I Love Being A Mermaid!

There are good health and environmental reasons to don a tail, swim underwater and gather on beaches…

- Clare Cassy

Helen Morley has always been fascinated by mermaids. While other little girls dressed up as princesses, Helen would be a mermaid.

And 40-odd years later, she regularly morphs into a real-life siren of the sea – along with 20 or 30 other mermaids and mermen.

They make a real splash in their beautiful fishtails in colours from pearly pink to vibrant blue and orange. Their owners are clearly proud to show them off, both in and out of the water. Helen’s is a gorgeous, shimmering emerald green.

Reinforced with a specially designed “monofin”, it has a beautiful realistic shape which helps swimming. Helen flips fins with fellow Merfolk at least once a month at various Tidal gatherings around the country. All keen and proficient swimmers, gatherings take place in both public and private pools, with sessions only open to Merfolk.

“We do breathing and relaxation exercises to gain more time underwater, learn free-diving techniques from qualified free-diving instructors and have our pictures taken under water. I’ve even learned to give ‘mermaid kisses’ which is blowing bubbles in a very controlled way under water.”