Wellmark YMCA
501 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
Interim Head Practice Site Coach
Jason Walsh
Wellmark Assistant Coaches
Stacy Lohrman, YMCA
Shalee Torrence, YMCA
Joining our Team
Registration for the Fall/Winter 2025-26 season will open to returning members on August 4 and new members on August 25 with practice opportunites starting as early as September 8. Returning members do not need to tryout.
Fall/Winter 25-26 meet schedules will be posted and updated as available.
Wellmark Evaluations Fall/Winter 2025-26
Potential new members are asked to complete an evaluation before registration. During the evaluation process, your child will be expected to swim freestyle with side breathing and backstroke. They will also be asked to attempt breaststroke and butterfly if they know those strokes.
Evaluation Sessions:
Thursday, July 31 6:00pm at Wellmark YMCA Pool
Monday, August 25 6:00pm at Wellmark YMCA Pool
Thursday, August 28 6:00pm at Wellmark YMCA Pool
Sunday, September 7 11:00am at Wellmark YMCA Pool
To Register click here.
Questions? Please email [email protected].
Wellmark Parent Meeting Fall/Winter 2025-26
Monday, September 15 @5:30pm at Wellmark YMCA.
Wellmark Practice Schedule
September Start Date: Monday, September 8
October Start Date: Monday, October 6
November Start Date: Monday, November 3
* Combined Silver practice times held at Wellmark YMCA.
Practice times are subject to change.
Season Meet Schedule
Click HERE for 2025-26 USA Swimming Meet Schedule. YMCA Schedule is drafted in late September.
Click HERE for event calendar. (Must be logged-in to view.)
Season Fees*
Due to space and time limitations, some practice sites will fill their available roster spots. Swimmers are encouraged to register early to ensure a roster spot.
The DSMY Marlins are a competitive swim team:
- Training fees after the season championship meet will be prorated for athletes qualified for additional competitions.
- Future roster spots are not guaranteed. Priority is given to athletes competing in a minimum of three meets and families with completed volunteer hours.
- A minimum number of volunteer hours is set before each season depending on the number of team hosted events on the schedule.
The Marlin Swim Team is NOT a monthly program. Installment billing is available as a convenience to our families only. The entire season minimum fee will be collected regardless of start date. Installment billing is not available for registrations after the start of the regular season.
Refunds, partial credits, or discounts on registration and meet 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.
Membership in the YMCA of Greater Des Moines is required for all DSMY Marlin members during their season. Athletes must be current on both their YMCA and Marlin fees to participate in meets.
*Season fees do not include YMCA memberships, USA Swimming membership, or meet fees. Multi-Swimmer Discounts are available at the Practice Site locations only when registering all family members at the same time. (Discount does not apply to or with Senior Competitive Gold/Silver swimmers.) Alternatively, the YMCA offers financial assistance to those in need. Contact your practice site Welcome Center for information.
** This is the minimum fee to participate in the Marlin swim team program. Swimmers starting after May will still pay this entire amount.
High School Participation Fees (Fall/Winter season only)
High school aged swimmers in grades 9-12 are eligible for a special rate schedule when they choose to participate in their high school swim team. Junior high/middle school team participants are NOT eligible.
ALL high school swim team participants must register for the season by September 20th to ensure their roster spot and maintain their eligibility for competition in USA and YMCA meets as well as DSMY Marlin team functions.
Financial Assistance
The YMCA of Greater Des Moines offers financial assistance to families making under $50,000 annually. If you would like more information about the financial assistance program please contact the Wellmark Financial Assistance Specialist:
Phone number: 515-471-8561
Email: [email protected]
Parking at Wellmark
Most members choose to park in the city owned 5th and Keo ramp. It is located on the east side of 5th Street opposite the Wellmark YMCA. It is connected to the Wellmark on the Skywalk. Parking fee can be paid by credit/debit card at the exit or by using cash at the kiosk on the skywalk level. Click here to get directions to the garage.
Monthly Parking
Frequent users of the Wellmark YMCA should consider adding a Parking Pass to their membership.
- Prepaid validations: $15/month added to members' monthly bank draft. This monthly parking pass may be added to any member belonging to a YMCA of Greater Des Moines.
- Unlimited visits per day/month.
- Present parking tickets for validation at the Wellmark YMCA Welcome Center. Tickets are validated for two hours of parking. Time accrued beyond beyond 2 hours are paid by the member at exit or kiosk.
- Tri-Annual and Annual memberships will pay a pro-rated amount
Street Parking
- The street meters on our block are monitored during the hours of 9am-9pm Monday-Saturday.
- See Rate Plate on meter for hours and information
- Must obey supplemental posted signage to not get ticketed
- Free on Sundays ONLY
Wellmark Booster Club
