If you or your children have ever harboured a fantasy to swim like a mermaid, you’re in luck — Panorama Recreation Centre is offering mermaid-tail lessons on Sunday.
The desire to swim like a mermaid has its roots in The Little Mermaid, a 1989 Disney animated movie featuring the adventures of Ariel, a young mermaid.
Continuing interest in the character has spawned a craze that sees mermaid-tail classes at pools across the country.
“When we first introduced Mermaid School in the fall of 2015, we saw a big spurt in interest,” said Miko Heddle, assistant aquatic co-ordinator at the centre. “The fascination hasn’t stopped since. Almost every hour, I would hear a child, usually a girl, say: ‘Mom, look, they have a Mermaid School’ after seeing a promotional poster on my office door.”
The popularity of the initial lessons, which featured a maximum of 10 participants and two or more instructors, has spawned a Level 2 advanced class this year for participants who want to learn more. Classes are restricted to children ages eight to 14.
“We find children eight and older have the necessary physical strength to use the tails safely,” Heddle said.
Sunday’s event is open for anyone age eight to adults. Fifteen children’s tails of various sizes and colours are available, as well as four adult tails. You can also bring your own mermaid tail.
“This event is an opportunity for people to test a tail out and get a feel for the sensation,” Heddle said.
The centre also offers mermaid birthday parties (for children age two and older) at the pool, with the birthday boy or girl sharing a one-hour swim with 15 friends.
Sunday’s mermaid-tail lesson is included as part of general admission. It runs 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Mermaid School costs $11 per class. It runs from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. from Jan. 20 to Feb. 24 for Level 1 and from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. from April 21 to May 26 for Level 2.
All activities take place in the pool at Panorama Recreation Centre, 1885 Forest Park Dr., North Saanich.
For information, go to crd.bc.ca/panorama/programs/aquatics-swimming.
Find out about what’s growing at Seedy Saturday
The ground may still be frozen and a cold wind blowing, but for hardy gardeners, the first sign of spring is not a bird, but the Haliburton Community Organic Farm’s annual Saanich Seedy Saturday event at the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific.
This is the fifth year of the event, at which you can learn more about seeds, flowers and bees. An estimated 30 vendors are expected, with flower, herb and vegetable seeds. Young plants will also be available.
Adventurous gardeners can check out the community seed exchange for seeds donated by other backyard gardeners.
Gardeners who wish to donate or exchange seeds should ensure they are cleaned and labelled with the variety and year they were harvested.
Young green thumbs will be kept busy at a children’s table.
Lori Weidenhammer, author of Victory Gardens for Bees, is the featured speaker at the event. She will speak on Creating a Buzz: Attracting and Feeding Bumblebees in Your Garden.
Admission is $5 and includes entry to the Gardens at Horticultural Centre of the Pacific. The event runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the centre, 505 Quayle Rd. The speaker presentation is at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Go to haliburtonfarm.org.
Get out and walk with Parks experts
Hikers who like to learn more about the ecosystem around them have two reasons to celebrate this weekend as CRD Parks presents two guided walks — one in Metchosin on Saturday and another in Saanich on Sunday. Both are suitable for participants age eight and older.
Join a CRD Parks naturalist for a Winter Birds of Witty’s walk at Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park. During the 1 1/2-hour walk, discover who’s who at the lagoon, a popular bird hangout.
Check out the birds that haven’t flown south for the winter, preferring to spend time in southern Vancouver Island’s moderate climate.
Bring your own binoculars if you have them. Organizers will have a spotting scope to share.
The program runs from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, and participants are asked to meet in the nature centre at Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park, off Metchosin Road. The park is serviced by B.C. Transit routes 54 or 55.
Visit the many inhabitants of Mount Work Regional Park during a guided walk at Durrance Lake on Sunday. It will be a leisurely stroll around the picturesque Saanich lake. Just remember to wear waterproof footwear.
The program runs from 10:30 a.m. to noon Sunday. Meet at the Durrance Lake parking lot (off Durrance Close, off Willis Point Road).
Both programs are free. Walkers are asked to dress for the weather. Participants are advised to arrive 10 minutes before the start of the program and leave pets at home.
Go to crd.bc.ca/parks.
Wedding services on display
Find the perfect bridal attire, ring, venue, hairstylist, florist, honeymoon location and other elements that make for a memorable wedding day at the Bridal Exhibition at Pearkes Recreation Centre on Sunday.
The event is Vancouver Island’s longest-running wedding trade show, a resource for brides and grooms for more than 20 years. It’s also the largest, with up to 65 professionals who can organize every aspect of the special day. Four hundred couples and up to 3,000 family and guests are expected to attend.
“While we typically welcome more brides-to-be, lately we have noticed an increasing number of guys taking more interest,” said Beckie Ross, event co-producer.
Fashion shows will feature this year’s gowns and formal wear, as well as men’s fashions and stage presentations.
Ross said one presentation — Destination Wedding 101 — is sure to attract a crowd. “More and more, it is a growing trend to incorporate a destination wedding,” she said.
Seminar topics include First Time Home Ownership and Picture Perfect Wedding Flowers.
Advance tickets are $13 and $15 at the door. The show runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The centre is at 3100 Tillicum Rd.
Go to bridalexhibition.ca.
Get advice on pilgrimage
Find out what’s involved in a modern-day pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago trail in Spain at Camino 101 at the Mary Winspear Centre on Saturday.
The 3 1/2-hour seminar is hosted by Victoria Camino, a group founded in 2004 by recently returned pilgrims. It is intended as a primer for anyone who plans to walk, cycle or journey on horseback along one of the many Camino de Santiago routes.
It may also be of interest for those who are just curious about what is involved in this kind of trek.
There will be a slide show and a panel answering questions about walking/travelling alone, cost, lodging, how to get there, distance, training and what to pack.
Admission is $15. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave., Sidney. There will be free coffee at break time.
The session repeats in Nanaimo from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 21 in Room 1 at the Bowen Park Complex, 500 Bowen Rd., Nanaimo.
On March 25, the group will host a Spring Pilgrim Gathering, its largest gathering of the year, with registration and more details to come in mid-February. For more information, go to victoriacamino.ca/events.
Follow the crowd to Hamelin show
Hamelin, A New Fable is a comedic musical retelling of the Pied Piper of Hamelin tale being staged at the University of Victoria on Sunday.
Presented by the Axis Theatre, the production features five professional actor/musicians using masks and puppets.
The Vancouver-based theatre group is known for its repertoire of entertaining, smart and inspirational plays that engage young and young-at-heart audiences.
Tickets are $22.50 for adults, $18.50 for alumni, seniors and students, and $15.50 for children 12 and under. Family packs are $66 for two adults and two children. The performance runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Farquhar Auditorium.
Tickets are at tickets.uvic.ca. Go to events.uvic.ca for details.
