PADI CEO Explains Why Mermaids Are Voices for the Ocean

Saving the seven seas is a formidable task, but with PADI and its mermaid initiative, there's new hope for the oceans.

The conservation-minded Professional Association of Diving Instructors is empowering aspiring mer-people across the globe to get their fins on by participating in its mermaid training courses and as a result, become powerful ocean advocates. The instruction, which ranges from beginner to advanced level, teaches anyone - regardless of skills and experience - the safe sport of mermaiding, with a healthy dose of empowerment and environmental activism in the mix.

"Mermaids are real. Anyone can be one, and by doing so you become part of our mutual movement to restore the balance between humanity and the ocean," says Drew Richardson, president and CEO of PADI Worldwide. "PADI is proud to be the way the world learns to mermaid, and in doing so, create a new powerful platform for ocean change."

Find Your Fins

PADI made a big splash for its mermaid program in late 2020, and it's been smooth sailing ever since. There are seven different levels of PADI mermaiding certifications available - all the way up to becoming a trainer. Little ones can get in on the fun, too: Anyone ages 6 and up can become a PADI mermaid.

Thanks to popular culture and a purpose-driven mission, the PADI mer-movement is quickly growing. PADI has a global listing of PADI Mermaid Centers where the program introduces participants to free diving and mermaiding, and provides insight into better ways to protect the ocean. PADI's Instagram account showcases both the sport and performance aspects to mermaiding, including glamorous shots as a result of professional underwater photo shoots of mermaids in their tails. 

Potential sea sirens can check out the real deal on TikTok, where official PADI mermaid instructor and founding PADI mermaid team member Mermaid Elle champions the transformational power of becoming a mermaid as well as the merfolk's ability to save the ocean.

"In addition to showing children that you can really become anything you dream of, becoming a PADI mermaid enables me to be an important and much-needed voice for our watery world, helping others learn more about the condition of our oceans and what we can do to keep them - and our planet - healthy," says Mermaid Elle. 

Under the Sea

It's practically impossible to reference mermaids without mentioning the happiest place on Earth. "There's almost a Disney-level fascination with it, if you will, that's now exploding," Richardson says of the rising popularity of mermaid culture. "It's really quite remarkable. As the release of the live-action The Little Mermaid starring Halle Bailey nears in May 2023, there's a heightened level of interest in all things mermaiding. This has increased from the fantasy fans, kids, and conservationists who carried the mermaid torch for the decades since the animated version was released." 

Richardson reveals that mermaiding has been particularly popular in Asia. "I don't know if it started in Korea and China, but it certainly accelerated there," Richardson says. "Because a lot of mermaiding has its roots in showmanship and underwater choreography, it is also considered a performance art.

"Think of Cirque du Soleil on steroids, underwater, with fanciful mermaid crowns, tails, and accessories, often more glamorous than a fashion show - all underwater," Richardson continues. "These are great and incredibly fit athletes doing amazing things that few could even do on land. So, it started there, then it naturally became competitive, very similar to figure skating and ice dancing. We sponsored a [Guinness] World Record in the Atlantis [Sanya] Group's Aquarium in China, in which over 110 mer-people came together in the world's largest underwater performance. It was a lot of logistics to pull off, but it was certainly worth it since it created an incredible platform for ocean change."

Richardson is referring to the 2021 event that took place in the Ambassador Lagoon inside China's Atlantis Sanya resort on the island of Hainan. It was the world's largest underwater mermaid show - and it was spectacular. 

"It took off in China like wildfire," PADI's Greater China President Yan Lou told cnn.com, adding that mermaid diving "has the power to convert people on the spot. Upon seeing beautiful images from other mermaids, consumers almost immediately jump onto the activity itself."

Mermaiding is an emerging trend across the globe that is capturing our imagination and amplifying our collective passion for our planet's largest and most important ecosystem - just when the oceans could use a bit more hope," Richardson says. "With our mission to create a billion torchbearers to save the ocean, we're filling the seas with passionate, responsible mermaids who are working hard to accelerate that goal."

In the Swim

Every mermaid starts out as a guppy and PADI, the world's largest purpose-driven diving association, is ready to train even the tiniest minnows to flick their tails. As a mermaid progresses through the seven levels, they ride the tide all the way from backflipping in a pool to taking trips to exotic locales like Australia and the Maldives. They also learn critical safety and rescue skills, in line with all other PADI dive and freedive certification courses.

"The PADI Mermaid Program is very bene-fish-al to those who enjoy the art and sport of being a mermaid," says Mermaid Elle. "From learning how to mermaid dive safely, to experiencing such a unique and also empowering experience, mermaiding is a one-of-a-kind sport."

According to Mermaid Elle, there are bountiful benefits to participating in the PADI program that far exceed even the fantastic fantasy fulfillment. First and foremost is learning safe diving, particularly in a mono-fin mermaid fish tail. It's ideal for free diving beginners. Mermaid Elle explains, "Participants can expect to learn buoyancy, apnea, and other techniques that are a great start for those interested in free diving."

Mermaiding isn't just about swimming in a pretty tail and blowing bubble kisses - it's about skills and saving the environment as well. Part of every mermaid course includes important information on how PADI mermaids can - with both their fins and their own two hands - save the ocean. PADI has even created a Mermaid Team to represent its purpose-driven program.

Elle adds that the empowerment of conquering the depths is awe-inspiring, as is the camaraderie of the mermaid community. "Mermaiding is a sport that not only includes diving techniques; it also impersonates both the beauty and mission of mermaids. What is a mermaid's mission? To protect the ocean. Exploring ocean-conservation courses allows participants to learn how they can impact the ocean," she wrote on blog.padi.com.

CEO Drew Richardson says PADI is working daily to bring even more attention to its mermaid programming and the mysterious mystique of the mermaid lifestyle. "For anybody that was an early mermaid, they have to be proud to see the evolution of it, but it's now on a bigger scale than I think anybody ever thought," Richardson says.

"Most importantly, there's an incredible opportunity now for mermaids to surface all of the critical issues facing our oceans. And PADI is providing a platform to do just that, allowing mermaids to make a real difference protecting what they love," reflects Richardson.

Real-Life Superheroes

Magical things can happen beneath the surface - but legend and lore also indicate otherwise. Everyone's heard the myths of mermaids pulling sailors to their demise in Davy Jones' locker but modern mermaids save lives.

A recent PADI mermaid class in Catalina, California, was taking place in open water when, one participant said three scuba divers, unrelated to PADI or the mermaid program, ascended nearby, with one calling for help.

Without hesitation, PADI scuba diving instructor Elaina Thomas, mermaid instructor Elle Jimenez (yes, Mermaid Elle), and free diving instructor Great Chin Burger dove into action.

The student recalled, "His buddies were distressed, confused, and struggling to swim the 250 pound-plus diver with at least 35 pounds of weight and a full cold water kit to shore. Calmly, mermaids Elaina, Elle, and Chin all put their PADI training to use without a single moment's pause, following the PADI rescue protocols deeply ingrained in their muscle memory, ditching his weights and gear, getting the diver to shore and out of danger and in Elaina's case, who is also a trained volunteer EMT, providing lifesaving rescue breaths at the surface."

According to observers, emergency responders credited the PADI crew with saving the diver's life. Said his thankful friends, "You all were amazing. Real life mermaids to the rescue. You made me believe in fairy tales again. Thanks again for all you did."

This amazing fish tale comes as no surprise to CEO Drew Richardson. "For over 50 years, PADI has set the gold standard for safe scuba diving training - and mermaiding is no different."

Adds Richardson, "Some superheroes wear capes, others wear mermaid tails."