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Palm Bay, FL -- Florida ranks first in the nation for drowning deaths among children ages 1 to 4. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for that age group in this state. Research shows formal swim lessons cut drowning risk by 88 percent. Registration for spring swim lessons at the Palm Bay Aquatic Center opens Monday, April 6 at 9:00 AM. Spots fill within hours. There is no waitlist.
Florida Drowning Data Florida ranks #1 in the nation for drowning deaths among children ages 1-4. The state’s rate is 54% above the national average.
99 children drowned in Florida in 2023 (Florida DCF)
6.64 deaths per 100,000 children ages 1-4 in Florida (CDC, 2019-2021)
88% reduction in drowning risk from formal swim lessons (Archives of Pediatrics, PMC4151293)
The spring session runs Tuesdays and Thursdays, May 5 through May 21. Each child gets six 30-minute classes for $40. Registration is online only at playonline.palmbayfl.gov. The city recommends creating your account and adding each child under “Add New Member” before April 6, so you are ready the moment registration opens. Do not wait until April 6 to set up your account.
Registration at a Glance:
Opens: Monday, April 6, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Cost: $40 per session (6 classes)
Where: playonline.palmbayfl.gov (online only)
Classes run: Tuesdays and Thursdays, May 5 through May 21
Location: Palm Bay Aquatic Center, 420 Community College Pkwy SE, Palm Bay, FL 32909
Refund policy: No refunds. All registrations are final.
Questions: swim@palmbayfl.gov or (321) 952-2833
Waitlist: None. First-come, first-served.
Eight Levels, Thirty Minutes Each
The program covers the full spectrum from infants experiencing water for the first time to teenagers and adults who never learned. Each level has specific age cutoffs and skill prerequisites. Placing a child in the wrong level creates problems for the instructor and delays for every other student in that class. Read the descriptions before you register.
Classes run in two time blocks. The 8:30 AM block covers Parent and Tot alongside the Teen and Adult session. Preschool levels run from 9:15 to 9:45 AM. Learn to Swim runs 10:00 to 10:30 AM.
Parent & Tot (6 months to 5 years) 8:30 to 9:00 AM. Parent in water with child. Water orientation. No prior experience.
Starfish (Preschool L1, 3 to 5 years) 9:15 to 9:45 AM — No experience needed. Child must be able to enter and exit water independently.
Turtle (Preschool L2, 3 to 5 years) 9:15 to 9:45 AM — Can blow bubbles for 3 seconds, back float with assistance, alternate arm and leg movements.
Penguin (Preschool L3, 3 to 5 years) 9:15 to 9:45 AM — Back float unassisted for 5 seconds, combined arm and leg movement, face submerge.
Learn to Swim (3 levels, 5 to 12 years) 10:00 to 10:30 AM — Three progressive levels covering basic water comfort through full stroke development.
Teen and Adult (14 and up) 8:30 to 9:00 AM — Tailored to individual skill level. No prior experience required.
Financial Assistance and Special Needs
Families enrolled in EBT or the Free and Reduced Lunch program can qualify for a discounted rate. You must contact the city before completing your registration online. Email swim@palmbayfl.gov with your information and arrange the discount in advance. The city does not publish the discounted rate. Contact them directly.
Special Needs Note: Florida law requires specialized certifications to teach swimmers with certain disabilities. Palm Bay Aquatic Center instructors do not currently hold those certifications. The city has included this disclosure in each of its last three swim lesson announcements. Parents of children with special needs should contact the Aquatic Center before registering to discuss what is possible.
How to Register Without Losing Your Spot
The city runs one registration window. No waitlist. No refunds. No transfers. Sessions fill within the first hour based on prior years. Go to playonline.palmbayfl.gov before April 6, create your account, and add each child as a member through “Add New Member” in your profile. Get all of that done now.
On April 6 at 9:00 AM, log back in and complete the registration. Have your payment ready. When a session closes, it is closed. The city will not hold spots, issue credits, or move registrations to a later session.
Register at playonline.palmbayfl.gov Registration opens April 6 at 9:00 AM. Questions? Email swim@palmbayfl.gov or call (321) 952-2833. Palm Bay Aquatic Center, 420 Community College Pkwy SE, Palm Bay, FL 32909
COMING UP FIRST: Underwater Egg Hunt -- April 4
The Palm Bay Aquatic Center is hosting an underwater egg hunt on Saturday, April 4 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. $5 per person, ages 13 and under. Space is limited, event closes at capacity.
Egg hunt starts at 1:15 PM; open swim continues until 3:00 PM
Meet the Easter Bunny, photos available
For details: (321) 952-2833 or swim@palmbayfl.gov
Sources
City of Palm Bay -- Spring Swim Lesson registration announcement, March 2026
playonline.palmbayfl.gov -- City of Palm Bay recreation registration portal
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) -- Drowning data 2019-2021; Florida rate 6.64 per 100,000 for ages 1-4, #1 nationally
Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) -- 2023 Florida child drowning count: 99 children
Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, PMC4151293 -- Formal swim lessons reduce drowning risk by 88%
Florida Department of Health (DOH) -- Drowning as leading cause of unintentional death for Florida children ages 1-4
