World, Weird, Odd & Just Plain Fun

For anyone who spent their childhood dreaming of  perfecting that wiggly mermaid stroke while holding your breath underwater – you may be excited to learn that there’s a school in France dedicated to the art of being a mermaid.

 

 

Julia Sardella, a dancer and pilates teacher, was inspired to set up the school after spending four years working in a Las Vegas show that combined gymnastics and water ballet.

 

The Marseille school is a place for mermaid enthusiasts to learn how to channel their inner Ariel. When the school started last year, more than 500 students booked in to learn how to be ‘under the sea.’

 

 

 

Mermaid students slip into a ‘monofin’ – a leggings-like contraption complete with a tail – and practice swimming like a mermaid, as well as breathing underwater.

 

 

Aside from the obvious joy that comes from fulfilling a childhood dream, taking part in mermaid classes is actually a good workout. “It’s great for your abdominals,” Sardella explains. “One of the first things I teach is a mermaid’s movements, how it feels to swim with a tail.”

 

Being a mermaid can also lead to a full-time career, as mermaids are in demand to entertain visitors at aquariums and resorts. In the US, an estimated 1000 professional mermaids earn a living from their underwater trade. Mermaids can also make money from children’s birthday party appearances and passing on their craft to the next generation.

 

Happy birthday mermaid Célia??? ?@celia_pignol #frenchmermaid #sirenesbyperleevents #PerleEvents

A photo posted by Julia Sardella (@julia_sardella) on Sep 10, 2015 at 3:32am PDT

 

Professional mermaids are able to hold their breath for up to three minutes, while smiling and looking amazing. Professional mermaid tails can go for as much as US$3500 and weigh up to 20 kg.

 

France isn’t the only country where you can learn to be a mermaid. Europe’s first mermaid school, the Sirenas Mediterranean Academy was founded in Tarragona, Spain in 2014.

 

In California, you can attend the LA Mermaid School and be taught by professional ‘finstructors’ that have played mermaids on film, or in shows.

 

#TBT! Living out my childhood dreams as a #merman all thanks to #LAMermaidSchool! ???

A photo posted by Jake DuPree (@jakedupree) on Jul 16, 2015 at 8:49am PDT

 

There is even a Merfest convention in North Carolina each year.