Being A Mermaid Is An Unusual Yet Fully-Fledged Profession! Did You Know?

Monday, March 21 2016, 11:13:09

Priya Motiani

Blogger

Being A Mermaid Is An Unusual Yet Fully-Fledged Profession! Did You Know?

JWB Post

March 3, 2016

After seeing this video, your fancy for mermaids will either increase manifold or will extinguish entirely.

There is something known as the professional merfolk community that comprises of mermen, mermaids, and merchildren, who swim with a big fancy tail replacing their feet. Recently, this community participated in the 2016 NC Mermania Convention in the Greensboro Aquatic Centre, North Carolina. And may I say these folks look jaw-droopingly suave and adorable while at work?

But apparently, being a mermaid is not as charming as it seems. These people have their own (slimy) share of struggles. For instance, how does ‘diving 15 feet deep while holding breath for as long as 3 minutes, and while keeping eyes open, and also while smiling at the same time’ sound?

Cringing, right?

Well, these are only among the few aspects of their work-life, or should I say marine-life?

“The breath hold is extremely challenging. It’s a mind game, your mind is telling you, you need oxygen. You just have to stay calm,” says Hannah Fraser, one of the 200 mermaids, mermen and merchildren attending NC Mermania. Popularly known as Hannah Mermaid, she has worked as a mermaid midst real fishes for about 13 years.

“By creating these images that show a connection and symbiotic relationship between humans and animals, people can find they can approach the ocean in an entirely different way: without fear,” Hannah adds.

“I love the magic on a child’s face when there’s something that’s supposed to be a myth sitting right in front of them,” says Shannon Rauch, another member of the merfolk community.

“People want to ‘tail swim’ immediately without taking baby steps, but you have to have the right training, first,” mentions Marla Spellenberg, a mermaid since 1969.

And if you think the profession is an all ladies game, you couldn’t be more wrong.

This is what Christian O’Brocki, one of the mermen, has to say:

“I’ve been broke a couple times doing this job, but it always comes back to you eventually. Why should the girls get to have all the fun? For all the little merboys out there, I’m going to say if you want to wear a tail, you put that on, if you want to swim in the sea and be happy because it’s fun, just go for it.”

Well, this is as interesting as things get. But I personally do not fancy the idea of having my legs clad in a tight tail-like lower body costume. The very image is sending shivers down my spine!

Tell us what do you think about this profession?