Catalina, World-Famous Mermaid And Fantasy Entertainer
California
The Siren to the Stars! Catalina is one of the world’s most highly trained professional mermaids and is renowned as one of the best working professional mermaid entertainers in the mermaid industry.
As of April 2021 she became the first PADI Mermaid Instructor Trainer living in the Continental USA and can often be seen working behind the scenes teaching certification classes, coordinating our largest projects including our private and corporate Diamond Clients where the event budget is $200,000+, and teaching our Mermaids in Training as they learn how to excel in their work.
Catalina Mermaid actively serves as our LA Mermaid School Lead Trainer, underwater shoot coordinator, and mermaid film adviser to the Hollywood film industry where she lends her deep comprehension of safety, film, and set work to help camera crews to save time and money. Catalina has fifteen years of on location underwater coordinator experience and saves film shoots an average of 3 hours - 2 full days of shooting time due to her intensive experience, broad water skill set, and forward thinking approach to anticipating and minimizing issues on underwater sets.
Cataline in one of her sequin style shimmer tails
“Catalina was great - super engaged with the children, so kind and fun. The kids had a great time! Thanks for everything :)”
“Catalina was AMAZING! Our nanny commented that she was the best performer she’d ever seen at a party. She interacted with the kids primarily and made it a priority. She was great!”
Catalina (green tail) swimming at a private event at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.
Catalina performing at Ocean Institute Aquarium for guests.
Catalina, working with sharks, eels, and other aquatics for Amazon.com working at The Aquarium of the Pacific
Green silicone mermaid tail photo by Ron Tencati
Purple Mythic mermaid tail and wig photo by Abe Lojero
Blue Mythic style mermaid tail
Blue mythic mermaid tail photo
Catalina Mermaid swimming on continuous breath hold underwater for Sheroes Entertainment wearing her blue scale-style mermaid tail. Footage by Nicole Coleman.
Catalina Mermaid with Pirate John
The United States' elite professional character entertainer to both Hollywood and foreign royalty including Jessica Simpson, Channing Tatum, President Bush, First Lady Hilary Clinton, and President Carter
The expert pro-fish-onal who developed LA Mermaid School - the United States' leading professional mermaid training program
Published author of Be a Real-Life Mermaid available on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.
Acclaimed by guests as "the living Ariel," a real-life natural redhead who closely resembles the lead character from Disney's renowned feature film, The Little Mermaid
“She makes [underwater mermaid work] look so graceful. She’s one of the world’s most renown mermaids!”
“One of my favorite underwater models. Not only is she very accomplished business owner and rescue diver, totally gorgeous but one of the sweetest most generous and loving people I’ve ever met. She deserves all the success in the world!”
“One of the best in the business!”
Lifeguard Certified
Catalina's Resume
SCUBA, Swim, & Diving Credentials:
PADI, Mermaid Instructor Trainer (includes all levels of PADI Mermaid Program)
PADI, Freediver
PADI, Emergency Oxygen Provider
PADI, SCUBA Rescue Diver
PADI, SCUBA Advanced Open Water Diver
PADI, SCUBA Open Water Diver
SSI, SCUBA Dive Master
SSI, SCUBA Dive Guide
SSI, SCUBA Science of Diving
Emergency & Safety Services Certifications & Affiliations:
Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) SCUBA Dive Team Trained
FEMA, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
American Red Cross Adult, Child, and Infant First Aid, CPR, and AED Instructor
American Red Cross Lifeguard and Lifeguard Instructor
American Red Cross Babysitting Instructor
Mermaid & Modeling Training:
Freediving / Apnea Breath Hold Training
Max static breath hold: 3 minutes 5 seconds
Max dynamic / underwater swimming breath hold: 2 minutes 23 seconds
Underwater Modeling & Buoyancy Control Coach
Underwater Makeup and Wig Application
Underwater Costume Design
Pool Water Clarity and Preparation Protocols for Underwater Shoots
Open & Confined Water Mermaid Technique
LA Mermaid School Founder & Training Staff Supervisor
Aquarium & Event-Specific Experience:
Children's Event Entertainment Coordinator for Over 1,200 Events
Aquarium of the Pacific Volunteer Exhibit Diver
Los Angeles County Fair "Knight Show" Director and Creative Lead
Ocean Institute Children's Mermaid Shows & Swim Encounter Development Lead
Ventura Harbor Mermaid
Fish For Life Open Water Appearance for Disabled Children
Aquatic American Sign Language (ASL) Basic Terminology and Teaching Methods
Aquatic Life Illness and Disease Symptom Identification
Cleaning Protocols for Aquarium Habitats
Dive Locker Equipment Storage and Cleaning
Guest Interaction & Customer Service
OSHA & ISO Standard Awareness for Scientific Diving Facilities
SCUBA Specialty Certifications and Training:
Buddy Phone - Underwater Communications
Cylinder Refill Station Protocols and Safety Precautions
Dam & Water Storage Facility Diving
Deep Diving
Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV)
Dry Suit Diving
Emergency Oxygen / O2 Provider
FEMA Incident Command Structure Relating to Dive Operations
Full Face Mask (FFM) - Guardian
Helicopter Jump Entries in SCUBA Gear
Neoprene Care and Cleaning
Lift Bags
Night Diving
Remote Controlled Sonar and Underwater Camera Robotics Usage
Ropes & Rappelling Protocols for Water Entries in SCUBA Gear
Search & Recovery
Shark Diving (Black Reef Tip Sharks)
SMB & DSMB Marking and Reel Management
Underwater Navigation
Underwater Vehicle Recovery
Children's Safety Certifications
Los Angeles Archdiocese, Vertus Certification
US Olympic Committee, Safe Sport Certification
Archery Certifications
US Archery, Level 3-NTS (National Training System) Coach
US Archery, Level 1 & Level 2 Instructor Trainer
US Archery Level 1 Judge
Girl Scouts of Central California, Archery Instructor Trainer
Girl Scouts of Central California, Archery Patch Program Creator
Partial TV & Commercial Credits
"Reach" AFI Short Film - Supporting
L'Oreal Paris' La Mer 50th Anniversary Heritage Event Film - Principal
Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles - Supporting
Facts & Fintasea - Principal
Mermaid Encounter - Principal
Neverland - Principal
Coastal Carnival - Principal
Los Angeles County Fair - Principal
Deadliest Warrior - Principal
Couples Therapy - Weapons Specialist
Marriage Bootcamp - Weapons Specialist
Shoot to Thrill - Weapons Specialist
Memberships & Education
Catalina performing at Carolina Renaissance Festival. Photo by Ron Tencati, tank by Circus Siren.
