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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT DO YOU DO IN A PUBLIC MERMAID / MERMAN CLASS?
We have a silly, fun, great time in the water! We start with check in and stretching as a group before moving in to swim tests. After the class ability is seen from the lap swim tests the Finstructor leads the mermaid class in untailed drills and skill practice before donning tails, repeating the drills and skills in the tails while practicing swimming laps, playing a group mermaid game, and having a chance for free swim / photos in tail (please note we do NOT provide photography, you should bring your own camera). Once free swim is over it's time to shower off, dry off, and go on to your next adventure!
WHAT TYPES OF MERMAID TAILS / COSTUMES ARE USED?
We provide FinFun brand spandex fabric mermaid tail rentals. These tails are lightweight and easy for beginning students to learn in. We do NOT provide swimsuits, bra tops, or accessories. The fabric mermaid tails are approximately 4.5 pounds in weight and are printed spandex fabric over a plastic and neoprene monofin.
DO I NEED ANY PREVIOUS MERMAID OR MERMAN EXPERIENCE?
No, our classes are geared for beginning merpeople with no prior fin experience. You DO need to be a strong swimmer though, please see below.
CAN BOYS / MEN COME?
Absolutely! We actively welcome all genders, races, etc. and are LGBTQ friendly.
HOW OLD DO YOU NEED TO BE TO ATTEND A PUBLIC / COMMUNITY CLASS?
Age 8 or older unless otherwise mentioned. Our public classes are predominately attended by adults with the average age of 25-40 years old. Our students come from all countries, races, genders, and backgrounds.
WARNING TO PARENTS: DO NOT ENROLL ANY CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 8 OR WHO CANNOT DO A 50M FREESTYLE WITHOUT STOPPING IN A PUBLIC CLASS. THEY ARE PHYSICALLY DEMANDING.
If you have a younger swimmer or need extra attention and service please enroll in a private lesson or class instead.
WHERE DO PUBLIC MERMAID SCHOOL CLASSES TAKE PLACE?
Mermaid School classes are held conveniently on the border of Ventura County and Los Angeles County, California in Simi Valley, CA at the Rancho Simi Community Pool, 1765 Royal Ave, Simi Valley, CA 93065 USA. There is free parking next to the venue. Once you are parked walk down the concrete path along the building to the chain link fence on the long side of the pool. Tug hard on the chain link gate door with the "keep closed" sign on it to enter. The door is heavy so tug hard.
Private classes, parties, or workshops are either held at a private pool in Simi Valley or are delivered to the student's own pool in Ventura County or North West Los Angeles County. Each class specifies its location.
DOES A REAL PROFESSIONAL MERMAID TEACH THE CLASS?
Yes, one of our real professional mermaids does teach your class from the pool deck and not in our LA Mermaid School Finstructor uniform. They do not enter the water or wear a mermaid tail costume as they need to have a good sight line on swimmers and be able to quickly move for safety.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
Each participant needs to bring sandals, goggles, a secure swim suit that will stay on their body while swimming, 2 towels, warm clothes to change in to, and sunblock. A FinFun spandex fabric mermaid tail rental is included in your registration price. We do NOT provide bra tops, swim suits, or other accessories of any kind unless you rent them in advance separately from us.
One piece swim suits are highly recommended for this class as it involves a lot of swimming including laps, drills, and skills exercises for an hour. If you choose to wear a bikini please pack a back up swim suit or cover up just in case it breaks in class. Any students whose personal wardrobe breaks who did not come prepared with a backup swimsuit will not be rescheduled or refunded for the class.
CAN I BRING MY OWN MERMAID / MERMAN TAIL?
Yes, although use of any personal owned mermaid tails are subject to the approval of the instructor. The following brands, in general, are typically safe to wear in a class. We are not responsible for you having trouble with any of the below listed suppliers or their products should you decide to purchase them instead of using one of our rental FinFun spandex tails.
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Recommended monofins: Mermaid Linden by Body Glove, Mahina, Finis
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Recommended fabric tail brands: FinFun, Mermaid Kat, Mertailor, Suntails
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Recommended silicone tail brands: Mernation, Merbella, Mertailor, FinFolk Productions
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Not Recommended brands: Anything you find on eBay or Amazon that is NOT one of those brands.
CAN I TAKE PHOTOS IN A PUBLIC CLASS? WHAT ABOUT PRIVACY?
Yes! Our mermaid training classes are highly photographed, most of our students will designate a guest on deck to take photos for them to capture their special day at mermaid school.
Please note that this is a PUBLIC class at a PUBLIC venue. If you are uncomfortable with the knowledge that it is probable that either a member of our staff, a member of the public, another student, or anyone else who happens to be at the pool when you are will take and share / post a photo / image / recording / name / other piece of information about you then please, do not sign up for this class and request a private lesson instead.
Additionally, you should know that your entry in to the facility property constitutes your consent to photography, filming and/or recording and to any use (including promotional endeavors / marketing / commercial / advertising), without compensation or additional approval / review, in any and all media throughout the universe in perpetuity, of your appearance, voice and name for any purpose whatsoever in connection with Sheroes Entertainment and/or LA Mermaid School.... AKA we will probably share a photo of you in class being amazing on a social media channel like Instagram or, if you tag us in a photo you post, we're likely to repost it. :) Again, if you are not comfortable with this then do not sign up for this class and request a private lesson instead.
WHAT IF IT RAINS?
