Recognized Mermaid Programs

I am deeply honored and incredibly humbled to receive an award from PADI for Outstanding Contributions to Mermaiding.

When I first discovered mermaiding, I never imagined how profoundly it would change my life. What began as a passion grew into a calling one that has allowed me to inspire confidence, foster a love for the water, encourage ocean stewardship, and create a community where imagination and adventure come together.

This recognition is not mine alone. It belongs to every student who has trusted me to guide them on their own mermaid journey. Whether you took your very first swim in a tail, earned your certification, or simply rediscovered your sense of wonder beneath the water, you have made this program what it is today. Your enthusiasm, dedication, and belief in this community continue to inspire me every day.

 If you’ve ever wondered whether adding a mermaid program could make a real splash at your dive shop, meet Megan Blanchard—PADI Mermaid Instructor Trainer, Master Instructor, and the magical force behind the thriving mermaid community at Aggieland Scuba in College Station, Texas.

What started as a dive shop in 2014 has since evolved into a multifaceted aquatic center serving all ages and interests. And under Megan’s leadership, Aggieland Scuba’s mermaid program hasn’t just added sparkle to the business—it’s created a whole new revenue stream, client base, and community vibe.

From Dive Pro to Mermaid Mentor

Megan’s journey from recreational diver in 2015 to full-fledged instructor and mermaid mentor is rooted in passion and accessibility. In addition to being a seasoned dive pro, she’s a children’s book author and community educator, deeply committed to sharing the water with everyone—whether they dive with tanks or tails.

Age: 6

Duration: 1 hour 

The Discover Mermaid experience introduces introductory mermaid activities in confined water shallow enough in which to stand. It is designed as a flexible, informative, enjoyable, and controlled experience centered on letting you discover what it's like to mermaid dive.

To enroll in a Discover Mermaid experience, you must be at least six years old. You need to be in good physical health and comfortable in the water. No prior experience with snorkeling, skin diving or freediving is required.

Prerequisites: 

• 6 years old or older
• Clear medical form

Age: 6

Duration: 2 hours 

The PADI Basic Mermaid course combines learning supporting knowledge and principles with a confined water skill development session to introduce the fun of fundamental mermaid diving. The course covers mermaid diving's background and culture, primary safety considerations, equipment and basic water skills. Ability to swim at least 25m (82 feet) and float comfortably at the surface for at least 3 minutes. 1  day course- 2 hour confined sessions, all online independent e-learning to be completed prior to course. 

Prerequisites: 

• 6 years old or older 
• Ability to swim at least 25m/80ft without swim aids,
• Ability to float comfortably at the surface for at least 3 mins
• Clear medical form

 Age: 10

Duration: 4  hours 

The PADI Mermaid course includes knowledge development and at least two water skill sessions that develop more dynamic mermaid skills beyond Basic Mermaid™, including many skills that make mermaiding an underwater self-expressive art, separate from other types of diving. (Note that the PADI Mermaid course includes Basic Mermaid, so you can start with PADI Mermaid – there is no need to take Basic Mermaid separately.)  Ability to swim at least 50m (164 feet) and float comfortably on the surface for 5 minutes. 4 hour course, with online independent e-learning.  

Prerequisites: 

• 10 years old or older 
• Ability to swim at least 50m/160ft without swim aids,
• Ability to float comfortably at the surface for at least 5 mins
• Clear medical form

Age: 12

Duration: 2 Days 

Ready to spend the weekend immersed in Mermaid allure? Our Mermaid and Advanced Mermaid Bundle will take you through a wonderful world of learning the artistic form of mermaiding as well as diving into Advanced Mermaid diving techniques. This course includes independent online e-learning, confined water sessions, and open water sessions. 

Prerequisites: 

• 12 years old or older and have a PADI Mermaid certification (or a qualifying certification from another mermaid organization). 
• Ability to swim at least 100m/320ft without swim aids
• Ability to float comfortably at the surface for at least 10 mins
• Clear medical form

 Age: 12

Duration: 2 Days 

In the PADI Advanced Mermaid course, you'll build on your PADI Mermaid certification and apply it to the open water environment. You'll learn the basics of how the open water environment differs from a pool or confined water and be introduced to open water mermaiding techniques. You'll also learn about aquatic life – what to expect, how it can affect you, and how you avoid harm.

Prerequisites: 

• 12 years old or older and have a PADI Mermaid certification (or a qualifying certification from another mermaid organization). 
• Ability to swim at least 100m/320ft without swim aids
• Ability to float comfortably at the surface for at least 10 mins
• Clear medical form

Take 'Fins-on' action with us as we collect critical survey data about the debris that is in our waters. In this one day course you will learn about different types of debris, what you can safely clean up, as well as how to distinct if certain debris needs to be left. For this specialty course you must be at least a PADI Advanced Mermaid. If you are interested in this specialty and want to bundle with your Advanced Mermaid course we are happy to do so give us a call. 

The PADI Basic Mermaid Instructor certification is for PADI Advanced Mermaids who want to teach others Discover Mermaid and Basic Mermaid. The PADI Basic Mermaid Instructor course is for qualified individuals who are looking to teach the PADI Mermaid Program in their own pool, for a local aquatic center, or have a fun side job. 

Prerequisites: 

• 18 years old 
• PADI Advanced Mermaid or qualifying certification
• EFR Primary and Secondary care training in the last 24 months 
• current medical statement signed by a physician within the previous 12 months 

Timeline: 3-4 days (May add days if you are also obtaining prerequisite courses in junction with your Instructor Development Course. 

Course Includes:

• PADI Mermaid Instructor Application Fee
• Mermaid Instructor Manual 
• In-water instruction
• Classroom Instruction  
• Discounts for students in house 

Course Excludes: 

• Monofin & Tail skin
• Mask, Fins, Snorkel
• Open water site entry fees (vary upon time of year & location) 

Required Equipment: 

• Mask, snorkel, bi-fins 
• weight belt & weights 
• Mermaid monofin & skin
• Exposure protection (wetsuit depending on time of year)
• Nose clip (optional)

The PADI Mermaid Instructor certification is for PADI Advanced Mermaids who want to teach others Discover Mermaid, Basic Mermaid, Mermaid and Advanced Mermaid courses. The PADI Mermaid Instructor course is for qualified individuals who are looking to teach the PADI Mermaid Program at a dive center or start their own mermaid business. 

Prerequisites: 

• 18 years old 
• PADI Advanced Mermaid or qualifying certification
• EFR Primary and Secondary care training in the last 24 months 
• current medical statement signed by a physician within the previous 12 months 

Timeline: 4-5 days (May add days if you are also obtaining prerequisite courses in junction with your Instructor Development Course. 

Course Includes:

• PADI Mermaid Instructor Application Fee
• Mermaid Instructor Manual 
• In-water instruction
• Classroom Instruction  
• Discounts for students in house 

Course Excludes: 

• Monofin & Tail skin
• Mask, Fins, Snorkel
• Open water site entry fees (vary upon time of year & location) 

Required Equipment: 

• Mask, snorkel, bi-fins 
• weight belt & weights 
• Mermaid monofin & skin
• Exposure protection (wetsuit depending on time of year)
• Nose clip (optional)

 Ever wondered what it feels like to glide effortlessly underwater on a single breath? The PADI Discover Freediving experience is your introduction to the art of freediving—safe, simple, and unforgettable. Conducted in the controlled environment of a pool, this session lets you explore the basics of breath-hold diving under the guidance of a certified PADI Freediving Instructor. You’ll learn breathing and relaxation techniques, practice static and dynamic apnea, and discover the incredible calm and focus that come with diving on one breath. It’s your first step into a world of silence, stillness, and freedom—no tanks or tails required. 

The PADI Basic Freediver course is a subset of the PADI Freediver course. It's a great first step for developing solid freediving skills. You learn basic freediving principles and focus on practicing breathhold techniques in a pool or confined water site.

To enroll in a PADI Basic Freediver course you must be 12 years old or older. You need adequate swimming skills and need to be in good physical health. No prior experience with snorkeling, skin diving or freediving is required.

Younger than 12? 8 year olds and older can enroll in the PADI Skin Diver Course.

Freediving is about inward power, discipline and control. If you've always wanted to enter the underwater world quietly, on your own terms, staying as long as your breath allows, then freediving is for you. Taking the PADI Freediver course is your first step toward discovering why freediving is becoming a popular way to explore beneath the waves.

To enroll in a PADI Freediver course you must be at least 12 years old. You need adequate swimming skills and need to be in good physical health. No prior experience with snorkeling, skin diving or freediving is required.

• August 1st Discover Mermaid 
• August 1st-5th Mermaid Instructor Course
• August 15th Mermaid
•  August 22nd Mermaid
•  August 29th-30th Advanced Mermaid
•  September 5th Mermaid
•  September 12th Basic Mermaid 
• September 19th-20th Advanced Mermaid
•  September 26th Mermaid 
• October 3rd Basic Mermaid 
• October 10th Mermaid
•  October 17th-18th Advanced Mermaid
• November 6th-10 Mermaid Instructor Course
• November 14th Basic Mermaid
• November 21st Mermaid  

• August 15th Discover Freediver
• August 22nd Basic Freediver