PADI Mermaid Programs
Discover Mermaid
The Discover Mermaid™ experience introduces simple mermaid activities in confined water (i.e., a pool or place with pool-like conditions), shallow enough in which to stand. It is designed as a flexible, informative, enjoyable, and controlled experience centered on letting you discover what it's like to mermaid dive.
To enroll in a Discover Mermaid experience, you must be at least six years old. You need to be in good physical health and comfortable in the water. No prior experience with snorkeling, skin diving or freediving is required.
Academic
The PADI Discover Mermaid experience consists of two introductory phases:
- After signing up for the PADI Discover Mermaid program you will listen to a briefing from your PADI Mermaid Instructor to learn the basics about being a mermaid.
- A shallow water session in which you'll wear a mermaid tail (and depending on the situation, perhaps other additional mermaid costuming) followed by mermaid swimming, going underwater and games.
Description
In the PADI Discover Mermaid experience, you will use a monofin (i.e. mermaid tail), mask, snorkel and fins. You may also use a wet suit and weight belt. Using gear designed specifically for mermaiding is best; however, in this introductory experience, you may be able to use snorkeling equipment you already own. If you are a freediver, some of your gear (e.g. mask, fins, snorkel) is also mermaiding gear.
Check with your Harrisburg's West Shore Scuba for advice and specifics regarding the gear you'll use, what the experience includes and other details.
Cost
$75 for 1.5 hour class
Mermaid Certification
Expand your understanding of the physical properties of the underwater world and how they affect you as a mermaid, while learning additional routine, exhibition and problem-handling skills.
Description
The PADI Mermaid™ course includes knowledge development and at least two water skill sessions that develop more dynamic mermaid skills beyond Basic Mermaid™, including many skills that make mermaiding an underwater self-expressive art, separate from other types of diving. (Note that the PADI Mermaid course includes Basic Mermaid, so you can start with PADI Mermaid – there is no need to take Basic Mermaid separately.)
To enroll in a PADI Mermaid course, you must be at least ten years old. You need to be able to swim at least 50m/160ft without swim aids, able to float comfortably at the surface for at least 5 mins and in good physical health. As an entry-level mermaid diving course, no prior experience with diving of any kind is required.
Academic
The PADI Mermaid course has two phases:
- Knowledge development through independent study with the PADI Mermaid eLearning (or your instructor may conduct class sessions if not available in your language).
- Two confined water sessions to learn and prepare for mermaiding, rescue/problem management skills and the conduct of mermaid dives. You also learn mermaid skills, such as dolphin (butterfly) kicks, C-shape and U-shape side turns, and some skills distinct to mermaid diving, including backward somersault turn, underwater handshaking mermaid bubbles, and back glides.
Equipment
In the PADI Mermaid course, you will use a monofin (i.e. mermaid tail), mask, snorkel and fins. You may also use a wetsuit and weight belt. Using gear designed specifically for mermaiding is best; however, in this beginner course, you may be able to use snorkeling equipment you already own. If you are a freediver, some of your gear (e.g. mask, fins, and snorkel) is also mermaiding gear.
Cost: $250 which includes eLearning, monofin and tail, and two pool-sessions with a PADI certified Mermaid Instructor
Advanced Mermaid
Elevate your mermaiding experience in open water, while refining and improving your mermaid diving skills.
Description
In the PADI Advanced Mermaid™ course, you'll build on your PADI Mermaid™ certification and apply it to the open water environment. You'll learn the basics of how the open water environment differs from a pool or confined water (larger, deeper, more variable conditions) and be introduced to open water mermaiding techniques. You'll also learn about aquatic life – what to expect, how it can affect you, and how you avoid harm.
To enroll in the PADI Advanced Mermaid course you must be 12 years old or older and have a PADI Mermaid certification (or a qualifying certification from another mermaid organization). You need to be able to swim at least 100m/320ft without swim aids, able to float comfortably at the surface for at least 10 mins and in good physical health.
Academic
The PADI Advanced Mermaid course consists of three main phases:
- Knowledge development through independent study with the PADI Advanced Mermaid eLearning (or your instructor may conduct class sessions if not available in your language).
- At least two confined water sessions, in which you'll learn to prepare for mermaiding, rescue/problem management skills and the conduct of mermaid dives. You also learn mermaid skills, such as dolphin (butterfly) kicks, C-shape and U-shape side turns, and some skills distinct to mermaid diving, including backward somersault turn, underwater handshaking mermaid bubbles, and back glides.
- Open water sessions in a natural local body of water, or purpose-built site significantly larger than a pool, suited to mermaid diving in which you learn and practice the set-up, conduct and execution of open water mermaid dives, including environmentally friendly mermaid diving techniques.
Equipment
In the PADI Advanced Mermaid course, you will use a monofin (i.e. mermaid tail), mask, snorkel and fins. You may also use a wetsuit and weight belt. Using gear designed specifically for mermaiding is best for this level; however, you may be able to use snorkeling equipment you already own. If you are a freediver, some of your gear (e.g. mask, fins, and snorkel) is also mermaiding gear.
Cost: $250 includes eLearning and two Open Water Session with a PADI certified Mermaid Instructor