Then you're in luck - you're already wet! In the random, unlikely, and off chance that California actually gets rain we still have class. We swim rain or shine. In the event of lightning we clear the pool and shelter inside for 20 minutes until the lifeguards give an ok to resume in the water and head back out to the pool. During the break we substitute in other land based training and content to fill the time that is normally only available in our private classes. We do NOT cancel mermaid school- ever. We just keep swimming and adapt to deliver a quality experience!
DO YOU STILL HAVE SPOTS AVAILABLE?
Yes we do if they are showing up on our website. Our website automatically removes training time and date options as they fill. If you are seeing a class on the option list then it has at least one space available.
CAN I REGISTER WITH MY FRIENDS?
Sure! As long as there are enough spots available for your group and all of you meet the swim criteria.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE IN A PUBLIC CLASS?
We limit classes to 1 Finstructor with a maximum of 15 students in public classes. Mermaid training parties and photo shoots vary and are listed on their enrollment pages.
DO I NEED TO BE ABLE TO SWIM TO ATTEND A PUBLIC MERMAID CLASS? WHAT ARE THE REQUIRED SWIM SKILLS?
YES. In-tail mermaid classes are for strong, confident swimmers only. Our swimmers are in the water and swimming for the bulk of the class.
There is a strict age 8+ limit on our public mermaid training classes. Most children in our classes come from swim team or have taken formal swimming lessons for several years. If your child took a few basic lessons "that one time" it is NOT the class for them.
Swim tests are done at the beginning of each LA Mermaid School lesson. Any person failing the swim test may be allowed to continue in the class but will NOT be allowed to put on a costume for their own safety, may not be allowed to participate in all activities or drills, and will be asked to leave without a refund if their presence is considered to be "taking away" time and/or staff attention from the class as a whole, e.g. lagging behind in exercises, being too slow of a swimmer, not being able to physically or mentally follow directions.
Please do not endanger your child - we are serious about the swim skills needed to do this class. Before enrolling you should ensure that the person(s) being enrolled can consistently do the following:
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Swim 50m (2 short course lengths of an Olympic style pool) without stopping, endangering self or others, complaining, or otherwise appearing to be drowning, confused, panicked, upset, or disoriented using proper front crawl or breath stroke swim technique within 5 minutes.
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Display independence, comfort, and confidence in the water (e.g. no hanging on to parents, wall, floaties, randomly going in to a fetal position and sinking to the bottom of the pool, hiding in a corner, etc.).
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Swim WITHOUT displaying "distressed swimmer" indicators per American Red Cross Standards (e.g. must be making deliberate forward progress in water, able to keep head above water for air when needed, not flail in the water).
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Be comfortable placing entire body (including face/head) underwater and swimming below the water's surface.
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Be able to safely retrieve a submerged object (such as a dive ring) from a depth of 5'.
If a person you wish to register is unable to complete these swim skills please invest in swim lessons BEFORE registering for one of our classes. Our classes DO NOT take the place (or need of) regular non-tailed swim instruction under a qualified American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) or swim coach.
CAN I STOP BY / REGISTER ON SITE?
Registrations for LA Mermaid School classes are only done through this website and pre-registrations are required based on class sizes.
IS THE POOL HEATED?
Yes. You are welcome to wear a lightweight wetsuit to wear if you get cold easily.
IS THERE A BATHROOM?
Yes. Please note that bathroom access can be limited when quarantine or social distancing restrictions are in effect. We recommend going to the bathroom before arriving.
MY CHILD IS A GREAT SWIMMER BUT THEY AREN'T 8 YET. WHY CAN'T THEY BE IN THE CLASS?
We look forward to seeing them after they turn 8. You can also always request a private mermaid lesson too - they are specifically designed for younger ages and are fin-tastic fun!
CAN MY FRIEND TAKE PHOTOS OF ME? CAN I TAKE PHOTOS OF MY CHILD?
Yes as long as it is for personal, non-commercial usage if you are in a public class. We just ask that you respect others and do not include them in the photo if they ask you not to and do not interfere with the flow of the class. If you are an influencer please book our social media influencer class instead so that you can have time to shoot content without disturbing others.
I'M A REPORTER / MEMBER OF THE PRESS. CAN I COME?
Yes, with pre-authorization. YOUR PRESS PASS FROM A NEWS AGENCY MUST BE WORN AND VISIBLE AT ALL TIMES.
I CAN'T MAKE IT AFTER ALL. CAN I GET A REFUND? / SOMETHING REALLY IMPORTANT CAME UP - CAN I RESCHEDULE?
No, our classes run rain, cold, or shine and are not refundable, are not "returnable," and may not be rescheduled for a different date or time. As a result all reservations for classes are "final sale." This policy includes excuses due to illness, family emergencies, poor time management, unplanned conflicts, lack of transportation, social engagements, not liking cloudy weather, being attacked by a hydra, etc.
ARE THERE ANY COSTUME SIZE & USAGE NOTES?
Costume and equipment usage is dependent on successful swim skill demonstration in class and size restrictions regardless of age. We offer both child and adult sizes for people 60 pounds or larger with adult shoe sizes 4-12 (only). If your child has a foot size smaller than a 4 then they unfortunately will not fit our tails and would need to purchase their own in advance and/or bring their own with them.
Yes, we DO offer plus sizes for individuals up to 250 pounds and up to approximately 6'4" tall.
Any person displaying signs of rashes, blisters, open wounds, chicken pox, or other skin conditions or reporting a recent history of any recent skin disease will not be allowed to use a LA Mermaid School owned costume and may not be allowed in the pool by park pool personnel.