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!

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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.

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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.

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CAN BOYS / MEN COME?

Absolutely! We actively welcome all genders, races, etc. and are LGBTQ friendly.

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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.

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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.

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If you have a younger swimmer or need extra attention and service please enroll in a private lesson or class instead.

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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 our private rental pool. We provide directions at the time of booking.

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DOES A REAL PROFESSIONAL MERMAID TEACH THE CLASS?

Yes, one of our real professional mermaids does teach your class.

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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. We do NOT provide bra tops, swim suits, or other accessories of any kind unless you rent them in advance separately from us.

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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.

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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.

• Recommended monofins: Mermaid Linden by Body Glove, Mahina, Finis Trainer or Finis Shooter

• Recommended fabric tail brands: FinFun (NOT "Elite"), Mermaid Kat, Mertailor (Guppy line), Suntails, Finfolk (Discovery line, NOT "Signature"), CapeCali

• Recommended silicone tail brands: Mernation, Merbella, Mertailor​

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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! ​

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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.​

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DO I NEED TO BE ABLE TO SWIM  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. 

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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.

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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.

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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:

1. 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.

2. 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.).

3. 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).

4. Be comfortable placing entire body (including face/head) underwater and swimming below the water's surface.

5. 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.

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CAN I STOP BY / REGISTER ON SITE?

Registrations for LA Mermaid School classes are only done through pre-registration. 

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IS THE POOL HEATED?

Yes. You are welcome to wear a lightweight wetsuit to wear if you get cold easily.

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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.

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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!​

 

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.

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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.

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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.

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Yes, we DO offer plus sizes for individuals up to 250 pounds and up to approximately 6'4" tall.

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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.