Meet the PADI Mermaid Team!
Our global team of PADI Mermaids and Mermen are a united front of inspiration, charisma, and passion for the planet. They all embody our shared ethos and are committed to creating local mermaid spheres of influence in key areas for ocean advocacy and outreach.
Mermaid Elle | Florida, USA
1. What inspired you to become a PADI Mermaid?
Becoming a PADI Mermaid was essen-shell for my career as a professional mermaid! I have been performing aquatic acts as a mermaid for events and aquariums since 2016 and knowing how to swim and dive safely in front of a crowd was the most important part of the job! Mermaids also represent the beauty and magnificence of the ocean and therefore it is our mission as half-human half-fish creatures to bring awareness to the many issues threatening our oceans. I love that the PADI Mermaid program involves the importance of protecting our oceans and making an impact on what humans can do to keep our oceans and all marine life safe. That is so important for any mermaid!
2. What are your tips to those who want to also become PADI mermaids?
Other than getting a safe swimmable tail as part of your diving gear (such as CapeCali DiveTails or GalleryTails), my most important tip is to relax underwater while mermaiding, to open your heart and mind, let your inner child have a splash, and become one with the water. Mermading is a beautiful, enchanting experience that really captures the soul and the imagination of the one swimming and also the one observing. So relax into it and let it inspire you and inspire others!
3. What does a mermaid experience with you look like?
Not only do I love to see students grow in their training and see how their diving abilities evolve, but I instruct them in a safe manner and focus on safety. The PADI Mermaid course is also very empowering. I always tell my students that becoming a mermaid is really just being yourself in your most powerful form. I love to see the empowerment within the groups and the support that develops during a group lesson. This is why we call ourselves mer-sisters because mermaids are one species, one family, one school of fish! So I make sure everyone has a splash and leaves with great connections from under the sea! Ocean conservation is a huge part of my efforts as a teacher as well and to let my students know that by representing mermaids, as divers, it is important to give great care to our oceans and inspire others with a message of conservation.
4. Why do you think now is the perfect time to live out your mermaid dreams?
We are living such wonderful times of acceptance, empowerment, and opportunity. Shell-yeah! These are times when everything is really possible, including becoming a PADI Mermaid! Five years ago when I started performing as a mermaid, things were a bit different, and not as open as they are now! It took a ton of interviews, TV appearances, and articles to spread the word about mermaiding and I would like to think my work has inspired many into becoming mermaids. Now you can do it safely and under the most prestigious diving organization in the world! It is such a gift and the best time to live out your mermaid dreams! It is indeed the most mer-fect time to try something new, something out of the box, an experience that can bring so much magic to you and others and also see the ocean from a different perspective. Becoming a PADI Mermaid is the most rewarding experience anyone can have at any age!
Zandile Ndhlovu | Cape Town, South Africa
1. What does being a PADI Mermaid mean to you? And how does this support your own Black Mermaid goals?
It is an opportunity to bridge worlds in all the ways we exist as humans, it is in the everyday reality, but also in how we play. I absolutely love being in the water and telling stories both as a Freediving instructor, but also in the play of the mythical and magical, it is an opportunity to bring in people from all worlds to see how we can collectively be a powerful voice for our oceans, and ultimately, protect these oceans together, in a way that is united but also diverse – looking like all of us.
The goals for the Black Mermaid brand include expanding narratives around water and creating the needed representation in water spaces, in fiction and non-fiction. This work and partnership with PADI, will further create the needed representation, when we talk of the mythical, but also, have an opportunity to invite people into this ocean world… the stories I grew up with spoke of how we shouldn’t be there, as Black people, and I always wonder how we tell and hold the sanctity of these stories, while we invite people in, particularly people from underrepresented communities.
2. What role do you think mermaids play with ocean conservation? I think we all access the ocean differently, some of us dive, some of us enjoy beach days, some of us love the fantasy world and some of us hold deep beliefs of otherworldly creatures and this is not necessarily in fantasy, and so mermaids expand how we think we exist as humanity, it is to hold the possibility of saving ourselves by seeing human-like forms exist underwater. I think it’s an opportunity to play while we expand, as adults, as kids as humans experiencing this life, and realizing that our lives depend on the health of our oceans, in whichever way we consume the ocean.
3. Where are the best places to mermaid in South Africa? Or anywhere? Ooooh I love this question, to mermaid, I picture Marico Oog, a beautiful fresh water lake with crystal clear waters and reeds that scream of the mythical, and of-course here in Cape Town, and our beautiful Kelp forests that sew in a new level of magical existences!
