【The Exotic Time Machine】

Many of us can The Exotic Time Machinebut dream of metamorphosing into a mermaid.

One woman, however, is turning both adults' and children's dreams into a reality with a special mermaid academy. That's right, it's a school that teaches you how to become a mermaid.

SEE ALSO: The unicorn trend is no longer a rarity. Can we please call time on it?

Mayim Mermaid Academy in Bournemouth, UK, teaches "mermaiding students" how to swim and perform with mermaid tails, which consist of a plastic mono-fin covered in fabric.

Mermaiding students learn to swim with a tail. Credit: Jack Taylor/Getty Images

Michelle Forsbrey, who goes by the mermaid alias MerShell, is the founder of the mermaid academy. She's been developing the skills of 300 wannabe-mercreatures on the south coast of England since launching her academy in summer 2015. "I love mermaids, I love the water, the ocean, the beach. I live four minutes' walk away from the beach and that is not close enough," says Forsbrey.

She teaches children aged 6 and over, as well as adults. She says her oldest mermaids have been in their sixties. She says she and her students "laugh and have an incredible time under the water."

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A merman swims. Credit: jack taylor/Getty Images

"Swimming as a mermaid is incredible. It's peaceful, dreamy, and a lovely form of exercise wearing a beautiful tail," says Forsbrey.

She says kids and teens are obsessed with mermaids at the minute because they're watching Netflix's Mako Mermaidsseries. "They are going crazy over mermaids!" Forsbrey continues.

Underwater fun. Credit: Jack Taylor/Getty Images

She says that mermaid tails aren't accessible everywhere and it's really important for wannabe-mermaids to learn the safety aspects if they want to swim like a sea creature. Forsbrey has accreditation from the International Mermaid Swimming Instructors Association, and a range of swimming and diving qualifications. She's also a qualified lifeguard and Red Cross lifesaver.

So, what exactly do mermaid lessons entail? Just like swimming, mermaiding has a series of levels that you can work your way up. Beginners will learn the basics, like putting on a mermaid tail, safety and care, and how to enter and exit the pool. Students will also learn basic swimming techniques, like "mermaid breast stroke", and treading water, along with some "under water fun" like finding treasure.

I wanna be where the mermaids are. Credit: Jack Taylor/Getty Images

More advanced mermaids will learn stuff like breathing techniques, handstands, rolls and underwater poses. You'll also learn choreography and will be able to make up your own routines. Fun!

Prices for classes start at £80 per person for two-person classes, and one-on-ones are £100 per person.

Dreams really do come true, it seems.

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