I did it. After a decade of focused, relentless work, the dream is finally a reality. I am thrilled—and honestly, a little breathless—to announce the launch of the Underwater Performance with Air PADI Distinctive Specialty Course©, and its corresponding book, Underwater with Air. 

This isn't just another course; it's the culmination of a lifelong obsession, fueled by a formative memory that defined my path. 

The Genesis of a Decade-Long Dream 
My journey started decades ago in a magical place: Weekie Wachee Springs. When I was five, I was plucked from the audience by the legendary Marti the Mermaid for a special photo. That moment—that brief, sparkling connection to an impossible underwater world—lodged deep in my soul and became the north star for my adult life. 
As I grew, the goal of becoming a Weekie Wachee mermaid felt perpetually out of reach. But the dream was patient. Years later, with a little adult money and a lot of determination, I finally attended their Sirens of the Deep mermaid camp. Swimming with my mermaid buddy Gail and listening to counselor Vicki Smith's stories of old-time mermaid mischief and celebrity performances for Elvis only solidified my resolve. 

Perseverance and the Prototype 
I was tired of waiting for dreams to happen; I wanted to make them happen. One fall holiday, over ten years ago, my dad and I built the first prototype of an underwater air hose for performance. That moment ignited a marathon of work: 

• 10+ years of learning, training, and testing. 

• Designing an entire curriculum. 

• Earning essential PADI credentials and accreditation for this distinctive specialty SCUBA course. 

• Writing the book, Underwater with Air. (Currently only available for course participants)

Through the difficulty of life changes and profound life transitions, this project was my anchor. Working in the water was a safe, quiet space that held me, allowing me to clear my mind and emerge with direction and purpose. I kept building, adding the dimension and structure needed to make this impossibility a complete possibility. 
 
The New Frontier: Underwater Performance with Air 
Now, after all that dedication, the door to an entirely new space of possibility underwater is open. This is the only course of its kind in the world. The Underwater Performance with Air PADI Distinctive Specialty Course© is the revolutionary certification designed for committed performance divers who are ready to merge their skills into a stunning new art form. 

You will learn to combine the best of: 

• Advanced SCUBA 

• Advanced Mermaid 

• Basic Freediver 

...to execute intricate, fluid, and artful underwater compositions. By integrating compressed air safely and seamlessly, you'll gain the extended time underwater needed to perfect movements, develop body awareness, and truly transform your artistry. You’ll be pushing the boundaries of what is possible, utilizing your unique blend of skills for theater, film, and live aquatic performance. I have worked for a long time to create this access point, and it is finally here. 

Are you ready to dive into your next chapter? 
The inaugural course is starting in January, 2026! Please note that this is a SCUBA Specialty course, and the prerequisites listed above are in place to help you reach success in this training. Instructor certification in this specialty is part of the future planning, but work on your prerequisites NOW! Get in touch to make this unique certification part of your skillset and open up a world of performance possibilities. 
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Learn more and request to book the course here: Underwater Performance with Air.

In early fall, Ani traveled to Cancun, Mexico, to complete the demanding PADI Freedive Instructor Trainer course. If you’ve ever completed high-level training with a packed schedule and an incredibly high standard of excellence, you have a sense of the intensity level of this program.

Ani had completed a similar PADI Mermaid Instructor Trainer Course training in 2021 and came into this course with a good background in PADI content, but this was still definitely a challenge. Our incredible teammates—Tanner Peterson (Depth Wish Freediving), Eric Martin (Lost Winds), and Phil McClaren (Big Squid)—were joined by Brandon Burke (Odyssey Freediving), who served as our unofficial teammate and supportive study buddy.
When you're pushing your physical and mental limits—whether it’s presenting a nerve-wracking demonstration, building a multi-layered team presentation, or achieving a personal best (PB) dive—the people next to you are the only ones who truly understand the depth of the effort.

We developed an “In the Trenches” connection, forging a solid "us against the challenge" mentality. Seeing your teammate struggle but refuse to quit gives you the inspiration to keep going, building a deep mutual respect. We secured a non-verbal understanding of each other: you often don't need to say a word. A simple nod, or a high-five after a tough interval says, "I see you, I know how hard that was, and we got through it together."

We know we have a deep, foundational friendship forged in fire. It's the kind of relationship where you know, without a doubt, that the person standing next to you will push you, support you, and be completely honest with you because you’re both dedicated to the same struggle and the same victory. If you've never taken on a challenge like this before, we highly recommend the experience. Ani can say that, personally, it was transformative in the past, and even more so this time around.

New Freediver Courses!
This rigorous training allows Ani to bring new, high-level courses to our lineup. After a week packed with presentations and performance assessments in the pool and the stunning Cenote Maravilla, she is now certified to train the next generation of PADI Freedive Instructors.
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Starting this spring, Ani will offer Freedive Instructor and Apnea Flow Instructor courses. Instructor-level courses require prerequisite training and experience in freediving. If you are interested in reaching this goal, please get in touch now to ensure you have the prerequisites in place for these advanced programs. See you underwater!

Dive into a whole new world of underwater expression! Learn to execute
underwater movement and creative performances using a foundation of freediving
skills, while integrating your unique movement background with safety, individuality, and artistic execution. 

​These courses, level 1 & 2, are available and accessible for a variety of movement backgrounds. The underwater world invites you to experience a profound sense of freedom and grace beneath the surface. The Apnea Flow Courses offer a playful and inclusive opportunity to discover your unique aquatic expression. Connect with your body and sensations as you gracefully navigate underwater. Level 1 develops your safety and skills in up to 10' of depth in a controlled environment. Level 2 stretches your skills to create safe work in depths of up to 20'. 

If you have been interested in underwater dance and movement, this is the perfect opportunity to get started!. In this course you'll learn in a structured environment, guided by Ani Ferguson, an experienced PADI professional. Ani helps you navigate building a plan for your underwater work, provides feedback on your movement as you build movement sequences, practical tips to help you progress quickly in your work. This program is designed to cover all essential topics systematically, ensuring you don't miss critical safety information. Additionally, you'll learn hands-on exercises and real-world scenarios, allowing you to apply your knowledge in a controlled environment. In the program, you'll meet like-minded freedivers who can support and enrich your exploration beyond the coursework. Investing in your learning through this program helps you save time, prevent common mistakes, and culminates in an Apnea Flow PADI Distinctive Specialty certification, which can bolster your resume and future underwater work.

You can grab a spot for this course in the upcoming 19th Im'Mer'sion conference on July 19th! Ani will also be discussing the details for this course in the upcoming PADI Virtual Mermaid Summit on May 25th. We hope to see you at these events!

Get in touch to activate your path forward in underwater freedive dance!