Mermaid and Shark academy is opening in Preston

A mermaid and shark academy is making its way to Preston, helping youngsters to get fit and interested with water.

Jo Grime, who runs IATD Fitness school, has set up the Aqua Mermaids Academy to help pass on her love for water in a fun and exciting way for children.

The mermaid and shark academy will engage youngsters in a new and rapidly growing water based sport, in which each child will be able to wear a mermaid or shark tail, learn how to swim with them and have pictures taken against a water themed backdrop.

Based at Walton-le-Dale Primary School pool, the academy will officially open on Friday 26 January.

It will offer mermaid experience sessions for swimmers age 4+, weekly group lessons for swimmers who are above stage 5, and one-to-one sessions for age 4+ and even adults.

The academy is also offering magical mermaid parties, featuring fun and games, and the birthday child will get to wear a tiara.

Jo Grime said: “I already run a local swim school called IATD Fitness and will have done so for 10 years in May.

“I am a swimmer and I used to swim to national level as a youngster, and have kept my passion for all things water, being a scuba diver, snorkeller, open water swimmer and now masters swimmer.

“I set the classes up as I am very passionate about swimming and helping everyone to find a love for water, and it’s a really fun way to engage youngsters in a new and rapidly growing water based sport.

“It also gives our own current swimmers, from my own swim school, additional routes to follow as they progress through their swimming journey.

“I love what I do and I am setting up the mermaid academy to help keep young children fit and interested in water for life.

“We currently teach everyone from babies, toddler, nurseries, nervous swimmers, all the way to swimmers who are achieving all their awards, up to competitive swimmers, iron men and open water swimmers.”

You can contact the mermaid and shark academy via the website, or you can ring Jo on 07540785834.

What do you think about the new Aqua Mermaid and Shark Academy? Did your child go to Walton-le-Dale school? Let us know in the comments below