Our 2025 Convention is May 16th - 18th
Underwater Workshop with Medusirena
May 18th and 19th, 2024
This two-day workshop with multi-talented Marina is the chance of a lifetime! Whether you are an professional mermaid, an aspiring pro, or a mermaid enthusiast, the depth (see what we did there) of knowledge at your fin tips from this accomplished mermaid is unfathomable.
Day one will focus on swim technique, buoyancy control, tips and tricks. Day two will feature one on one coaching with Medusirena and Brett Stanley Photography. You will receive one edited image as part of your workshop package.
- This Workshop is formulated for intermediate and advanced mermaid and swimmers
- This class is for students 18+
- Class is limited space, so book quickly!
Workshop FAQ
- This is a two day workshop that takes place on Saturday, May 18th from 10:30 AM - 1 PM and Sunday May 19th from 10 AM - 12:30 PM
- Ticket includes one edited image from Brett Stanley Photography
- Ticket includes Main Entry to the California Mermaid Convention
- Students must be able to safely tread water without holding the side for approx. 10-15 min
- Students must bring their own tails and/or monofins
- This Workshop is formulated for intermediate and advanced mermaid and swimmers
- This class is for students 18+
- Class is limited space, so book quickly!
Workshop Coach
Medusirena - Marina the Fire Eating Mermaid
Medusirena's talents range from Subaquatic swim shows to percussive performances by way of Taiko Drums, Tiki styled variety acts, and even fire acts! This gal says she needs her head examined!
A trailblazer in the field of "Mermaid Performances", she's most famous for her nearly 16 years as the official Mermaid at The Wreck Bar, creating its numerous swim shows both with tails and with dance ensembles. She also teaches fitness and swim workshops to help enhance aquatic skills; making them better performers and artist in their own style.
MeduSirena is also well recognized by the Tiki Community, working as an emcee and a dancer. She's been a Poly Pop entertainment fixture at tiki events all throughout the United States. She's also a founding member of Japanese drumming/ Taiko Troupe 'Ronin Taiko', along with her husband Roy Anderson, and their son, Raiden- creating a unique percussive family business.
Support Medusirena on her Patreon!
PADI mermaid workshop with Mermaid Camille
May 18th and 19th, 2024
The PADI Mermaid program is an excellent certification for mermaids of all experience levels. Whether establishing a baseline of safety, looking to hone your basic skills and get industry tips, or just show potential locations and employers that you're certified, this class has something for everyone! Mermaid Camille (KelpieDreams) is looking forward to working with you. :)
Course includes:
-Four hours of poolside and in water learning each day of con
-Elearning (online homework) which must be completed prior to class dates.
-Students will learn or fine tune a wide array of mermaid tricks and maneuvers, get an intro to freediving and improving their breath hold, and will get tips and tricks about performance, modeling, environmental activism, and industry work.
-Students who successfully complete the class will receive the PADI Mermaid certification
-A complimentary group photo with Tahoe Banshees
STUDENTS MUST BRING:
-Monofin with compatible fabric tail
-MASK and snorkel (NO GOGGLES)
-Bifins (regular swim fins)
Not required but recommended:
-Weight belt and weights (can be rented for an additional charge)
-Thermal gear (such as rashguard or thin wetsuit)
-Antifog for your mask (can be purchased from a local dive shop such as Fisheye Scuba)
-please bring towels, sunscreen, and waterP
Workshop FAQ
-This workshop takes place May 18th and 19th, 2024
-This workshop runs from 10:30 AM -2:30 PM May 18th, and 10 AM - 2 PM May 19th
-This workshop includes one complementary group photo for all students
-This workshop is available to students ages 15+
-This workshop includes a Main Entry Ticket to both days of the con
Workshop Coach - Mermaid Camille
Mermaid Camille (aka KelpieDreams or Scylla the siren) is a costume artist, kelp restoration diver, professional mermaid, PADI Mermaid instructor, and professional diver local to the Sacramento area. She is passionate about helping others realize what they're capable of, especially when it comes to aquatics and environmental activism. She is also part of the world-famous underwater team at Dive Bar in downtown Sacramento.
Whether it's during her kelp forest lecture, PADI mermaid course, walking in the Launch Party Fashion Show, or stopping by her spooky vendor booth, Camille is looking forward to working with you this MerCon!
PADI Freediving workshop
May 18th, 2024
Basic Freediver
The PADI Basic Freediver course is a great first step for developing solid freediving skills and the best foundation for any merfolk looking to advance their underwater game. You will learn basic freediving principles and focus on practicing breath hold techniques in a confined water site such as statics, dynamics, and constant no fins.
The course consists of a self-guided eLearning, mandatory online Knowledge Review via Zoom (Wednesday, May 15th at 5-7pm PST), and one in-person pool session (Saturday, May 18th at the con). No prior experience with snorkeling, skin diving or freediving is required!
-Prerequirements: Must be at least 12 years old and can swim 200m without swim equipment or 300m with a snorkel, mask, and fins.
-Medical and Liability waiver forms are required to be signed and submitted before class. A parent/guardian must sign for those under 18 years old
-Using gear designed specifically for freediving is best, however, in this course, you may be able to use snorkeling equipment you already own
-Please bring: bifins, mask and j-snorkel, weights (~6lbs) and a weight belt
-Let us know if you need any equipment, we provide rentals if given notice ahead of time
-eLearning is included and must be completed before the Knowledge Review
-A 90 second breath hold and 25m dynamic swim is required to earn the Basic Freediver certification , which you will have one year to achieve once you take the course!
-The cost of eLearning cannot be refunded
Workshop FAQ
- This class takes place on Saturday, May 18th 2024
- 1 PM to 3 PM
- $325 base price including elearning
- Prices for rental gear: $15 mask, $10 snorkel, $40 bifins, $20 weights and weight belts, or $80 for all
- Ages 12+
-Ticket sales will close on May 13th to accommodate elearning
Workshop Coach - Sura; The Surreal Sirena
Sura is based in sunny San Diego, California where she teaches freediving year round amongst the kelp and sea lions in the Pacific Ocean. She has an extensive freediving background, instructing people from all walks of life about the science behind apnea and how our bodies adapt to depth. At the same time, she began mermaiding and performed for various events including the Escondido Renaissance Faire and Swim Brayv where she advocates for water conservation and swim safety.
She currently teaches both mermaiding and freediving, taking the best of both worlds and merging the two to educate all of her students about safety, proper technique, mindfulness, but most importantly to believe in one’s own amazing capabilities!
FLEDGLING Fish - BEGINNER Mermaid Workshop
May 19th, 2024
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; Head Mermaid at the Dive Bar in Sacramento, as she gives you her trade secretes 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
This workshop is ONE DAY ONLY
- Location: Hagan Community Center Pool: Workshop Lane
- Ages 15+
- 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
-This class is $60 per student
-You must have a Main Entry Ticket to take this Workshop
-Sunday May 19th, 2024
-12:30 PM to 2 PM
-Participants must bring their own monofins and tails to class (Tail not required, monofin required)
-Intermediate and Advanced Mermaids welcome! Never too late to hone your skills
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!