WITH childhood memories of seeing mermaids in Orlando, I never pictured myself putting on a tail.
Here is how I transformed into a mermaid for the day at Ireland’s first and only live mermaid experience.
Walking into the undersea world at MerMazing Mermaids in Puddenhill, Meath really was mesmerising.
My eyes were drawn to the custom-built aquarium style pool with viewing windows.
I was whisked into a changing room where I squeezed myself into the tightest tail.
Next, it was time to add the heavy, rubber-like mermaid fin.
After a quick transformation, I wobbled my way to the pool’s edge.
I was thrown right into the deep end and learned how to swim with a tail.
I got used to having the tail very fast but swimming down low was my biggest challenge.
I pushed myself down as low as I could go, kept arms by my sides and focused on exaggerated movements.
After countless attempts, I finally got down deep and felt the tail gliding through the water.
Instructor and owner Lynn Harvey admitted becoming a “mermaid is harder than it looks” – and I certainly agree.
She said: “A girl could be the most fantastic swimmer but if she cannot perform in the window and you cannot connect through the glass it’s not going to work here. So she might be work on that.
“Some of them are fantastic in the window but they haven’t got the body movements.
“But there’s not many people that I couldn’t train. I’d know in 10 minutes whether they could be trained or not.
“Some of them I could nearly have them ready in two weeks. Others it just might take a few weeks. It honestly depends on the girl.”
AUDITIONS
Last month, 20 hopeful mermaids-to-be applied to audition to be part of the MerMazing show.
Lynn said: “About 20 people applied and about eight of them just decided ‘oh god I can’t do it’ and backed out of it there and then.
“I think I called in six or eight of them who I thought maybe had some potential. So that was out of 20.”
Some of the auditionees admitted the “reality” of being a mermaid “was a bit too much”.
Lyn continued: “So it’s really not for everyone because it’s so daunting. They’re doing this thing that looks great in a video but it’s harder.
“I’ve had girls that come in and they pick it up straight away and I know on session one that they’re going to get it.
“There’s other girls take a little bit longer. There’s other girls that have the movement but they’re not good in the window and their face can’t settle.”
ALL IN
The facility welcomes 60 guests per show while mermaids greet the audience with balloons and slushies.
Dubliner Lynn decided to create her own live mermaid experience in Ireland after being inspired on social media.
She said: “I was scrolling on Instagram and a video came up of a mermaid in a window, very like my pool. And I said that’s it and I started researching the next morning.”
The former professional boxer explained that once she has an idea, she goes all in.
Lynn began swim training so she could train how to swim as a mermaid.
She said: “I started training I’d say within three months, my actual swim training.
“Then becoming qualified as a mermaid instructor was probably three months.
“Then I started business courses and marketing courses. I did so many courses back to back.”
Lynn added: “I just wanted something new to sink my teeth into, something outside the box.”
THE EXPERIENCE
After keeping her new biz on the down low for two years, MerMazing Mermaids was finally launched.
As well as the mermaid live shows, pop-in visits and birthdays, Lynn and the team recently hosted a free show for senior citizens from local nursing homes.
The Ballybrack woman said: “This was a massive success; they had a ball watching our mermaids.
“They met them, sang and danced with them and got photos with them. It was a very moving and an emotional experience for the elderly residents and all of our staff.
“So much so that we had a meeting and decided to volunteer our time and services to host the next event free of charge.
“We aim to do some of these complimentary gigs a few times a year.”
Little ones can also try out the mermaid swim lessons on Sunday mornings with a qualified swim coach and lifeguard.
Or for those who prefer land, enjoy mermaid chats while getting pampered in the glam zone.
- To find out more see mermazingmermaids.ie.
