My Story

Hi! I’m Anna and here is my story behind South Coast Mermaids…

The inspiration

I saw mermaid swimming and thought that there was a huge gap in the market.  As a primary school teacher and a swimming teacher, I watched children (especially girls) drop out of swimming lessons around Stage 5.  I taught some swimming lessons at this stage and realised that they were not enthused about swimming lengths…

I wondered what could be done about this.  How can we keep children engaged in swimming, active and develop a life-long love of swimming?  Enter Fin2Fit  and their mermaid and shark swimming program!

I was told to get on the course and the centre I worked at would start classes!

Research

I did a lot of research into the different companies that offered mermaid swimming.  It was incredibly easy in the end; Fin2Fit have partnered with both Swim England and The Royal Life Saving Society.

[Here is where I spent hours, weeks and months on pitching to various pools… I won’t bore you with the details]

Finally, I launched South Coast Mermaids myself!  I was completely out of my comfort zone.  What did I know about running a business?  I also found business support in the amazing Last Friday Club in Chichester (even though my business would not be based in the area).  I was still not getting anywhere with pools though….

Pools

Enter Arundel Lido.  Wow! Nikki team are beyond amazing.  I was completely supported from the beginning and am looking forward to working together over the years! I had such a fantastic first summer; most sessions were fully booked.  Thanks to Nikki’s help, I was then able to pitch (successfully this time) to more pools.

Arun Leisure Centre was next… they have also been supportive, allowing flexibility with the little things that matter so much to a small business.  Who remembers the week I told everyone to arrive early because there was a swimming gala… but I had messed up the dates?! I was so grateful we were allowed to swim at the earlier time.

Since then, I  have launched at Littlehampton Wave and Fontwell Physiotherapy Pool (for mermaid swimming parties).

Customers

I have met the most amazing swimmers and their parents.  I am so thrilled to have made so many dreams come true!  

What next?

I have launched products.  I am also going to be launching at some new swimming pools soon!