Here's How You Can Become a Mermaid

Annette Batista Day/Unsplash

If you’re looking for the mermaid capital of Florida, without a doubt, it would be Weeki Wachee. After all, mermaids were the pioneers that put Weeki Wachee on the map all those years ago.

The magical mermaids there have been putting on shows in the park’s underwater theater since 1947, and they’ve performed for hundreds of thousands of people from around the world over the years, including Elvis Presley. The mermaid show remains one of the biggest attractions at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park today.

If you get a chance to see the show for yourself, I highly recommend it. I was pleasantly surprised when I emerged from the theater the first time, thoroughly impressed by what I’d just witnessed.

But if you’re unable to make it to Weeki Wachee, your dreams of meeting a mermaid can still come to life. There’s another (perhaps even better) option: you can become a mermaid yourself!

If you’re wondering how, Mermaid Ina has you covered. There are many ways you can live the mermaid life, all offered by Ina’s Mermaid School.

Mermaid for a Day Experiences

There’s a real-life mermaid offering 90-minute classes in Clearwater, Florida.

Held at select pool locations in the area, the Become a Real Mermaid session includes “mermagic, swimming, tricks, and more.” You’ll also get video proof of your mermaid experience, plus a tail of your choice to borrow for the class (or take home with you if you want to buy it).

Even if you aren’t a natural water baby, you have to admit that putting on a colorful tail and learning how to swim like a mermaid sounds like a fun and unique way to spend a few hours, even for an adult! My oldest sister, for example, would probably be more excited about this than any of the little kids in her class!

Fun is for any age, not just for the kids!

Mermaid Photo Shoots

If you’re like me and have never loved swimming (although you still do it), Ina’s Mermaid School has another option for you that doesn’t require you to get in the water. If you head south from Clearwater to Indian Shores (about a 25-minute drive), you can get a personalized photo shoot of you as a mermaid on the beach!

You can book a private or group Mermaid for a Day Photo Shoot lasting anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes, and the host will provide you with all the mermaid gear you need: crowns, tails, sparkles, and more! You’ll receive a small collection of edited photos following the shoot to remember this unique experience and share with your friends.

However, if your brief mermaid existence leaves you wanting more, there is one final option for you below.

Professional Mermaid Training

Did you know you can become a professional mermaid?

Remember the famous mermaids of Weeki Wachee I mentioned above? Well, they’ve undergone extensive training and certifications to become professionals!

Ina’s Mermaid School says SDI (Scuba Diving International) Mermaid Certifications “blend the skills of freediving with the art of mermaiding. Students will learn breathing techniques, breath hold and recovery technique, mermaiding swimming and underwater skills, SAFETY, freediving basics, and more!”

You can also train to be an instructor if you want to teach more water-loving kids of all ages how to harness their inner mermaid and showcase their creativity.

You’re in good hands with Karen Tickner (aka Mermaid Ina), who’s a certified lifeguard, freediving instructor, and mermaid specialty instructor, among other qualifications. Her mission at Ina’s Mermaid School is to “help our mermaids find their passionate, true selves through imagination, play, and freedom.”

No matter which mermaid experience you choose, it’s sure to be an adventure you’ll remember long after you hang up your tail.

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