Help, Swim Lesson Dilemma

Hello, we're having a bit of a parenting dilemma here at our household. My 4 1/2 year old is taking swimming lessons. She has taken lessons before at many different places, private lessons, ymca lessons, at peoples houses. She is very close to swimming. So I signed her up for Level 1 lessons at the town beach. There are about 5 kids in the class. It started yesterday. She talks about it often, says she wants to do it, but when we're there freaks out.

She won't do what the teacher says. Also, she is the only kid who is freaking out. She is perfectly capable of doing what they are asking her to do. After yesterdays freak out, we went early today and she was practicing. As soon as the teacher and other kids got there, she freaked. Screaming ensued and basically nobody was having any fun at all. I am at a loss. This kid loves to swim, wants to swim. What do I do?

One thing I'm thinking is that the teacher is a guy, all of her other teachers in classes, school, art stuff have been youngish females who are fun and bubbly. He's a bit tough, nice, but a bit tough. Also, the other kids have no problem putting there head under water and she doesn't like that. Still, no one is pushing her to do anything she doesn't want to do. She is freaking just about standing near the class.

So, my question is, do I make her go? Do I keep going, but don't push her and deal with her freak outs (which frankly seems disruptive to the class). I really don't want her to be seen as a "baby". But I only want her to do things she feels comfortable with. I'm sort of struggling here. I'm not sure how to handle it. I want her to be able to push through something when she feels uncomfortable to see that it will be okay. I'm right there with her. I don't know, is anyone out there who has any thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance.