Adult Swim Lessons

Recreation & Wellbeing offers adult classes for beginning, intermediate and advanced swimmers. No matter what your level, all of our classes are taught in a comfortable, supportive environment.

Adult swim lessons are intended for participants ages 17 or older. For youth swim lessons offered in the summer and fall, please visit our Youth Swim Programs pages.

Spring 2026 Adult Swim Lessons will be available for registration starting January 5, 2026 at 10:00 am!

Enable Student Pricing
UC Berkeley students are RecWell members and are eligible to register for offerings at the student price.
1. Log into CalCentral and look for the RecWell Waiver under Notifications or Tasks.
2. Review and accept the waiver.
3. Student pricing and access to our facilities will be enabled the following day by 7 am. If you continue to experience issues, please email RecWell@berkeley.edu for assistance.
If you have already accepted your waiver and it has been more than 24 hours, there may be an issue with your registration status. Students must maintain official registration status to keep their student membership active. Please review your CalCentral account to clear any holds and avoid interruptions to your access. For more information about holds, visit Cal Student Central.

Beginner

Learn freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke techniques in a shallow pool. Gain confidence in strokes in a comfortable and encouraging environment. Basic water safety skills, breathing, body positioning, and stroke techniques will be introduced. Designed for people with little or no previous swimming experience.

Price:

Six sessions: $75 for Members and $100 for Non-Members
Five sessions: $65 for Members and $80 for Non-Members

Instructor:

Saturdays: Helen Bobell
Sundays: Philip Huang

Dates	Days	Time	Location	Register
2/7/26 – 3/14/26 (6 sessions)	Saturdays	11:00am-12:00pm	Golden Bear Pool	Join the waitlist
2/8/26 – 3/15/26 (6 sessions)	Sundays	12:00pm-1:00pm	Golden Bear Pool	Register
2/8/26 – 3/15/26 (6 sessions)	Sundays	1:00pm – 2:00pm	Golden Bear Pool	Register
4/5/26 – 5/3/26 (5 sessions)	Sundays	12:00pm – 1:00pm	Golden Bear Pool	Register
4/5/26 – 5/3/26 (5 sessions)	Sundays	1:00pm – 2:00pm	Golden Bear Pool	Register

Adult (must be 17 years or older) classes for all levels and clinics designed to improve specific strokes or styles
For more information on our summer youth swim lessons, please visit: Year Round Youth Swim Programs

Intermediate

Expert instructors will improve your freestyle and backstroke. Learn the breaststroke, butterfly, and basic flip turns. Gain confidence in all your strokes in a comfortable, encouraging environment. This course is a great preparation course to take your swimming technique to the next level. Participants must be able to swim the length of the pool to enroll in this offering.

Price:

Six sessions: $75 for Members and $100 for Non-Members
Five sessions: $65 for Members and $80 for Non-Members

Instructor:

Saturdays: Helen Bobell
Sundays: Philip Huang

Dates	Days	Time	Location	Register
2/7/26 – 3/14/26 (6 sessions)	Saturdays	10:00am – 11:00am	Golden Bear Pool	Register
2/8/26 – 3/15/26 (6 sessions)	Sundays	11:00am – 12:00pm	Golden Bear Pool	Register
4/5/26 – 5/3/26 (5 sessions)	Sundays	11:00am – 12:00pm	Golden Bear Pool	Register

Adult (must be 17 years or older) classes for all levels and clinics designed to improve specific strokes or styles
For more information on our summer youth swim lessons, please visit: Year Round Youth Swim Programs

Swim Clinics

Swim clinics are one-day offerings designed to focused instruction on specific strokes or styles. These offerings are available to adults ages 17 years or older. For more information on our summer youth swim lessons, please visit Year Round Youth Swim Programs.

Conquer Your Fear

It’s time to get your face underwater. If you’ve been meaning to learn how to swim, but have not been able to overcome your fear of water, then this class is for you! Learn basic breathing techniques and how to float and feel comfortable in a shallow pool. We’ll help you conquer your fear of water in a safe, supportive and encouraging environment.

Price: Student price – $35 / Non-Student price – $40
Instructor: Eric Geoffroy

Dates	Days	Times	Location
April 4th, 2026	Saturday	10:30am – 12:00pm	Golden Bear Pool

Freestyle Swim Clinic

This class is designed for swimmers who want to improve the power and finesse of their freestyle by learning the correct form, technique and the fundamental aspects such as proper breathing, head position, leg position, arm extension and motion.

