Adventuretimefantic's longer updates

Veterans guide to mermaiding

Time for a really niche subject, as just need to yap about it because I have a new tail in the mail and I'm very impatient about it. So I'm bringing you all my wisdom, 13 years of it!

The basics

Ever seen those videos of people in elaborate Swimmable mermaid tails performing in fish tanks and stuff? That is the professional side of mermaiding, something pretty hard to secure a job in given it requires unique skills and there's just not many aquariums out there that allow that kind of thing. But it's not just a job, it's a hobby/community. Some people don't like this comparison, but it is a factual one... we are similar to furries. In the fact that we dress as something non-human, have mersonas/OCs, have a market for custom made tails, do meetups etc. we're the half human- aquatic equivalent to a furry I'm afraid. Minus the sex stuff (yes I know not all furries do the sex stuff, but I bring it up because there's practically zero of it amongst us merfolk because well, we have tails. You can't really fuck in a tail without having to cut holes in your expensive tails).

I've been in the community since I was a kid in 2012, and first swam in a tail in 2013. So I've got literally over a decade of experience here. And let me tell you, while it is a fairly accessible hobby given you have a place to swim, it isn't for everyone. It is a physical activity, swimming in dolphin kick WITH a tail on requires a certain level of skill. I'm not sure what it's like in other countries, but in Australia we have swimming lessons as part of our school curriculum, and do it every year around summer. If you don't fail any of the years, you should know how to swim dolphin kick buy at least grade 6-7. So yes, kids CAN swim in tails, but I'd HIGHLY advise against kids younger than at least 10 doing so. Unless it's a case where that kid does swimming as a sport and is at a high level at a young age. Too many dumb parents have given their toddlers tails thinking it's a toy, and then gotten mad at the tail when their kid almost drowns.

Children who are skilled enough to use a tail also need to be supervised by a parent/guardian while swimming, because accidents can happen to anyone and while an adult has better chances of getting out alive , a kid doesn't. So if you want to get into mermaiding, here's my recommendations:

-be over 10 years old, or at least a level 6 swimming level.
-you MUST know how to swim dolphin kick.
-you MUST know water safety like back floats, breath hold, how to signal for help etc.
-learn how to do a quick flipper/monofin release just in case you need to get out of the tail ASAP.
-practice with the monofin only first.
-practice in a pool before going into rivers, lakes, the sea etc. don't swim in water you can't reach the bottom of until you're ready.
-children MUST have an adult present.

TAILS ARE NOT TOYS. They are swim accessories.

Tail types

First, let me explain the anatomy of a Swimmable tail.
The skin refers to the fabric part of the tail, the part that goes over your legs.
The monofin refers to the flipper in the end, both your feet go into the pockets and are secured with a heel strap. Some have sock like pockets instead. They're made of either a tough but bendable plastic, rubber or silicone.
A vinyl insert is a pocket that goes over a monofin to fit a custom fluke shape. Typically used in neoprene tails.

Spandex/Lycra
The cheapest and most accessible option, great for beginners and hobbyists. Can be made at home using a pattern (plenty free ones online) or purchased online for under $100 the smaller the size. There's plenty of patterns and colours available, but limited fluke shapes as they're made to fit particular monofins. Most online will come with a monofin fit for it, but you can buy the skin alone if you already have a monofin. Can be washed by putting in a mesh washing bag and throwing it into the washing machine.