Getting into mermaiding

Maybe you fell in love with mermaids from watching ‘The Little Mermaid’ or perhaps Madison from Splash, or just fancy yourself a fish, and now you want to swim like a mermaid. Great, this article is for you.Before jumping into the deep end, figuratively or literally, make sure you are a strong enough swimmer. You should be able to swim at least 25m/80ft without swimming aids, and be able to float comfortably at the surface for at least 3 minutes. Then, make sure you practice swimming with the monofin only before donning the mermaid skin.Always start in water where you can stand before attempting deeper water. Either as a beginner, or whenever you change your tail or equipment worn, and only swim in a tail where you can safely swim without one. Stay out of any zone where entanglement is possible  (ex: kelp) or through objects where you could get caught (ex: hoops).Other safety considerations should be to ALWAYS swim with a buddy, even if there is a lifeguard. The buddy doing safety should be wearing bi-fins and not a monofin. Also, don’t be afraid to stop!   Wearing a tail and monofin can be overwhelming, so always swim to your ability.

If you’re investing in equipment, here are some considerations for you:

Monofin
Make sure to choose a reputable manufacturer such as Linden from BodyGlove or Finis. You want to make sure it’s safe, durable, and can be removed quickly in an emergency.Stay very far away from cheap copies available on Wish, Aliexpress, Temu, etc., as these can be extremely dangerous due to the materials used or how the feet are bound into the fin.

Tail skin
You’ll find many choices for every budget when choosing a tail skin. Start with a fabric or thin neoprene tail, as silicone tails should be reserved for advanced performers due to their weight and maneuverability. Choose from a reputable manufacturer and be mindful of stolen artwork. You want to make sure the tail fits properly and has ample drainage openings, which reduces drag and increases safety.

Where to get started

There are more and more mermaid enthusiasts and mermaiding opportunities. You can join a mermaid pod in your area, or start one up if there aren’t. You can also look for a mermaid certification!

Mermaid certification now exists from reputable agencies like PADI and SSI. These are long-established education systems for scuba diving and freediving. In a certification, you not only learn about mermaiding techniques, but freediving and safety techniques as well.

When choosing a school or instructor, you want to ensure they are safe. 

Some of the things to look for are: group size, should be no more than 4 students at a time if children, maximum of 6 if students are adults. Instructors should hold professional liability insurance (which is different than performer insurance), as well as current CPR & first aid certification. Since breath holds are involved, access to a complete first aid kit and oxygen kit should be on site. And if swimming in open water, a freediving buoy should be used at all times.

Mermaiding is an amazing activity that is fun, and a great workout, with a great inclusive community. Just remember that as much fun as mermaiding can be, your first concern should always be safety. Please be mindful on your mermaiding journey, from your first fin flip in the water, to choosing the right equipment for you, as well as when joining mermaid pods or getting certifications.