Taking The Plunge

A 1933 issue of life magazine

Ever since I saw the movie Splash, the obsession with the sea, its amazing creatures and those mythical goddesses has never faded. My very first mermaid tail was made for me by mom when I was 6 or 7, right after I saw the movie Splash. We literally left the theater and went straight to the fabric store. The last tail I had was at about age 10, and neither of these were made for the water.
I had always planned on making one I could swim in, but life gets in the way as it so often does.
After many years, I'm finally embarking on the adventure of becoming a mermaid.
Below is a quote and a link from an an amazing article on today's growing number of mermaids, and the history behind it all:
thenewinquiry.com - "Neither Fish Nor Flesh"

"...all these mermaids reappearing may signal a shift not only for women but for gender roles generally. Slipping on a tail, and the mythic identity that comes with it, is sacred, powerful. It evokes the freedom of being beyond gender, for a moment, while at the same time tapping into a primal female power so rarely expressed. The undercurrent of the mermaid’s power, suppressed by Disney and other cultural forces, is returning, in all its ferocious, primal energy of transformation."

Currently residing in California for about 6 years, I grew up in Seattle near the water and spent a lot of time in and around the ocean. I have a connection with the sea that is unwavering, and was almost born on a sailboat while my mother was at the wheel. I had learned how to swim before I could walk, and while I don't get to swim as much as I'd like these days, I find myself yearning for the waves. Even a calm lake, a slow river... a cool blue swimming pool even makes me want to jump in.

This blog will document my journey and challenges of making a basic swimmable tail, strengthening, breath practice and exercise to be a strong swimmer again. Hair/skin/eye health will also be documented when swimming regularly, and my findings on how to combat any adverse effects of swimming with my eyes open underwater. Out of all this, the eyes will probably be my biggest challenge. I can always start off in goggles.
Last but not least, I will eventually acquire a more realistic silicone tail made by renowned tail-makers; Finfolk Productions. My goal for that is Spring of 2015.

What exactly will I do with my dream fins and this journey?
I plan to start this as a hobby, hitting conventions, swim gatherings and other gatherings of fellow mermaids. But I'd also like to do event entertainment & appearances and build a name for myself in the mermaid world. I'd love to participate in things such as festivals, side shows, modeling and representing the growing mermaid effort to help conserve ocean wildlife and habitat. Even the occasional children's party or event. My options are only as limited as I choose them to be.
xoxo