4. Why do you think now is the perfect time to live out your mermaid dreams? Because I have become free in the way that matters most, living and enjoying being present… and this freedom is best expressed in the water, and of course, I love to play and what a beautiful way to explore all the worlds that could be!
Laura Hudson | Cozumel, Mexico
1. What inspired you to become a PADI Mermaid? My Mermaid journey has been……a whirlwind for sure! I am FINcredibly blessed to have been making dreams come true for so many watching the Aquarium shows I’ve performed in, at Meet and Greets or at parties I’ve hosted, and to all those wide-eyed joyful children at festivals. My Freediving journey that has very much been an integral part of it all has been anything but ordinary, with a natural breath-hold ability and smashing each level thrown at me, I’ve inspired so many with what’s been achieved in a short time. To become a PADI Mermaid and inspire so many others to follow their dreams, try something new, find a passion, or see what they can truly achieve is why I wanted to start teaching, no matter what age you are. The PADI community is VAST and global, and as a Mermaid, it’s always my mission to help do the best I can to raise awareness of our dying oceans, and campaign for pollution-free oceans. I’ve already been able to do this with my Miss Mermaid UK, and Miss Ocean World UK and Europe pageant titles, and alongside PADI, I know I can help push it further
2. What are your tips to those who want to also become PADI mermaids? DO IT! What are you waiting for? Follow your dreams, believe in yourself and don’t let someone put you down for what YOU want to do. You’d be surprised at what you can achieve and I know you will fall in love with it. It’s such a wholesome and safe place to be within a fabulous community supporting each other
3. What does a mermaid experience with you look like? Fun, fun and dare I say, MORE FUN?! You’ll have a WHALE of a time! I will always take my time to support and inspire every single person, no matter what your ability or experience. You are all there to improve, learn and be inspired. Tricks are my forte, having spent so much time in Aquariums performing at shows, this is my favourite part of any time I have in the water. So let’s dive in and have a mermazing time �
4. Why do you think now is the perfect time to live out your mermaid dreams? It’s the perfect escape. We have all had a really hard few years with so little adventure, so it’s time to make up for it. The community is growing stronger every day, and with a wealth of knowledge between everyone, you’ll always find an answer to something. Live out your wildest dreams, discover your true potential, unlock your magic.
Adam Sellars | Queensland, Australia
1. What inspired you to become a PADI Mermaid?
I have a daughter and a huge Freediving community full of Women Freedivers. There is nothing better than seeing Women supporting women through being playful in the water and not taking themselves too seriously and just for a moment escaping the often busy anxious world above the surface.
2. What are your tips to those who want to also become PADI Mermaids?
Find a PADI Mermaid instructor, be prepared for fun but to also learn an amazing life skill with the basis behind some of the techniques being Freediving which teaches us to be present all whilst being on one breath. Then READY, SET, GO…get glamorous.
3. What does a mermaid experience with you look like?
Being a male and not growing up wanting to be a mermaid but more Aquaman, my contribution to the PADI mermaid program being an Instructor Trainer is to create instructors so that they spread the joy. My own company The Pressure Project is about promoting mental health and mental strength so I encourage people on my instructor courses to have a conversation about Mental Health, looking after our environment and obviously how you can promote this through your captive Mermaid audience.
4. Why do you think now is the perfect time to live out your mermaid dreams?
In Australia, we have been conditioned to be a very future thinking society. This coupled with COVID has meant a surge in Mental health issues mainly Anxiety. This program has the ability to take people away to a world where all of the surface tension no longer matters where connecting with breath, community and the Ocean forms a watery hug :).
Laura Hudson | United Kingdom
Mermaid at SEA LIFE Blackpool Picture: Jason Lock Further info: Rebecca Parr Digital Marketing & PR Executive (Blackpool Cluster) Office: 01253 629236 Mobile: 07557780591 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Merlin Entertainments (Blackpool) Ltd | The Blackpool Tower | The Promenade |Blackpool |FY1 4BJ Full credit always required as stated in T&C’s. PR and Press release use only, no further reproduction without prior permission. Picture © Jason Lock Photography +44 (0) 7889 152747 +44 (0) 161 431 4012 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.jasonlock.co.uk
