The Y has been the leader in swim instruction and water exercise for more than a century. Swim lessons at the Y give children the skills to be safe in the water, plus a sense of accomplishment from learning something new. Along with the new confidence of being able to swim, children will gain lifelong ways to stay healthy. We also share our Y core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility to help them enhance their life skills.

The Bear Levin Studer Family YMCA in Downtown Pensacola offers swim lessons throughout the year. The Betty J. Pullum Family YMCA offer lessons in the summer months.

Cost is $55/session for Household Members and $110/session for program participants.

See charts below for session and registration dates.

What class is right for my child?

How old is the student swimmer?

Swim Starters

Parents work in the water with their children to explore body positions, floating, blowing bubbles, and fundamental safety and aquatic skills.

Will the student go under water voluntarily?

1/Water Acclimation

Students develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safety exit the pool.

Can the student float on his or her back and front by themselves?

2/Water Movement

Students focus on body and position control, directional change, and forward movement in the water.

Can the student swim 10-15 yards on his or her front and back?

3/Water Stamina

Students learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance and begin learning rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg action.

Can the student swim 15 yards of front and back crawl?

4/Stroke Introduction

Students develop stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl and learn the breaststroke kick and butterfly kick.

4/Stroke Introduction

Students develop stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl and learn the breaststroke kick and butterfly kick.

Will the student go under water voluntarily?

1/Water Acclimation

Students develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safety exit the pool.

Can the student do a front and back float on his or her own?

2/Water Movement

Students focus on body and position control, directional change, and forward movement in the water.

Can the student swim 10-15 yards on his or her front and back?

3/Water Stamina

Students learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance and begin learning rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg action.

Can the student swim 15 yards of front and back crawl?

4/Stroke Introduction

Students develop stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl and learn the breaststroke kick and butterfly kick.

Can the student swim front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke across the pool?

5/Stroke Development

Students work on stroke technique and learn all major competitive strokes.

Can the student swim front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke across the pool and back?

6/Stroke Mechanics

Students refine stroke technique on all major competitive strokes and learn about competitive swimming.

6/Stroke Mechanics

Students refine stroke technique on all major competitive strokes and learn about competitive swimming.

Will the student go under water voluntarily?

1/Water Acclimation

Students develop comfort with underwater exploration and learn to safety exit the pool.

Can the student do a front and back float on his or her own?

2/Water Movement

Students focus on body and position control, directional change, and forward movement in the water.

Can the student swim 10-15 yards on his or her front and back?

3/Water Stamina

Students learn how to swim to safety from a longer distance and begin learning rhythmic breathing and integrated arm and leg action.

Can the student swim 15 yards of front and back crawl?

4/Stroke Introduction

Students develop stroke technique in front crawl and back crawl and learn the breaststroke kick and butterfly kick.

Can the student swim front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke across the pool?

5/Stroke Development

Students work on stroke technique and learn all major competitive strokes.

Can the student swim front crawl, back crawl, and breaststroke across the pool and back?

6/Stroke Mechanics

Students refine stroke technique on all major competitive strokes and learn about competitive swimming.

6/Stroke Mechanics

Students refine stroke technique on all major competitive strokes and learn about competitive swimming.

For ages 13 and older, we offer two classes: Beginners for anyone who cannot swim the length of the pool and Intermediate for anyone who can.

Swim Session Dates - Bear Levin Studer Y

MONDAY/WEDNESDAY SESSIONS for 2025

Dates	Member Registration Opens	Participant Registration Opens	Please Note
Oct 6 - Oct 29	Sep 22	Sep 29
Nov 3 - Nov 19	Oct 20	Oct 27	3-week session due to Thanksgiving

TUESDAY/THURSDAY SESSIONS for 2025

Dates	Member Registration Opens	Participant Registration Opens	Please Note
Oct 7 - Oct 30	Sep 22	Sep 29
Nov 4 - Nov 20	Oct 20	Oct 27	3-week session due to Thanksgiving

SATURDAY SESSIONS for 2025

Dates	Member Registration Opens	Participant Registration Opens	Please Note
Sep 6 - Oct 25	Aug 23	Aug 30
Nov 1 - Nov 22	Oct 18	Oct 25	4-week session

GROUP SWIM LESSONS

What class is right for my child?

Swim Starters

1/Water Acclimation

2/Water Movement

3/Water Stamina

4/Stroke Introduction

4/Stroke Introduction

1/Water Acclimation

2/Water Movement

3/Water Stamina

4/Stroke Introduction

5/Stroke Development

6/Stroke Mechanics

6/Stroke Mechanics

1/Water Acclimation

2/Water Movement

3/Water Stamina

4/Stroke Introduction

5/Stroke Development

6/Stroke Mechanics

6/Stroke Mechanics

Swim Session Dates - Bear Levin Studer Y

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