the pool, Coach Butch enjoys hiking, reading, golf, and music. Along with his wife, Butch enjoys travel to attend live music events.
At DSMY Marlin Masters we strive to provide a welcoming, fun and safe place to enjoy the water and have a great swim training program experience. We welcome swimmers 18 years and older of all abilities who are looking for great coaching, terrific pools, and friendly encouraging lane mates. (The word "Masters" does not describe your ability or skill level; simply your age i.e. "adult" swim team.) Our practices will vary throughout the week and will focus on a variety of training aspects such as speed, endurance, technique and most importantly having fun. All practices are led by a certified DSMY coach who will guide the team by providing instruction and feedback to help you improve your swimming ability.
Practice Schedules
| Wellmark | |
| Monday - Friday | 6:00 - 7:00 AM |
| Monday - Friday | 12:00 - 1:00 PM |
Weekly Training Themes
Monday – Distance/aerobic
Tuesday – Pacing
Wednesday – Stroke/IM
Thursday – Sprint/relays
Friday - Fins
Program Fee
| Wellmark | |
| Monthly Unlimited | $50 |
| 10 session Punchcard | $100 |
* Program fee does not include YMCA Membership. A non-refundable $5 registration fee applies to both options. The YMCA of Greater Des Moines offers financial assistance for families making less than $50,000. Please contact the Welcome Center at your home branch for further information. If you receive assistance with YMCA membership, please contact the Swim Team Admin to have assistance applied to your Marlin Masters program fee.
Vacation holds and Cancellation policy
Marlin Masters monthly fees can be put on vacation hold by notifiying the Swim Team Admin 15 days before your billing date. Cancelling your YMCA membership does not automatically cancel your Marlin Masters membership. Please notify the Swim Team Admin 15 days before your billing date to cancel your Marlin Masters membership.
Refunds, partial credits, or discounts on registration and program fees are not available for missed practices and/or meets due to vacations, absence due to temporary illness, voluntarily leaving the team early, lack of attendance, or involuntary separation due to misconduct. Punch cards do not expire and refunds are not available on un-used punches.
Equipment
All swim gear is provided by the swimmer: suit, goggles, cap, water bottle, kick board, pull buoy, and fins.
Competition
There are more than 60,000 registered Masters swimmers in the United States who have chosen the sport of swimming to stay fit, healthy and race!
To compete in most Master's meets a membership in United States Masters Swimming is required. You can register here: www.usms.org. Our club code is DSMY.
Upcoming Events
Iowa Masters Swimming upcoming schedule of meets:
http://www.iowamasters.org/meetinfo.html
USMS event link: https://www.usms.org/events
USMS Spring 2022 National Qualifying Times
