Little mermaids

TRAINEE mermaids . . . Youngsters with their mermaid 'monofins' at Dolphin Academy (back from left), Freya Butler, Ayla Flint, Rebecca Miniham, Nathaniel Jacobs and Mila Rose Jacobs with (front) Emilia Varey

CHILDREN are being given the opportunity to flip their fins as the first ever mermaid lessons are launched in Oldham.

Dolphin Academy will become the first swim school to provide the magical underwater experience in the borough when it opens on Sunday.

Lessons will be held once a week from the school's base at DW Sports Fitness in Royton.

Emme Love (9), who attends Dolphin Academy several times a week, said: "I really want to feel like a 'real mermaid' so that's why I'm joining.

"I'm very excited for my mermaid lessons to start because I love to swim and being a mermaid in the water will make me feel like I'm in a fairytale. It also uses skill in butterfly which I am good at.

"I can't wait to become a mermaid under the sea, I'm really excited."

Emme and her peers will be taught how to swim with a monofin - a glitzy mermaid tail - and how to tackle underwater swimming while holding their breath.

The lessons will also include mermaid routines and synchronised swimming as well as encourage children to use their core muscles to swim with a dolphin kick.

Mum Tracy Love said: "Emme loves to swim. She also loves mermaids, therefore the two combined are a dream come true for her. She is a real-life water baby - she was born to swim.

"Alongside fitness and learning new talents, the chance of becoming a mermaid once a week and experiencing the feeling of what it would be like under the sea is surreal and an amazing opportunity to create memories for my little girl."

Director and head swimming teacher Rebecca Minihan has received qualifications from the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) and the Swimming Teachers' Association (STA) as well as the Royal Life Saving Society. At the end of May she had additional training with Mermaids UK, enabling her to plan lessons, handle and fit the mermaid tails and deliver mermaid routines.

Rebecca, whose parents are both swimming teachers, said: "Having spent most of my life swimming I love the idea of becoming a real life mermaid.

"I cannot wait to offer something different to swimming in Oldham. This will be magical for the children."

Tracy added: "Becky will be an inspiration developing these young boys and girls into little sharks and mermaids."

Mermaid lessons will take place on Sundays between 2pm and 6pm.

Bookings will be taken from July on 07581 062278 or online at dolphin-academy.class4kids.co.uk.