Walnut Creek Family YMCA
948 73rd Street
Windsor Heights, IA 50324
(515) 224-1888
Head Practice Site Coach
Damon Garrison
[email protected]
Walnut Creek Assistant Coaches
Angie Harrington, YMCA
Ethan Cohen, YMCA & USA
Josh Doolittle, YMCA & USA
Mark Wachendorf, YMCA
Megan Stewart, YMCA
Rebecca Kush, YMCA & USA
Sarah Crane, YMCA & USA
Tara Kettles, YMCA
Joining our Team
Registration for the Spring/Summer 2024 season will open to new and returning members March 25 with practice opportunites starting as early as April 8. Returning members do not need to tryout.
Spring/Summer 2024 practice and meet schedules will be posted when available.
Walnut Creek Evaluations
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:
Tuesday, March 5, 6:00 PM
Monday, March 18, 6:00 PM
Wednesday, March 20, 6:00 PM
Saturday, April 6, 11:00 AM
Questions? Please email Coach Damon.
Please complete the tryout FORM before coming to your tryout session.
Walnut Creek Practice Schedule
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday/5th Practice* | |
| White | 4:00 - 4:45 PM or 5:30 - 6:15 PM |
4:00 - 4:45 PM or 7:00 - 7:45 PM |
4:00 - 4:45 PM or 5:30 - 6:15 PM |
4:00 - 4:45 PM or 7:00 - 7:45 PM |
See Event Calendar |
| Purple | 4:00 - 5:15 PM or 5:30 - 6:45 PM |
4:00 - 5:15 PM or 7:00 - 8:15 PM |
4:00 - 5:15 PM or 5:30 - 6:45 PM |
4:00 - 5:15 PM |
See Event Calendar |
| Blue/Bronze | 4:00 - 5:30 PM or 5:30 - 7:00 PM |
4:00 - 5:30 PM or 7:00 - 8:30 PM |
4:00 - 5:30 PM or 5:30 - 7:00 PM |
4:00 - 5:30 PM |
See Event Calendar |
*Fifth practices, in order to have long course practice, will be at the Wellmark YMCA when available. Otherwise, 5th practices will be at Walnut Creek. Downloadable 5th practice calendar.
NO PRACTICE May 27, July 4
Spring/Summer 2024 Meet Schedules
All meets are listed under the Event Registration tab.
Season* Fees
| Spring/Summer 2024 | Minimum** Season Fee (May or later start) |
Early Season (April start) |
| White | $307.50 | $410.00 |
| Purple | $363.75 | $485.00 |
| Blue/Bronze | $397.50 | $530.00 |
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.
A swimmer’s training season is over after their last qualified championship meet. Training fees after the season championship meet will be prorated for athletes qualified for additional competitions.
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 May 31, 2024.
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. 10% discount for two swimmers, 15% discount for three swimmers and 20% discount for four or more swimmers in the family. (Discount does not apply to or with Travel Team swimmers.) Additionally, 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 November 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 1st to ensure their roster spot and maintain their eligibility for competition in USA and YMCA meets as well as DSMY Marlin team functions.
2023 High School Girls Season: August 7, 2023- November 11, 2023
2023-24 High School Boys Season: November 6, 2023- February 10, 2024
| High School ONLY |
PIF |
September |
October |
Nov-Feb |
Post Season |
| Practice Site Girls |
$493.75 |
$15.00 |
$15.00 |
$115.94 |
$132.50 |
| Practice Site Boys |
$394.38 |
$132.50 |
$132.50 |
$32.35 |
$132.50 |
Financial Assistance
Booster Club
Open to all parents of active team members, the Walnut Creek booster club welcomes you to attend their regular monthly meetings. All meetings are from 5-6 PM in the social area off the lobby:
Spring/ Summer 2023-24 dates to be announced.
