About your instructor: Ani is a PADI Professional Mermaid Instructor Trainer, Freedive Instructor and Divemaster. Starting her love affair with the water at just 8 weeks old, when she took her first swim lesson, she has been an Aqua Native ever since. She grew up in a family that regularly went swimming and diving for family activities. At the age of four, Ani was able to meet Mermaid Marti at the end of a mesmerizing underwater show at Weeki Wachee Springs in Florida. Her love of mermaiding began when Marti hand-picked Ani and her sister from the crowd for a special photo opportunity; the rest is history.
Ani has always pursued opportunities to be close to the water, be it enjoying competitive swimming or working as a lifeguard. In 1990, Ani earned her SCUBA Certification at the age 10. Mermaiding was a natural progression for her and in 2004, after completing her undergrad, Ani designed her own mermaid tail for swimming. She was fortunate to be able to attend mermaid camp at Weeki Wachee in 2014. Wanting to swim like the Weeki Wachee mermaids, Ani developed her own air hose system which allows her to stay underwater for extended periods of time. Ever working to expand her mermaid skill set, she completed her PADI Freediver Certification in 2016.
Ani advanced her SCUBA diving to the professional level earning her Divemaster Certification in 2017 and in 2021, when PADI offered the opportunity to become a Mermaid Instructor, she jumped at the chance, completing her certification in March of 2021. Ani has worked to bring mermaiding opportunities to the high deserts of Utah and beyond, offering classes for anyone who wishes to to achieve their dream of being a mermaid or anyone looking for new a fun ways to have fun in the water. Ani is confident that all students will receive the highest quality instruction as she has a background in Art and Art Education and has been a professional Educator since 2003.
Ani believes everyone has the ability to enjoy the water and be at home in it. She works to create that access point for anyone who is interested in learning how to be more comfortable in the water. As mammals, we all have natural reflexes that aid us in swimming and diving, we just need to develop those reflexes. Her goal is to help everyone find their place in the water- either as a mermaid and/or a freediver. Aqua Natives value Inclusion, Safety, Joy and Environmental Stewardship. Everyone can be an Aqua Native.
Aqua Native is committed to diversity and inclusion. We value and promote inclusion in all aspects of our work within our organization and provide equal opportunity to people of all races, ethnicities, religions, genders, sexual orientation, abilities, and socioeconomic status.