Marina Mermaid Shimmer and Sparkle Kit, 17 Litre

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In the USA, there are thriving mermaid communities in Texas, California and New England. But thanks to its bountiful springs, year-round swimming, and herds of manatees – once mistaken by sailors for beautiful sea-maidens – Florida has become mermaiding central. And the epicenter? None other than Citrus and Pasco counties – where I grew up. Mermaiding can be a hobby, a lifestyle, or even a profession – many merfolk work as performers and mermaid instructors. The rise of mermaiding in the past decade has even led to mermaid tourism, with merfolk traveling to swim in mermaiding hot spots and participate in events. Adopt some mer lingo like ‘shell-o’ (hello), ‘mermaiz-ing’ (amazing), and mer-sona (your mermaid alter ego). At the beginning of class, Mermaid Ina asks what our mersona is – of course, I’m Mermaid Eva.

Mermaid Aquarium - Etsy Mermaid Aquarium - Etsy

Guests marvel as Ducharme’s mermaids – many of whom, like Ducharme, got their start at Weeki Wachee – swim among fish while wearing silicone Mertailor tails so realistic you’d expect them to feel fishy when touched. One imperative for mermaiding, though, is strong swimming skills. Newcomers should also take a mermaid class to learn how to safely swim in a tail and monofin (a single swim fin inserted into the bottom of your ‘tail’). So where will you take your tail? Florida has gorgeous coasts, but its most popular mermaiding spots are its mild, clear springs, like Alexander Springs, Ginnie Springs and Rainbow Springs. Mermaid DD, a 51-year-old mermaid in Miami who performs as the String Siren, points out that while sea swimming is wonderful, “the sand and waves can make it more challenging, and [renting] boats cost money.” Note: not all springs allow tails.Mermaid community favorites include the Mertailor, Jurassic Merman and MerNation in Florida, Merbella Studios, the budget-friendly Fin Fun in Idaho, Mermaid Kariel in Hawai’i, MerrowFins, Mermaid Kat’s customizable silicone tails in Germany, and Kiki Von Mermaid, who sells custom accessories. Many merfolk have multiple tails. Resorts have gone way above with imagination to construct aquariums that are not only magnificent in design but huge in size. Some of these waters show the majestic sea life that you can only find in the deep waters of the sea. Get to see coral reefs, sharks, fish, turtles, and even mermaids. Who would have known that those childhood fairy tales were true! 1. Shark Reef Aquarium, Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Source: @mandalaybay Not only is the aquarium free it’s also one of the earliest aquariums to be installed in Las Vegas. The 50000-gallon tank features 300+ colored fish from international waters, e.g., pufferfish, triggerfish, and sharks. The Atlantis aquarium has the theme of the Atlantis city that fell according to history and myth.

Get into: mermaiding in Florida… how to swim with the fishes

I’m not ready for the springs just yet, so I drive to mermaid class, knees shaking. I meet Mermaid Ina and Mermaid Bettina – the latter is a new classmate, who’s just as nervous as I am. But when Mermaid Ina brings out her trunk o’ tails, Mermaid Bettina and I both scream like four-year-olds. My tail is purple; Mermaid Bettina’s is fuchsia. Shark Reef is famous for one thing. Yes, you guessed it right-sharks. The apex predators that eat almost every swimming thing in the sea waters are right here. The menacing carnivorous swim at the Mandalay is full of adrenaline, and you can’t help but appreciate the fact that you are on the other side of the action.The round shape of the tank allows you to explore the tank fully to see all the coral and animal life swimming. The fish are fed twice a day, and you can watch this action from 1.15 pm and 5.15 pm daily. Guided free tours are available at the lower step of the tank at 3.15 pm from Monday to Friday. Las Vegas is home to a lot of things. Entertainment is the capital shareholder of the city and a big attraction to the multitude of visitors coming into the city every day. The hotel industry is one of the biggest on and off the strip, with big resorts like the Wynn and MGM incorporating more than gambling and hotel rooms to keep you and make you a loyalist. If you ever wonder what a shark looks like a real up close or a sea turtle, you need to see one. Not in pictures and on cable but real close, like a few centimeters apart. And what better way to experience the sea effect than in an aquarium?

Fish Tank Mermaid - Etsy UK

Scientists talk of how flowing water and its flora and fauna make our brain release happy hormones and antidepressants. It is, therefore, a good medication rodeo to visit an aquatic life display. Aquariums are big in Vegas, and you can visit them to get the full aquatic concept of sea life. Enjoy vast pools of water at the Bass shops or the more intricate and involving excitement at the golden nugget. Either way, you will appreciate the value and beauty of the sea for sure. Then there are the mermaids!

Ducharme, 33, tells me that he’s been making tails since he was little using “duct tape and whatever I could find.” These days he uses spandex, water-repellent wetsuit material, or silicone, which he paints by hand. It contrasts the heated Fahrenheit in the city with the use of air conditioners and water pumps to keep the water at the right temperature as the sea. This is essential for the survival of the more than 2000 animals living there. The tank also has stingrays that you can feed at allocated park hours (daily, 1.30 pm-4.30 pm). Watch an interactive feeding program as the scuba divers feed animals in the water explaining the routine to you and answer questions. Mermaid Swim Free Show Source: @silvertoncasino