Peninsula Sea Mermaid Course ReviewHands-On Kenting Mermaid Instruction for Stunning Mermaid Photos

The afternoon pool session began with practicing the butterfly undulation in a yellow frog suit, which is arguably the first major hurdle of the mermaid course. Many students who performed the move perfectly on land found themselves unable to do it once in the water. Calista listened intently as the coach provided vivid, concrete descriptions, likening the motion to "pushing with the pelvis." After watching the coach's demonstration and practicing repeatedly, she finally started to grasp the knack.

Once you're comfortable with the movement in the water, you'll move on to wearing the monofin. Having both feet bound can be a bit nerve-wracking for first-timers, but the Bantao Hairen instructor was incredibly patient and reassuring. Thanks to the thorough practice beforehand, there was no panic once the monofin was on. All subsequent lessons—freestyle, backstroke, and rescue techniques—are completed using the monofin.

After ample practice, we moved to the deeper pool to work on duck dives and neutral buoyancy. Duck dives aren't too difficult for those with freediving experience, but neutral buoyancy is another story! The second challenge of the mermaid course is learning to stay perfectly still underwater, neither floating up nor sinking down. Without a mask, your vision is blurry, and it's easy to feel uneasy. When Calista frantically reached for the railing, the instructor immediately swam over to help her return to the surface. He patiently waited for her to calm down before discussing areas for improvement. Bantao Hairen truly observes students with incredible care, seeing not only their physical posture but also their deepest fears, helping them overcome those barriers.

The final part of the course focused on "hair and expression control," crucial elements for good photos. First, we removed our masks to experience opening our eyes underwater, then practiced sweeping our hair away from our faces. If the current isn't right, hair can drape over your face like seaweed—Calista was so frustrated she almost wanted to shave her head!

After Calista finished her mermaid certification course, she added an onshore photoshoot to capture the beautiful moments and unique experience. She expected it to take a long time, but the instructor confidently said it wouldn't be necessary, a testament to their professional skill.

Calista was worried about feeling awkward in front of the camera and unsure if she would look good, but the coach, a professional photographer and model, was excellent at guiding her. They taught Calista how to pose beautifully, capturing many shots before she even had a chance to feel self-conscious, all in a relaxed atmosphere that yielded natural moments. The shoot wrapped up quickly, and a quick peek at the photos left her stunned by how beautiful she looked—the results were absolutely professional-grade!

After completing the mermaid certification course, you can take on advanced ocean lessons. You'll start with basic skills practice in the ocean, followed by an exam. This is a crucial step, as the ocean is ever-changing, and without proper preparation while your legs are bound, you won't be able to safely enjoy this activity in the future! In addition to the exam, the coaches record your practice sessions in the ocean, so you'll receive precious video footage afterward. Throughout the entire process, the coach is always by your side; the moment they noticed Calista seemed short of breath and wanted to surface, they immediately helped her get her mouth and nose above water. After a few times, she felt completely at ease, knowing the coach would always ensure her safety.

Once you have your mermaid certification, you can book solo mermaid photoshoots or even join international dive trips, spreading your mermaid magic across the globe—Calista is certainly looking forward to it! Even if you're new to diving or not a strong swimmer, the instructors at Bantao Hairen are confident they can build your foundation step-by-step through solid training, ensuring everyone can become a graceful, confident mermaid in the ocean.

During free time after class, you can safely interact with other divers and explore the coral under the instructor's supervision, truly feeling like a mermaid. However, besides marine life, you might also encounter unwelcome guests like plastic bowls; the final chapter of the mermaid theory course at Bantao Hairen focuses on ocean pollution. The ocean is our greatest resource, yet it's also the place humanity most easily neglects. This experience with Bantao Hairen taught Calista that beyond beautiful photos and professional techniques, the ocean conservation repeatedly emphasized by the instructors is an equally vital part of mermaid sports.