Price: Student price – $35 / Non-Student price – $40
Instructor: Helen Bobell

Dates	Days	Times	Location
April 11th, 2026	Saturday	10:30am – 12:00pm	Golden Bear Pool

Backstroke Clinic

Take your backstroke to the next level with this focused clinic.

Price: Student price – $35 / Non-Student price – $40
Instructor: Helen Bobell

Dates	Days	Times	Location
April 18th, 2026	Saturday	10:30am – 12:00pm	Golden Bear Pool

Breaststroke Clinic

Take your breaststroke to the next level with this focused clinic.

Price: Student price – $35 / Non-Student price – $40
Instructor: Helen Bobell

Dates	Days	Times	Location
April 25th, 2026	Saturday	10:30am – 12:00pm	Golden Bear Pool

Flipturn Clinic

Do you want to learn or refine your flip-turn? This class is designed for novice level swimmers who need to learn the turn from scratch. It will also help intermediate to advanced level swimmers who need to clean up various fundamental aspects of the turn such as proper line of rotation, proper push off alignment or streamlining. By the end of class, you’ll be swimming like a pro.

Price: Student price – $35 / Non-Student price – $40
Instructor: Helen Bobell

Dates	Days	Times	Location
May 2nd, 2026	Saturday	10:30am – 12:00pm	Golden Bear Pool

Butterfly Clinic

Take your butterfly to the next level with this focused clinic. Recommended: Completion of an Intermediate Swim class is recommended prior to enrolling in this clinic.

Price: Student price – $35 / Non-Student price – $40
Instructor: Helen Bobell

Dates	Days	Times	Location
Summer 2026			Check back for updates

This offering is not scheduled for Spring 2026 but may return in Summer 2026.

Zen Swim Clinic

Zen Swim Clinic is an integrated approach to swimming which cultivates a balance between power, grace and efficiency. Each stroke is broken down into a series of progressive movements, enabling participants to work on the essential elements of the stroke and to unlearn unhelpful habits. Whatever your ability, Zen Swim Clinic offers a unique opportunity to develop core swimming skills and explore aquatic movement in a positive learning environment. General body awareness is developed, promoting good alignment while minimizing the risk of strain or injury.

Price: Student price – $35 / Non-Student price – $40
Instructor: Philip Huang

Dates	Days	Times	Location
Summer 2026			Check back for updates

This offering is not scheduled for Spring 2026 but may return in Summer 2026.

Side Breathing Clinic

Learn to breathe easily & efficiently during your freestyle! One of the most common beginner mistakes is holding one’s breath while swimming. Take this clinic to develop the proper body rotation and timing so that your air exchange is effortless and increases your stamina.

Price: Student price – $35 / Non-Student price – $40
Instructor: Helen Bobell

Dates	Days	Times	Location
Summer 2026			Check back for updates

This offering is not scheduled for Spring 2026 but may return in Summer 2026.

Private Swim Lessons

Private lessons can be purchased and scheduled through a RecWell Mindbody Online account. Check availability below, or log in to your account. Lessons are typically scheduled at Golden Bear Pool.

Offering (60 minutes)	Member Price	Non-Member Price
One Individual Lesson	$55	$60
Four Individual Lessons	$210	$220
Eight Individual Lessons	$400	$420
One Duet Lesson*	$90	$95
Four Duet Lessons*	$350	$360
Eight Duet Lessons*	$680	$700

*Duet Lessons are intended for two participants ages 18 years or older. Only one person completes the payment with the understanding that two people will participate in the session.

Schedule a Private Swimming Lesson

Staff availability for private swim lessons is typically mid-day during the week with Eric, and on weekends following our adult swim lessons and clinics with Helen. Availability may be limited; if you don’t see an open time slot, please check back later for additional openings.

Golden Bear Pool will be closed from December 20–January 11. Lessons are currently available for booking for dates after January 12.

Program Registration Policies

Program Withdrawal & Refund Policy
Program Withdrawal & Refund Policy

Applies to all RecWell programs except Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Wilderness First Responder (WFR), and Youth Programs.

Program withdrawal requests must be submitted via email to RecWell@berkeley.edu or through the Action Request Form.
- Refund requests received more than 3 business days before the program start date will be approved, minus a 15% administrative fee deducted from the program registration fee.
- No refunds will be issued within 3 business days of the program start date or after the program has begun. This policy is applicable to participants who registered within the 3 business day window.
- Refunds are processed Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., excluding UC holidays. Requests submitted outside these hours will be reviewed the following business day.
  - Example: If your program starts on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday before 9 a.m., your refund request must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. the Tuesday before.
Wilderness First Responder (WFR) & WFR Recertification

Please note: Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and Wilderness First Responder Recertification courses are offered in partnership with NOLS and are subject to the NOLS Cancellation, Payment, & Attendance Policies. Please contact NOLS for more information.

Wilderness First Aid (WFA)

The Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course is not eligible for RecWell’s standard refund or transfer policies, and it requires at least 15 days’ notice for requests due to administrative processes with our external partner.

15 days or greater prior to the start of the WFA course, you may email us at RecWell@berkeley.edu or submit an Action Request Form to cancel the course. A refund less a $50 processing fee will be issued. The WFA course is non-refundable and non-transferrable less than 15 days prior to the course start date.
Attendance and Missed Classes
Please review program dates carefully before enrolling. Program fees are not prorated or adjusted for missed classes. Credits or make-up classes will not be provided for classes missed or non-attendance.

Full attendance is essential for participant success and may be required to complete the program or qualify for sequenced offerings (e.g., Sailing 1-A to Sailing 1-B). In some cases, tardiness or absences may pose a safety risk, as instructors are unable to provide individualized instruction for missed content in a group setting. For safety reasons, the Instructor and Program Manager reserve the right to remove participants from the program without a refund if attendance requirements are not met.
Class Minimums
All programs will need to meet a minimum number of participants at least 72 hours before they begin. If an offering does not reach that number, it may be canceled. This approach helps us ensure a high-quality experience for all participants and allows our team to plan effectively.

If a class is canceled, we will update the website and notify affected patrons via email with options in advance of the program start date.
Program Payment
Eligible customers may register for programs through our online platform or in person at the Customer Service Center. Full payment is required at the time of registration. Participants must accept the RecWell Waiver at the time of purchase to participate in RecWell programs and access RecWell facilities.

Enrolled participants who request to transfer a registration payment from the original payment method to another credit or debit card will be charged a 15% processing fee.

Price Adjustments
- Students: Each academic year, students must accept the RecWell Waiver in CalCentral before their student RecWell membership is imported into our system, typically within 1-2 days. Students may request one retroactive price adjustment per academic year if they paid the non-student rate before their membership imported. The request may be submitted up to 3 business days after the program start date. This applies to most programs, including Adventures offerings, as long as there were no separate student and non-student listings.
  - Note: Some Adventures programs have separate listings for student and non-student participants. If the student-rate listing is full and you register for the non-student offering instead, no refund or price adjustment will be offered. Please confirm your membership status before registering.
- Non-students: Please confirm your membership status before registering. The rate paid at the time of purchase is final and cannot be adjusted.
Transfers
Transfer requests must be submitted via email to RecWell@berkeley.edu or through the Action Request Form at least 3 business days before the program start date. Some programs may be ineligible for transfer due to program age restrictions, certification requirements, waiver acceptance limitations, enrollment capacity, or other reasons.

Transfers to a program of equal value will incur no additional fee. Transfers to a program of greater value require payment of the difference at the time of the transfer. Transfers to a program of lesser value are subject to a 15% processing fee for the any refund.

Late Transfers

Transfer requests submitted less than 3 business days before the program start date are not guaranteed and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Assistant Director of Customer Service, Program Manager, or their designee. Late transfers may be subject to a 15% processing fee, or approved only as account credit to be processed by the Customer Service Center staff for future enrollments. No transfers will be approved after the course has begun, except in the cases of skill level misplacement identified by the instructor.
Waitlists
Most of our programs offer a waitlist option. When a program is full, click the registration link and follow the prompts to join the waitlist. If a spot becomes available, the Customer Service team will email the next person on the waitlist with a deadline to accept and pay. Openings not claimed by the deadline will be offered to the next person on the list.

If a program is scheduled to begin within 3 business days, the Customer Service team may reach out to everyone on the waitlist to gauge interest for a last-minute opening. The spot will be offered to the person closest to the top of the waitlist who responds and confirms interest by the stated deadline.

Adult Swim Lessons

Beginner

Intermediate

Swim Clinics

Conquer Your Fear

Freestyle Swim Clinic

Backstroke Clinic

Breaststroke Clinic

Flipturn Clinic

Butterfly Clinic

Zen Swim Clinic

Side Breathing Clinic

Private Swim Lessons

Schedule a Private Swimming Lesson

Program Withdrawal & Refund Policy

Wilderness First Responder (WFR) & WFR Recertification

Wilderness First Aid (WFA)

Price Adjustments

Late Transfers