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.

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.

REGISTER

Swim Session Dates - Bear Levin Studer Y

MONDAY/WEDNESDAY SESSIONS for 2025

Dates	Member Registration Opens	Participant Registration Opens	Please Note
Jan 6 - Jan 29	Dec 23	Dec 30	Lessons start at 4 pm (air sock repair)
Feb 3 - Feb 26	Jan 20	Jan 27
Mar 3 - Mar 26	Feb 17	Feb 24
Mar 31- Apr 23	Mar 17	Mar 24
Apr 28 - May 21	Apr 14	Apr 21	Week skipped after for Memorial Day
Jun 2 - Jun 25	May 19	May 26	Week skipped after for July 4th
Jul 7 - Jul 30	Jun 23	Jun 30
Aug 4 - Aug 28	Jul 21	Jul 28	Week skipped after for Labor Day
Sep 8 - Oct 1	Aug 25	Sep 1
Oct 6 - Oct 29	Sep 22	Sep 29
Nov 3 - Nov 19	Oct 20	Oct 27	3-week session due to Thanksgiving
Dec 1 - Dec 17	Nov 17	Nov 24	3-week session due to Christmas

TUESDAY/THURSDAY SESSIONS for 2025

Dates	Member Registration Opens	Participant Registration Opens	Please Note
Feb 4 - Feb 27	Jan 20	Jan 27
Mar 4 - Mar 27	Feb 17	Feb 24
Apr 1 - Apr 24	Mar 17	Mar 24
Apr 29 - May 22	Apr 14	Apr 21	Week skipped after for Memorial Day
Jun 3- Jun 26	May 19	May 26	Week skipped after for July 4th
Jul 8 - Jul 31	Jun 23	Jun 30
Aug 5- Aug 29	Jul 21	Jul 28	Week skipped after for Labor Day
Sep 9 - Oct 2	Aug 25	Sep 1
Oct 7 - Oct 30	Sep 22	Sep 29
Nov 4 - Nov 20	Oct 20	Oct 27	3-week session due to Thanksgiving
Dec 2 - Dec 18	Nov 17	Nov 24	3-week session due to Christmas

SATURDAY SESSIONS for 2025

Dates	Member Registration Opens	Participant Registration Opens	Please Note
Jan 4 - Feb 22	Dec 21	Dec 28
Mar 1 - Apr 19	Feb 15	Feb 22	7-week session due to Easter
Apr 26- Jun 28	Apr 12	Apr 19	No class 5/24 (Memorial Day); week skipped after for July 4th
Jul 12 - Aug 30	Jun 28	Jul 5
Sep 6 - Oct 25	Aug 23	Aug 30
Nov 1 - Dec 13	Oct 18	Oct 25	6-week session - no class 11/29 due to Thanksgiving

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

REGISTER

Swim Session Dates - Bear Levin Studer Y

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