Mermaiding is also referred to as artistic mermaid performance. It can be defined as the act of swimming while wearing a mermaid costume consisting of a colorful tail (often made from silicone), a marine looking bra, sea-themed accessories and so on. It is basically taking the merrmaid cosplay, to the next level by choosing to do it in public.
With time, mermaiding as an activity has become so well-known that people do it both for fun and as a profession. No wonder – seaside tycoons quickly learned that mermaid performers are a great way to attract customers to their water parks and swimming pools. Mermaid performers are always an extra attraction, mostly thanks to their mermaid shows. (A mermaid show is a performance that takes place in a swimming pool, with the performer dressed up as a mermaid. It can be done for entertainment purposes or for educational purposes, such as teaching children about aquatic life, etc.)
Across the world, there are many mermaid shows and conferences being held. If you are curious about the three biggest mermaid festivals, you can find information here, but don’t click away yet: there’s still a lot that you can learn from this article. Nowadays, mermaiding is so popular, that it’s considered a sport in the US and is even a division of the USA Artistic Swimming Associations!
In April of 2021, 110 mermaids performed at the Atlantic resort in China, setting a new world record for the largest underwater mermaid display. Professional mermaids, sometimes called water ballerinas, perform in shows, movies, and photographs. These elaborate outfits are a far cry from the simple tunics worn by the first mermaids hundreds of years ago. This is because materials for making the costumes have become more accessible. (If you are curious how to make a professional mermaid cosplay, click here).
Mermaiding has drawn a lot of people to it due to the freedom, benefits, and acceptance associated with it. The Society of Fat Mermaids, which is located in Washington DC, supports mermaiding that doesn’t judge people on their physical appearances.
Che Monique, the person who established the society, says that under the sea, no one feels judged, and there is room for everyone. “I’m what some would consider overweight, but that doesn’t bother me when I’m in water since no one really cares. Most of the merfolk are escaping from the hurt they have gotten in this chaotic world,” she said with mixed emotions of pride and disappointment.
Mermaiding is very popular with transgender people, too, as the mermaid community has been consequently providing a safe haven for many. In general, people who engage in mermaiding do agree that life underwater is kinder, and it’s easier to be oneself, away from the chaos and critics of life on land. Some feel they become superstars once they have put their mermaid tails on.
For others, like Australian mermaid Annette Kellerman, mermaiding helps in physical healing, too. Because she suffered from rickets, she turned to mermaiding to help her improve her leg strength. After becoming a legal adult, she went to Europe to attempt to swim the continent’s most famous rivers.
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