Our 2026 Convention is May 15th - 17th
Underwater Workshop with Medusirena
May 16th and 17th, 2026
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 16th from 10:30 AM - 1 PM and Sunday May 17th from 10 AM - 12:30 PM
- Ticket includes one edited image from Brett Stanley Photography
- 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 20 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 15th and 16th, 2026
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 employers or dive boat operators that you're certified, this class has something for everyone! Mermaid Camille (KelpieDreams) is looking forward to working with you. :)
Course includes:
-Two days of learning (Friday afternoon and all day Saturday) with 6+ hours of pool time
-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.
STUDENTS MUST BRING:
-monofin with compatible fabric tail
-MASK and snorkel (NO GOGGLES)
-bifins (regular swim fins)
-weight belt and weights in small increments (can be rented for an additional charge, if you don't wish to buy your own)
Not required but recommended:
-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 water!
Workshop FAQ
-Cost for this certification is $350
-This workshop takes place May 15th and 16th, 2026
- Friday 3 pm - 5 pm at Swimstitute and 10 am - 2 pm Saturday at Hagan Park
-eLearning Date is self-scheduled but must be completed prior to class
-This workshop includes one complementary group photo for all students
-This workshop is available to students ages 15+
-Ticket sales close May 10th to accommodate eLearning
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!
Breath Hold workshop
May 16th, 2026
Learn the fundamentals of breath holding with freedive and mermaid instructor Sura the Surreal Sirena! This workshop is for those interested in learning how to improve your breath hold to better enjoy the underwater world. We’ll be going over a brief history of apnea, apnea prep, thoracic stretches to improve lung capacity, and we’ll even walk through different mental exercises you can practice during and after class
Outline
o History of breath holding
o Significance in mermaiding
o Anatomy
o Meditation and Mindfulness
o Group Breath hold exercises
Workshop FAQ
-This workshop takes place on May 16th, at 10 AM to 11:30 PM
- This workshop is $60
- Ages 12+
-Participants must bring their own monofins and tails to class (Tail not required, monofin required)
- Towel, goggles or mask and yoga mat
Hairography workshop
May 16th, 2026
Interested in learning movement that allows your luscious locks to take center stage? Look no further; whether you have short or long hair, wear wigs, or want to learn techniques that flow like water, we’ll be learning choreography that highlights an overlooked prop. This class will begin in the studio where we will learn choreography and add flair with our hair. Afterwards, we will apply what we’ve learned underwater!
Outline
o Learn movement and choreo in studio – 1hr
o Practice choreo in the pool
Workshop FAQ
-This workshop takes place on May 16th, at 1 PM to 3 PM
- This workshop is $70
- Ages 12+
-Participants must bring their own monofins and tails to class (Tail not required, monofin required)
- Towel, goggles or mask and dive belt with weights
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 17th, 2026
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 one of the only mermaid bars in teh us since 2011, 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 17th, 2026
-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 one of the only mermaid bars in the US since their opening year in 2011. She trains, schedules, hires and performs with that 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!
Dynamic Apnea Dance
May 17th, 2025
Want to better your underwater performance technique? Dynamic Apnea Dance is a new way to do that safely above water. Learning choreography while integrating breath holds into the dance. It’s fun, and safe for all levels of movement
Class Instructor - The Abalone Merman
The Abalone Merman is an LA native, and dancing in high school when his mentor Jennifer Infante had him step into his first tap shoe for the musical Crazy for You. From there he found his passion, and his dance career took off. He began training at venues such as Peninsula School of Performing Arts, South Bay Conservatory, Millennium Dance Complex, and El Camino College. While majoring in dance at El Co, he performed in several of their dance productions with the resident company Oui Geometor Dance Company as a principal/featured dancer, and even served as choreographer for a show. With his former management company 5th Amendment Entertainment, he danced for many showcases, back up for new upcoming artists, and for several choreographers in Carnival: Choreographer's Ball during its time at the Hollywood Key Club.
Workshop FAQ
-This class is $60 per student
-You must have a Main Entry Ticket to take this Workshop
-Saturday, May 17th 2025
-2:30 PM to 3:30 PM
-Participants must bring their own monofins and tails to class (Tail not required, monofin required)
-Students must be able to safely tread water for 5 min
-Only 10 spaces available!