Trainee mermaids make a splash at Les Ormes

Sunday 22 January 2017

It’s well over 25 years since Disney’s Little Mermaid charmed audiences with its tales of life under the sea, but a new Jersey fitness class is proving that the mystical mer-magic is still very much alive.

Les Ormes Swim Academy are offering islanders young and old the chance to experience life like Ariel – complete with a glistening tail.

It’s a craze that’s swept the US, but after spotting the impressive artificial tails at an industry event in the UK, Les Ormes wanted to bring the enchanting practice to Jersey waters.

After a two-day training course with Mermaids UK – a mermaid tail, classes and training specialist based in North Devon – the staff started the hour-long sessions over the Christmas period, which were fully booked up until this weekend.

Rebekah Andrews, Swim Supervisor at Les Ormes’ Swim Academy, told Express about the classes’ unique appeal: “I think it’s about drawing people into a kind of fantasy world. After seeing films like The Little Mermaid, they want to become part of that fantasy and see how it feels to live as mermaid.

“We try to give people full immersion so they become like a mermaid. We’ll introduce ourselves in mer-talk, and really bring them into the world by saying things like, “If you flap your tail in the air, that will alert the dolphins to come and play!””

Part of this “immersion” involves giving the girls glittery mermaid makeup, while the boys proudly wield Neptune’s trident.

The key, of course, is in the tail. It’s made of two parts: the fin and a ‘skin’, which is pulled over the top and done up with a drawstring around the waist. After users have proven they can swim 25 metres and completed basic safety training, they’re taught in the ways of the “undulating movements” necessary for full mermaid effect. 

It’s this movement that’s made it so popular with adult audiences too, as it’s fantastic for core strength. 

“We had a 63-year-old the other week, who can’t do normal swimming like breast stroke… This is great for her hip and knee fitness, and that side of things.”

Sarah Maguire (22), who trialled the classes last weekend, described the experience as “amazing.”

“It felt really strange at first, but after a few times up and down the pool, I was ready to try the mono-fin… It was hard to swim in it but so much fun. I learned to swim under water with it on, mermaid high fives, hand stands and roly-poly. It was a fun and tough workout, and it released my inner child.” 

For more information on the classes, contact Les Ormes on 01534 497036.