The Convention is going digital for 2020
FLEDGLING Fish - BEGINNER Mermaid Workshop
An Introduction to the Mermaid World
Have you ever wanted to dip your fins into the exciting world of swimming in a mermaid tail? Now is your chance! Join instructor Rachel Smith as she teaches an introductory class on tail swimming, safety and the basics of professional and recreational mermaiding. The class will feature 30 min of lecture/dry work, and 60 min of in water work.
Workshop FAQ
- Fledgling Fish Workshop will take place on July 10th, 2020 from 11 AM - 12:30 PM. This workshop is ONE DAY ONLY
- Location: Rusch Park Pool Dive Well at 7801 Auburn Blvd, Citrus Heights, CA 95610
- Students must be able to safely tread water without holding the side for aprox 10-15 min
- Students must bring their own tails and/or monofins
- Students may bring their own underwater cameras for photos or video
- Students will receive a handouts and written materials relating to the class
Workshop FAQ
- Ticket does not include Main Entry to Convention
- No glitter of any kind, oil based lube or glass allowed in pool area
- Check in time is 15 minutes before your Workshop. You must wear your session wristbands while in pool area. You must vacate the pool area 15 minutes after your workshop has wrapped. Our helpful staff will be monitoring wristbands closely; please help us make this a fun and fair event for all!
- Bathrooms to change are on site, as well as food vendors
Workshop Coach - Rachel Smith
Mermaid Rachel is one half of the mother/daughter team of Mermaid and Mom. She has been the Head Mermaid at the Dive Bar in downtown Sacramento since their opening year in 2011. She trains, schedules, hires and performs with Dive Bar's team of mermaids and mermen who swim nightly in a 40ft saltwater aquarium.
Since becoming a professional aquatic entertainer, Mermaid Rachel has traveled through the United States, and internationally, showcasing her skills at corporate events, as an underwater movement and modeling coach, giving lectures at mermaid conventions, and being a featured performer in documentaries and films. Throughout California, she has performed at countless parties and events for children and adults, both on land and in water. In 2019, Mermaid Rachel and her business partner Mermaid Ashley produced, planned and executed the first ever Mermaid Convention in California - The California Mermaid Convention!
Advanced Underwater Mermaid Workshop
The Course for Professional Mermaids Looking to Expand their Portfolios
Improve your mer skills in the magical underwater world! Iara Mandyn will teach you techniques and practices for better underwater modeling, with an emphasis on safety, posing and movement for the intermediate to experienced mermaid.
This two day workshop will begin out of the water with warm-up, stretching, and safety, then progress to pool training. We’ll work on comfort underwater, safe breathing, and buoyancy control, while helping you find your best posing rhythm and shine for the camera!
On day two we’ll build on skills from the first session, with personalized coaching during your very own photo shoot with internationally acclaimed photographer, Brett Stanley!
Workshop FAQ
- The Advanced Mermaid Workshop will take place on July 10th, 2020 from 8 AM - 11 AM AND July 11th, 2020 from 8 AM - 12 PM
- Location: Rusch Park Pool Dive Well at 7801 Auburn Blvd, Citrus Heights, CA 95610
- Students must be able to safely tread water without holding the side for aprox 10-15 min
- Students must bring their own tails and/or monofins (fabric tails will be available for purchase on Saturday)
- Students will receive two retouched photographs from their session (more available through purchase from photographer)
- Students will also be receiving mermaid bags with samples of Stream2Sea eco friendly products
Ticket FAQ
- Ticket does not include Main Entry to Convention
- No glitter of any kind, oil based lube or glass allowed in pool area
- Check in time is 15 minutes before your Workshop. You must wear your session wristbands while in pool area. You must vacate the pool area 15 minutes after your workshop has wrapped. Our helpful staff will be monitoring wristbands closely; please help us make this a fun and fair event for all!
- Bathrooms to change are on site, as well as food vendors
Workshop Coach - Iara Mandyn
Iara Mandyn is an award-winning mermaid model, performer, and dancer who specializes in underwater work. She believes that modeling underwater is liberating in an entirely unique way, and loves helping people bring out their individual personalities for the camera.
She is a certified freediving instructor who has been in the industry for over 10 years, three of which she spent working at the SF Bay Area’s only dedicated underwater shooting studio as head promotional model, choreographer, and underwater talent coach. She uses this experience to build student's confidence in the water, with an emphasis on creative expression and safe practices.
Her aquatic performances and videos have been shown world-wide, including pieces in Montreal’s Cité Mémoire, the Berlin Festival of Lights, Italy’s Opera Stage, and Migration’s dance video tour in Wales.
For more info on Iara, visit her website
Workshop Photographer - Brett Stanley
Brett Stanley has been working with water for over 10 years, and is still finding creative ways to create images that have a life of their own. Brett loves being under the water and adding photography to that is just a bonus. His natural calm nature in the water really helps his clients to feel comfortable, which is the first aim of any underwater shoot.
Whilst based in Los Angeles, USA, the Australian born photographer travels frequently and relishes the chance to work with new people and new locations all over the world. Always looking to innovate, Brett has built custom equipment and perfected his techniques to make every photoshoot the best it can be.
Brett’s work has been published worldwide and his landmark series Underwater Pole Dance garnered massive attention internationally and was featured in magazines, newspapers, and on TV all over the globe. As an award winning underwater photographer, you’ll always be in good hands.
You can find more of Brett's work here