Building Confident Swimmers One Story at a Time
Start your Bear Paddle story with a free swim lesson and skills assessment.
Our results-focused story-based approach to teaching lessons builds confident and skilled swimmers, so parents can rest assured that their child is having fun while learning to swim.

Story-Based Approach
We use an engaging and immersive story-based approach in every lesson that makes a fun and memorable learning experience. Each month features a new theme, so your child never gets bored.

Progress Promise
Together we capture your child’s swim goal and set a timeline to reach that goal, and diligently track to ensure they are making progress. If they don’t reach their swim goal in the recommended time, we will course correct with additional lessons at no cost to you.

Flexible Scheduling
Our monthly schedule means you sign up for lessons when it’s convenient for you – no long-term contracts, and no quarterly commitments. All lessons include free make-up lessons!

No matter your experience, age, or comfort level, there’s a swim level for you
Whether you’re looking to increase your child’s comfort levels in the water, ensure their safety around water, or take their swim skills to the next level, Bear Paddle offers swim levels for kids of all ages and abilities.
Grow your love of swimming with a program that’s right for you
To best grow and retain your swim knowledge, weekly swim lessons ensure you’ll move up to the next level in no time.


Develop their love of swimming right away
Through catchy songs and stories, infants and parents together learn the very basics of swim safety and techniques.
We develop lifelong swimmers across the country
With 13 locations across Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, New Jersey, and Minnesota. Find a Bear Paddle location that’s convenient for you.

Bear Paddle Swim School Blog

The Ripple Effect: The Importance of Learning to Swim at an Early Age
Learning to swim is not just a recreational skill; it is a vital life-saving ability that everyone should possess. While people of all ages can...

11 Reasons Why We Love Summer Swim Clinics
Being passionate about learning to swim is one thing, but being diligent and tracking against it is another. That’s why we provide every student with...

How To Encourage Your Child While They Learn To Swim
Learning to swim is one of the most important skills your child can learn. According to the CDC, two children under the age of 14...