Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a certification from The Seattle Mermaid School?
Olive the Alchemist is a PADI Mermaid Instructor. The Seattle Mermaid School offers PADI Discover Mermaid, Basic Mermaid, and Advanced Mermaid Certification courses to its qualifying students.
Where exactly is The Seattle Mermaid School?
The Seattle Mermaid School is operating out of Juanita Aquatics Center. The address to the pool is 10601 NE 132nd St, Kirkland, WA 98034. Occassionally classes run at alternate locations or online via Zoom. Check your booking details carefully for class location.
Do I need swimming experience to participate?
The Seattle Mermaid School is designed with all experience levels in mind. We take students as young as 8 years old and up to any age. Be sure to check the age requirement for each offering, as group lessons are age specific. All Apprentice Mermaids are required to pass a instructed skills check prior to tailing up in the water. This is included in the instruction time of students' first lesson. ​ Swimmers with the Seattle Mermaid School do not have to be the most confident in the water, however applicants should be able to complete 1 lap (25m) unassisted in human form. ​ Whether you are brand new to the sport of mermaiding or an aspiring professional, The Seattle Mermaid School has valuable, holistic instruction available to expand your mermaid skill set.
Do I need my own tail?
The Seattle Mermaid School has tails and monofins for use during all lessons and certifications. An inclusive range sizes are available from childrens' to adults' plus size.
Can I rent bi-fins or other equipment?
The Seattle Mermaid School has a limited number of rental sets available for use during PADI Certification courses. Reach out to your instructor right away if you need help collecting equipment. We do not guarantee availability of the human stuff.
What gear do I need to bring to class?
Apprentice Mermaid:
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Mask (Covering nose and eyes)
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Bathing Suit
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Towel
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Water Bottle
(Any) PADI Mermaid Certification:
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Mask (Covering nose and eyes)
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Goggles
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Snorkel
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Bathing Suit
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Bi-Fins
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Wet Suit or Rash Guard + Leggings
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Towel
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Water Bottle
What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy for classes?
In order to reserve regular pool space, our courses are pay-in-advance. Admittance runs like a movie theater, you purchase seats to the lesson you wish to attend. Please check your availability carefully prior to committing to a session. A minimum of two students must register for a PADI Mermaid Certification session for it to commence. Memberships utilize the first lesson's date to apply the cancellation and refund policy.
Our refund and cancellation policy has been detailed below for your convenience:
Cancellations:
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One hundred percent (100%) of payment is refundable if the reservation is canceled by the apprentice eight (8) days or more before the scheduled course starts.
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Seventy percent (70%) of payment is refundable if the reservation is canceled by the apprentice three (3) days or more before the scheduled course starts.
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Payment is non-refundable if the reservation is canceled by the Apprentice less than forty-eight (48) hours before the scheduled course starts.
Rescheduling:
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Rescheduling lessons with The Seattle Mermaid School is subject to current lesson availability. If there is a lesson available for transfer, and the School is notified eight (8) days or more before the scheduled course starts, the full amount of lesson payment can be applied to the later session.
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Seventy percent (70%) of the original payment is transferable to the new date if the original reservation is canceled by the apprentice three (3) days or more before the scheduled course starts.
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Payment is non-transferable if the transfer is requested by the Apprentice less than forty-eight (48) hours before the scheduled course starts.
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In the event that rescheduling outside of your current booking is not immediately possible, rescheduling requests will be considered cancellations for the purpose of refunding.
What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy for retreats?
Retreats require a number of non-refundable expenses to be paid by The Seattle Mermaid School to produce including PADI e-learning fees, facility rental fees, and gear stock. As such, registration for this course is pay-in-advance and non-cancellable. Please check your availability carefully prior to committing to this certification. A minimum of two students must register for a session for it to commence. (Which we have guranteed for this retreat.)
Cancellations:
Retreat purchases with The Seattle Mermaid School are non-returnable.
Weather is considered an act-of-god. The Seattle Mermaid School will make every effort to provide students with safe learning conditions during the certification retreat. 2 days of swimming are scheduled (Sunday back up) to ensure adequate time is spent in the water to complete course requirements. Instructors may modify lesson times during the retreat to meet safety standards and improve swimmer experience. It is the students' responsibility to complete the required material within the allotted swim sessions during the retreat.
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Rescheduling:
Rescheduling retreat certifications with The Seattle Mermaid School is subject to current retreat availability. If there is a later retreat available in the season for transfer, a $50 transfer fee will be charged to reschedule your ticket.
In the event that rescheduling outside of your current booking is not immediately possible, rescheduling requests will be considered cancellations for the purpose of refunding.
What paperwork do I need for my PADI class?
Prior to any in water activities, students participating in PADI programming must review, complete, and sign the following documents. No mermaids will be permitted to get in-water without these forms submitted. Refunds due to missing or incomplete paperwork are not offered at this time.
PADI Discover Mermaid:
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PADI Basic Mermaid, PADI Mermaid, PADI Advanced Mermaid: