r/mermaiding

Hello. I have been mermaiding a few times, but I rarely liked it. Sometimes I felt like a mermaid in the water, but most of the times it was not fun. I don't like to swim in general. So I tried photoshoot in a tail. The first time I did it, it was awesome, but next two times, I didn't like it.

It's hard for me to accept that I don't like it. I think putting my tails away a few weeks or months would help me. But I don't know what to do with my passion for merfolks.

I had a VERY bad experience with a popular trainer and mermaid in the community. It’s been three years since I attended a course with them, and I haven’t spoken on it until now. It’s very intimidating as this company has 5 star reviews all around and this mer is very well known. I feel insane having been the only person with this experience it seems and I wonder if anyone else has had something like this as well within the community and are too scared to come forward.
I attended a retreat held by a mermaid club with about 7 people total. I hadnt met anyone beforehand, but was excited. I drove a few hours to the location and was greeted somewhat warmly. It was basic mermaid training with optional offerings as well. Everyone knew each other and the club’s leaders got on pretty well with the instructor. This turned out to be a huge reason why I was injured, left in open water, and ignored most of the training.

Beginning with being uncertain on how to attach gear, and did not receive any help. Instructor was chatting with the leaders. I tried to get the attention of the instructor but was unable as all the girls were already heading out into the water. I managed to figure it out and followed. From there, I paid attention to the things being taught, made a buddy, and made it through most of the day just following what I could see/hear from others. I didn’t get a chance for any 1:1, feedback, or any coaching at what I was doing from the instructor as they were with the leaders of the club all day. Most of the time I heard them speaking about social media. I felt I had accidentally attended a networking event lol.

On one of the last things taught, an underwater upside down turn-like thing, I was with my buddy, another attendee, not a member of the club either. It was just the two of us in the area we were in, all others in the group besides us two had completed this portion. When it was time to show I could do this maneuver, the instructor was 30 yards away chatting with the club leaders. (I am not even sure how they would have known if I did this correctly, but whatever). I guess they would have just believed me if I told them?
I attempted it, and pinched a nerve in my neck immediately. Thank god my husband was nearby while I did this day of training and had arrived back as we were set to wrap up shortly. I swam to the entrance of the water, and he helped me up and I found a spot in the dirt to lie down. I cried from pain and being confused and disappointed. The instructor came over eventually and asked if I was okay. I said no, I had injured my neck. They said some Tylenol would help, then everyone else was out of the water and chatting/getting changed, etc.
Nobody else in the group talked to me 😅 just vibed in the dirt. Everyone headed out and had planned to do dinner together or something I think.

I was lying down after everyone left, for about half an hour until I felt okay to move around. The instructor came back, seemed annoyed, and said I left gear in the water on a dock. I apologized and explained again that I had been injured and couldn’t retrieve it at the time. I felt bad for not offering to go back in to get it but I physically couldnt. She walked past myself and husband and swam the few feet to grab it, and walked past us without saying anything else. I didn’t get the certification since I didn’t finish. (There were one or two things left maybe? Idk).
listen, I signed the waivers. I get it. But ive never been around such mean girl energy. I have no idea how this company has such rave reviews as fundamental aspects seemed unsafe, and people in the course were ignored if they didnt have social media questions to grow their pages.

It felt good to finally share this, and while I think other experiences would help me feel better, id feel best to know nobody else went through this.

First post in this community (and on my new Reddit account, hi!)

I’m finally spending my adult money on a dream tail, but I’m conflicted on monofins, and I would love some people’s input to help me make a decision!

Context first: I’m in Ireland, I can’t get swimming very often, but I’ve had a monofin since I was 14.

I’m buying a tail from Magictail[dot]net soon, and I see that they’ve switched to the Finfun fin at some point. Though I can’t get swimming super often, I do prefer a more traditional monofin, like my Finis, rather than the fabric foot pocket style of the Finfun ones. I was looking into the Mermaid Linden monofin then, which feels like a good substitution.

Unfortunately, being in Ireland, shipping for the Linden is a hassle! The website doesn’t ship outside the US and I have no one to forward a parcel to me, so my only option is through eBay, which works out at €140 😵‍💫 There’s a part of me that’s thinking I should just get the Finfun one — €80 — with my tail order, since I won’t get swimming very often, but when it comes to actually swimming, I’d like to have a proper monofin, so I wonder if that €80 could be better put towards the Linden. I’m willing to spend money if it’s the right fin for me, but there’s next to no secondary market for mermaid stuff in Ireland, so I can’t exactly afford to be wrong in my decision, yknow?

My worry about the Linden then is replacement straps. Out of stock on their website, and don’t ship to my country anyway. Finis straps are available here, but I don’t know if they’d fit the Linden?

Help! Can anyone just give me their thoughts on this? Opinions on the Linden and whether it‘s worth it, whether the Finfun is better than I suspect— even whether people buy fins on this subreddit so I can decide if the risk is worth it? Many thanks to any input!

hi, i would like to know how to learn the skills required for mermaiding since i've barely seen any tutorials/advice on this sub, especially if you could show me practice outside of water, thanks!

I live in Australia, where for my town, it is SO COLD

I have been yearning for a swim, but none of the indoor heated pools in my vicinity allow tails. I cant easily access pools further away as I use public transport, and we have so little of it in my area. I also dont know anyone who owns a pool, and nobody in this area rents out their personal pools.

I can get to the beach via the public transport, and have done many a time in the summer, but there are two cons to this: 1. I have to swim alone because its everybody else's working hours/days when I can get to the beach. Very unsafe. 2. There is nothing between that beach and Antartica, so the water gets INCREDIBLY cold during Winter.

What would you guys do? Im desperate for a swim 😅😅

Mermaid Lucia Web Pattern Mermaid Tail Adult Cosplay 9 Color Options

How do we feel about this y’all?? Ik they’ve been under fire for using AI, this looks like another culprit honestly…

Been looking for anything at all on here to echo how I feel but there’s not much

I’m a mermaid at a residency that people DREAM to get into and little to they know the pay is not only subpar, but we also get our checks in small chunks randomly, often months later

My mer sisters mostly seem happy to be there ( though there’s a few others who feel the same) and I’m just confused. Yes I love the mermaid life , but at least in my case I feel this residency exploits us as entertainers because so many merfolk are just happy to be there and would do it for free in their own time anyways.

I feel the disparity between the folks who come from money or have money and can get away with not getting paid, versus those of us who have a true love for this but are also working artists and use our skills as part of our livelihoods.

I plan on doing private gigs and I guess this was a good way to get my fins wet , I’m just surprised I don’t see more frank conversations about this. Lots of clout around getting these positions but not as much transparency as there should be on the reality of it.

Would love to know more about other mermaid residencies and if it’s the same.

Would love to hear from other residency mermaids on your experiences.