1. What inspired you to become a PADI Mermaid?
My Mermaid journey has been……a whirlwind for sure! I am FINcredibly blessed to have been making dreams come true for so many watching the Aquarium shows I’ve performed in, at Meet and Greets or at parties i’ve hosted, and to all those wide eyed joyful children at festivals. My Freediving journey that has very much been an integral part of it all has been anything but ordinary, with a natural breathhold ability and smashing each level thrown at me, i’ve inspired so many with what’s been achieved in a short time. To become a PADI Mermaid and inspire so many others to follow their dreams, try something new, find a passion, or see what they can truly achieve is why I wanted to start teaching, no matter what age you are. The PADI community is VAST and gloabl, and as a Mermaid, it’s always my mission to help do the best I can to raise awareness of our dying oceans, and campaign for pollution free oceans. I’ve already been able to do this with my Miss Mermaid UK, and Miss Ocean World UK and Europe pageant titles, and alongside PADI, I know I can help push it further.
2. What are your tips to those who want to also become PADI Mermaids?
DO IT! What are you waiting for? Follow your dreams, believe in yourself and don’t let someone put you down for what YOU want to do. You’d be surprised at what you can achieve and i know you will fall in love with it. It’s such a wholesome and safe place to be within a fabulous community supporting each other
3. What does a mermaid experience with you look like? Fun, fun and dare I say, MORE FUN?! You’ll have a WHALE of a time! I will always take my time to support and inspire every single person, no matter what your ability or experience. You are all there to improve, learn and be inspired. Tricks are my forte, having spent so much time in Aquariums performing at shows, this is my favourite part of any time I have in the water. So let’s dive in and have a mermazing time �
4. Why do you think now is the perfect time to live out your mermaid dreams?
It’s the perfect escape. We have all had a really hard few years with so little adventure, so it’s time to make up for it. The community is growing stronger every day, and with a wealth of knowledge between everyone, you’ll always find an answer to something. Live out your wildest dreams, discover your true potential, unlock your magic.
Mermaid Echo | Wisconsin, USA
1. What inspired you to become a PADI Mermaid?
The PADI Mermaid Program came into my life in a really serendipitous way! I launched my business in 2016, and we rolled out Wisconsin’s first Mermaid Scholar School in 2017. Around that same time I was doing some networking in my community and stopped by the local dive shop to say hello. I gave Terry Nooner, the owner of Saint Croix Scuba, one of my first professional underwater photos. He was so kind, and offered to hang it in the shop with his other underwater photography. Looking back at the photo now, I certainly have come a long way! A few years later I got a call from Terry out of the blue. He said our PADI rep mentioned the new mermaid program, and Terry remembered my work from the photo I’d given him 4 years prior. He said he had kept the photo on his desk the whole time! Over the years my experience as a mermaid grew exponentially, and when Terry asked me to become the Midwest’s first PADI Mermaid Instructor I knew I was ready to take the leap and grow my mermaid skills even further through the PADI program. While training to become an instructor I was inspired by PADI’s focus on safety and responsibility. As a mermaid educator of 6 years, I really valued the way PADI put an emphasis on understanding the limits and expectations of tail use for kids and adults. I am also inspired by other PADI Mermaid Instructors and the ever-growing dedication to our industry, artform and sport. I am honored to be working alongside some of the world’s most talented educators and performers thanks to PADI.
2. What are your tips to those who want to also become PADI mermaids?
If you are considering becoming a PADI mermaid and you haven’t started your mermaid journey yet, my biggest tip is to trust the process! PADI is a global leader in underwater instruction, so just by choosing PADI, you’re already well on your way to success. Your instructors will lead you through everything you need to know step by step, and it’s okay to be nervous. As a mentor once said to me, nerves mean you care – celebrate them, and trust that your path is a solid one. If you’ve been around the mermaid community for a while and you’re looking into a PADI certification, my tip would be to stay open to new techniques and ways of learning. When I started my PADI mermaid journey I had already been mermaiding for almost a decade, but the program has taught me so many new ways of thinking about skills and techniques. My skill set has rapidly expanded in ways I never knew it could from the PADI Mermaid Program. I know it can do that for you too if you are open to discovering new ways of analyzing and practicing your artform. Even as a seasoned pro, you can always learn something new!