Dual degree in biomedical & mechanical engineering from the University of Southern California (USC)
Diver's Alert Network (DAN)
SAG-AFTRA Actress & Stuntwoman
USA Archery, Coach and Judge
Additional information
Experienced water safety team lead & underwater shoot production coordinator
Trained in underwater modeling, face painting, balloon twisting, glitter tattoos, children's games development, aquarium show production, and costuming
Multiple mermaid tail wardrobe options available (gold, green, white)
US Passport for International Travel
“A consummate professional.”
Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles - Season 8
Catalina, in 35 pounds of steel plate metal armor, underwater working on set with Brett Stanley, photographer
Mermaid Shows Featuring Catalina Mermaid
(c) Terri Brindisi; Catalina Mermaid performing underwater magic tricks at Dive Bar Sacramento as part of "Coastal Carnival"
Double Tap or Click on any of the below images to view a larger size:
“Thank you for an amazing evening! My guests and I were very impressed with your service. You were the talk of the evening. You’re absolutely worth every dollar!”
“It was so amazing seeing you in person! Your show was a treasure that will stay in my heart forever♡ I can’t wait to tell my children and grandchildren that I saw mermaids in an underwater circus! Beautiful!”
“I walked into the office today and heard one of my employees going on and on about the mermaid at her friend’s daughter’s party. She showed me a picture of the mermaid with the birthday girl - and it was you! You really wowed everyone, and I was happy to tell her about all the other amazing stuff you do! :D”
“Thank you so much for making our morning truly fabulous! Your costume, attitude, enthusiasm, and art are all so fabulously amazing. I truly enjoyed working with you...you have the engaging element of fantasy that captivates children.”
DOUBLE TAP OR Click on any of the below images to view a larger size:
Newspaper and Written Press Coverage from the OC Register
Click here to view the article. Photos by Mindy Schauer for the OC Register
Click on a video below to see Catalina Mermaid in Action!
Catalina Mermaid diving and swimming in the Channel Islands and off Catalina Island (California)
Catalina Mermaid Freediving in Underwater Caves in Mexico
Catalina Mermaid and Merman Jax swimming at a pool party
Images on this page are the courtesy of Sheroes Entertainment LLC, Alloy Images, Brenda Stumpf, Billy Lee Photography, Chris Ward, Lee Roth, and Angeleno Magazine.
Catalina's Story
Get ready to party!!!! Catalina Mermaid is the fin-tastic Mermaid Film Team Lead here at Sheroes Entertainment and is the tidal force behind our water team's activities and shows!
Catalina is a 100% genuine California Mermaid (A Goldenstate Yellowtail to be exact!) and has the special ability to transform her mermaid tail between ocean green and the magnificent Goldenstate Gold mermaid tail that distinguishes her species.
Always a precocious mermaid, Catalina grew up hiding in the kelp forests of Santa Catalina Island off of the Southern California coastline where she would sneak up to the surface and watch television off of the bows of moored yachts in the Avalon Harbor. Enchanted by the numerous "tails" that the screen showed she decided to follow the boats back to the mainland and start her journey to become Hollywood's Mermaid, a regular Siren of the Silver Screen!
Hollywood responded extremely well to Catalina Mermaid and word soon carried across the seven seas about this "golden gill" and her knack with people. Soon fashion designers, authors, and other fun creatives were inviting her all over the world!
Catalina Mermaid made international headlines when she worked at Chateau du Fontainebleau as its first mermaid in history as part of Paris Fashion Week, was featured in US Weekly and Backstage Magazine, Swam for Million Dollar Listing LA, created the "Mermaid Encounter" mermaid show for the Ocean Institute Aquarium, founded the aquatic areas of Los Angeles’ two largest masquerade balls, trained the Buzzfeed staff in "mermaiding,"and was featured in six national magazines for her otherworldly underwater work.
We'll tell you a secret though - despite her fintastic resume Hollywood's Mermaid loves birthday cake. Chocolate cake, strawberry cake, octopus cake on a pop - the promise of a swimming pool or beach birthday party with real genuine birthday cake is enough to get this Avalon-based mermaid high tailing it to the mainland to spread some extra special birthday party cheer!
When she isn't swimming in front of the camera as Hollywood's Mermaid, Catalina Mermaid leads an extremely active life helping others in water-related disasters and enjoying her ocean home under the historic Avalon Casino Building in Avalon, California on Santa Catalina Island. In her time off she loves listening to vintage movies above her in the Casino Building movie theater and swapping safety tips with the local Harbor Patrol and SCUBA diving instructors.