Meet your Instructors:
Aqua Native values Inclusion, Safety, Joy, and Environmental Stewardship.
Ani Ferguson PADI MERMAID & FREEDIVE INSTRUCTOR TRAINER, SCUBA INSTRUCTOR An "Aqua Native" in the truest sense, Ani’s relationship with the water began at just eight weeks old. Growing up in a family of divers, the water was her second home, but her lifelong calling was sparked at age four during a trip to Weeki Wachee Springs. There, after a mesmerizing underwater show, Mermaid Marti hand-picked Ani and her sister from the crowd for a photo—a moment that turned a childhood wonder into a lifelong pursuit. Ani’s path has been defined by a blend of technical mastery and creative innovation. She earned her SCUBA certification in 1990 at the age of 10 and spent her early years as a competitive swimmer and lifeguard. After completing her undergraduate degree in 2004, she merged her background in Studio Art and Art Education with her love for the ocean, designing her first custom mermaid tail. Since then, Ani has evolved into one of the industry's most versatile leaders. Her professional credentials include:
Based in the high deserts of Utah, Ani is dedicated to proving that the magic of the water belongs to everyone. Since 2003, she has used her expertise as a professional educator to create an accessible, high-quality learning environment. Whether you are aspiring to be a mermaid, a freediver, or a scuba diver, Ani’s mission is to help you find your place beneath the surface. Certifications and Credentials:
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Elsa Schmidke PADI MERMAID INSTRUCTOR, Open Water SCUBA INSTRUCTOR Elsa instructs Mermaid Courses with Aqua Native! Elsa is a PADI Professional Mermaid Instructor, Open Water Scuba Instructor, and Freediver. Her love for water has been reflected throughout her life in her hobbies, sports, and career. Some would say her love started as young as three years old, when she was gifted her first pair of swim goggles. This kickstarted her 14 year long competitive swimming career, which led her to receive multiple 4A state championship titles, as well as being named captain of the Skyline High School varsity team in 2017. Elsa also grew up with a fascination for aquatic life. At just 12 years old, she decided she wanted to be a marine biologist when she grew up. She spent years working hard to achieve her dream by volunteering with her local aquarium, taking scuba classes, and receiving her bachelor's degree in Zoology from Weber State University. Her hard work paid off and Elsa currently works as a Jellyfish and Coral specialist for Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. Elsa continued her professional scuba career by becoming a certified PADI Divemaster in 2017, and a few years later received her Open Water Scuba Instructor certification in 2021. She loves teaching classes at Dive Utah and is excited at the idea of helping others love and respect the underwater world as much as she does. Elsa has been involved with Aqua Natives since the beginning. Elsa and Ani met at Dive Utah and started working together in 2015. Shortly after meeting, Elsa and Ani were certified as PADI Freedivers in 2016. Elsa was among the first to certify as a Mermaid and Advanced Mermaid when the program first started in 2021. She instantly fell in love with the art and beauty of mermaiding and continued to practice whenever she could. Elsa received her Mermaid Instructor rating in 2024 and is excited to help others find the joy that she found. We are excited to have her on the team! Certifications and Credentials:
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