3. What does a mermaid experience with you look like?
A mermaid experience with me is unique. As a professional in Wisconsin, carving out my spot in the performance scene was difficult because no one in my area knew what mermaiding was when I started. This meant I had to create many of my own opportunities by hosting info meetings, pitch sessions, and hours and hours of phone calls. This allowed me to really get to know the ins and outs of gigging, performing, modeling, styling, and diving. In a place where mermaiding is less popular, I’ve had to learn to become a jack-of-all-trades, and have been lucky enough to try a bit of everything that the mermaid world offers. So, if you’re interested in booking agents as a model, I can help you with that. If you’re interested in working libraries, I can help you with that. If your dream is to become an aquarium performer, I can help you with that. Like PADI says, you become certified in conditions as difficult or less difficult than the conditions you practiced in. This applies to more than just surf and water quality. When you are a mermaid from rural Wisconsin, the road forward is difficult, but that also means I can help my clients with challenging gigs, complex questions, and unique opportunities.
4. Why do you think now is the perfect time to live out your mermaid dreams?
The mermaid world has never been more accessible or prevalent. I remember when I first started there were no tutorials online for how to put on a mermaid tail, we all had to kind of guess and figure it out. The construction of tails was a common hot topic as designers and makers were still figuring out the best fluke shapes, foot pocket engineering and materials to use. Now it’s common knowledge that tails are most often silicone, fabric or hybrid. While I still meet people in Wisconsin who have never heard of mermaiding, there are now pockets of the world where it is common and well known. I’ve watched the industry explode in the last 10 years, and the opportunities are truly becoming endless. Now, global leaders like PADI are supporting the mermaid world, and the sky is truly becoming the limit. I like to tell my students, there has never been a more relevant time to be a mermaid. We are living in the mermaid renaissance and how cool is it that right now, in our lifetimes, we get to be the pioneers in how this industry will unfold. So, if you’re at all interested in chasing your mermaid dreams, now is the time to jump in – the water’s fine!
Jingxin Yue | Sabah Semporna, Malaysia
1. What inspired you to become a PADI Mermaid?
I am PADI Scuba Diving Instructor (IDC Staff Instructor). I have been teaching scuba diving all the time. During this process, plenty of students are interested in freediving. However, most of the students choose to give up because of the risk and difficulty. The good thing is, PADI Mermaid Programs have given more people the opportunity to achieve their dreams to become mermaid.
My husband and I are honored to become the first PADI Mermaid Instructor and Trainer in Malaysia to provide PADI Mermaid Program In our region. While fully enjoying the fun of mermaiding, we also want to help others to achieve their mermaid dreams together.
2. What are your tips to those who want to also become PADI Mermaids?
Many people are curious but hesitant about this course because of their stature, gender, and even age. In fact, the youngest of my students is 10 years old, the oldest is over 50 years old, and even they are male. Mermaid is a more appreciative and fitness sport. Regardless of gender and body size, they are all unique when swimming. Just like [Tai-Chi combination of hardness with softness]. Mermaiding is not the patent of handsome and beauty， just like there are various species of fish on earth. Everyone has the right to choose their dreams, and the pursuit of dreams will be respected.
My own personal experience has successfully lost weight from 65kg to 50kg through mermaid swimming and fitness. Dolphin kick it can fully move the waist and hips of your body. Combined with breathing techniques to fully activate people’s cardiopulmonary functions. Other than that, during teaching Mermaid course, I not only teach students the knowledge in books, but also additional Yoga and Pilates to strengthen their core training and provide my students more health and fitness advice.. “Do people in the gym laugh at you because you’re fat? It’s obvious that everyone has the same purpose, right?” So when you step out of your first step, it will change your living to get a better and healthy lifestyle.
4. Why do you think now is the perfect time to live out your mermaid dreams?
Sabah Semporna is a place with a heavenly natural environment. Clear Tiffany’s Blue sea water and the fantastic island is worthy of the name. The 2 years epidemic has also allowed the sea here to recuperate because of the cessation of tourism. The water is clearer and the marine life is more abundant. Our PADI Advanced Mermaid course and even Mermaid Dive are arranged in such a marine environment. The beauty of nature allows students to truly experience joy and excitement. By telling the story and introducing the underwater world, the students’ awareness and love of ocean protection are sublimated. When you swim among corals and fish, you are transformed into a mermaid. The mermaid will eventually return to the sea. Feel the actual freedom.
Whether wearing a fishtail to become a mermaid or taking off a fishtail to transform back to a human, after learning the mermaid course, everyone will be aware of how to protect the marine environment and marine life. Because we all want to swim, take pictures and survive in a better aquatic environment in the future.
If a sport can make you healthy, live with sunshine, discover your potential, see the greatness of the ocean, and live with marine life, why not choose it?
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