Mermaids from all over the world came to attend MerMagic Con 2020 in Manassas, Virginia, in February.

NAUI recently launched the new NAUI Mermaid Certification programs, and MerMagic Con was the perfect event to promote the new classes. NAUI’s Mermaid Program Coordinator Lila Jones (NAUI 58342) attended the event, educating mermaids and others on the importance of safety, training, and skills and also about NAUI’s wide range of scuba and freediving programs. “This weekend was crazy and VERY nonstop,” Jones said. “We had a wonderful response and lots of mermaids asking about the NAUI program.”

Jones’s team also gave away certificates for Mermaid Level 1 and Mermaid Level 2 certification classes that will be taught at Aqua Performance Group’s MerFest International 2020 in South Haven, Michigan, June 12–14. All performers with the international Aqua Performance Group will become certified under NAUI’s new program.

NAUI certified mermaids who were trained under Jones when Mermaiding was an instructor-specified specialty course were happy to see NAUI represented at the convention and stopped by the NAUI booth to pose for a photo.

The event also hosted photography sessions, movement classes, introductory classes, kids activities, professional development classes, and panels on various topics. There was even a Merlympics where competitors swam through a timed underwater obstacle course.

While most came for the joy of the daily convention activities, one of the most popular events was the Gala in which attendees dressed to impress for a whimsical evening, pulling out all the stops for their costuming.

Jones also gave two eco talks and promoted two non-profits, Haereticus Environmental Laboratory and Grand Cayman Eco Divers Reef Foundation. NAUI was proud to sponsor Jones to attend, spread the news about the mermaid program, and continue to pave the way for the future of mermaiding.

If you’ve ever been curious about how diverse the mermaid community is, MerMagic Con is definitely a great way to jump in and get your fins wet. Next year’s MerMagic Con will be during the weekend of March 5–7 in Manassas.