The mermaids from Disney’s The Little Mermaid were mesmerising. The ones in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire were terrifying. Nevertheless, mermaids are fascinating mythical creatures that have been the stuff of folklore and fantasy for years. If you’ve ever wished you could be one, your dreams might just be about to come true – there are actual schools that teach mere mortals how to become merpeople, or close enough at least.
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1. Mermaid Kat Academy
Founded in 2012, Mermaid Kat Academy was the world’s first mermaid school to make ‘mermaid swimming’ accessible to the general public. The academy is named after its founder, Kat, whose childhood dream was to become a real mermaid. Kat is a scuba diving and free diving instructor. This teaching background, coupled with the inspiration to share her dream with others, resulted in the creation of mermaid classes and workshops that involve learning to swim with a ‘tail’. Different ages and levels are catered for so anyone can join these. Swimming with a tail makes for an exciting alternative to regular swimming, and is a great workout to boot.
Kat believes that each mermaid and merman is an ambassador of the ocean and so also educates her students about ocean environmental issues. The main Mermaid Kat school is found in Germany and there’s a second school in Perth, Australia.
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2. Sirenas Mediterranean Academy
This mermaid school is located in the port city of Tarragona, south of Barcelona in Spain. Sirenas Mediterranean Academy trains attendees to ‘become’ a mermaid or triton through a range of aquatic classes. The founder, Susana Seuma, came up with the idea as a result of her love for swimming and the ocean, and a car accident that badly injured her leg. Following the accident and after extensive hydrotherapy, Susana decided to pursue her long-held dream of becoming a mermaid and share her interest while doing so.
Lessons at the academy include ones on the history of mermaids and tritons. The mythology of these creatures and its significant role in Mediterranean cultures is also taught. As well as this, students of the academy are taught various swimming styles and techniques for swimming with a tail. Breathing exercises are also taught in classes to train students to be able to swim underwater for an extended time. Aspiring mermaids and tritons are also taught about the importance of caring for the environment. The owners of the academy also conduct marine environmental work in Tarragona.
Students who successfully complete their course attend a special ceremony and graduates receive an official mermaid certification.
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3. Flippers Mermaid School
Mermaid Kelly, the founder of this aquatic academy, received her ‘mermaid certification’ in North Carolina and brought her newfound knowledge home to Wisconsin. She opened Flippers Mermaid School to teach people the magic behind ‘being’ a mermaid. The school caters to the needs of anyone looking to master the art of being a mermaid and is open to students of all ages. The classes are two hours each, starting with a small swim test that determines whether swimming with a tail may be too tricky for a swimmer. Following this is fin safety and practicing swimming with fins on. Once comfortable, the class will get to enjoy learning new mermaid tricks and games.
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4. Mayim Mermaid Academy
This mermaid academy is the UK’s first, founded in 2015 by Michelle Forsbrey, and is located in Bournemouth. Over 500 mermaids and mermen have been trained in these waters. The academy offers unique and diverse experiences for adults and children alike who are looking to live their mermaid dream. It aims to create a magical escape from everyday life that individuals can enjoy while engaging in healthy, interactive exercises.
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5. The Philippine Mermaid Swimming Academy
At the Philippine Mermaid Swimming Academy, which was launched in 2012, treats mermading as a fun way to get fit. Safety is of the utmost importance at this school with IMSIA Certified Mermaid Swimming Instructors. There are academies located across the Philippines, including Manila, Cebu, Anilao and Boracay. The academy caters to all ages, with accessibility and inclusivity being a major focus. The academy holds introductory mermaid swimming lessons that are 90 minutes long. Advanced mermaid swimming lessons are also offered as well, and take 3 hours to complete. There is also a mermaid performer course and a mermaid swimming instructor course. A scuba mermaid course is also on offer as a speciality course option.
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Image source: Instagram @boracaymermaids
