For many, mermaiding seems like a whimsical pastime, something reserved for fantasy lovers or Instagram influencers posing in sparkling tails. But in reality, mermaiding is an emerging watersport that is gaining traction worldwide—and it offers plenty of benefits, especially for those who already love being in the water.
While scuba diving lets you explore the underwater world with gear, and snorkeling gives you a relaxed surface experience, mermaiding offers a unique middle ground. It allows you to glide effortlessly through the water, extend your breath-hold, and feel a deeper connection to the ocean.
Let’s take a look at the benefits of mermaiding, dispel some common myths, and explore why it could be a great addition to your underwater adventures.
Debunking the Myths About Mermaiding
1. “Being a mermaid is just for kids and influencers.”
While social media has certainly given mermaiding a playful and glamorous reputation, it’s also a proper watersport that requires skill and training. Freediving techniques, breath control, and monofin swimming are all essential parts of being a mermaid. Many experienced divers and athletes use mermaiding to enhance their abilities.
2. “It’s not a real sport.”
Mermaiding isn’t just about wearing a tail and taking photos—although that can be fun too! It incorporates real freediving skills, including dynamic apnea, finning techniques, and controlled buoyancy. Many professional mermaids undergo rigorous training to improve their efficiency underwater. Some even use their skills for conservation efforts and underwater performances.
3. “It’s just for shallow water play.”
While many mermaid courses start in pools or shallow water, mermaiding can be taken to deeper environments. Some mermaids explore reefs and wrecks in open water, much like freedivers. Advanced mermaid training includes breath-hold techniques, safety protocols, and improving underwater endurance.
4. “It’s just for girls.”
While mermaiding has been popularized by women, it is by no means an exclusively female activity. Many men train as professional mermaids (or ‘mermen’) and find that the sport enhances their freediving, breath-hold skills, and underwater agility. Mermaiding is for anyone who loves being in the water, regardless of gender.
The Benefits of Mermaiding for Divers
1. Improves Breath-Hold and Freediving Skills
For divers, learning to control your breath is an invaluable skill. Mermaiding helps improve lung capacity, breath control, and CO2 tolerance, making it an excellent crossover for those who want to enhance their freediving or snorkeling ability.
2. Strengthens Finning Technique
If you’re a scuba diver, you already know that proper finning is key to conserving energy and improving efficiency underwater. Mermaiding teaches monofin swimming, which strengthens the core, legs, and ankles—giving you a more powerful and streamlined kick, even when diving with traditional fins.
3. Enhances Underwater Buoyancy and Body Control
Since mermaiding relies on fluid, natural movement, it helps refine body positioning and buoyancy. Learning to glide smoothly through the water makes divers and snorkelers more comfortable in the ocean, improving their ability to move efficiently.
4. Deepens Connection to the Ocean
Many mermaids describe a sense of freedom and tranquility when swimming in a tail. Without heavy dive gear or surface snorkels, you can move in a way that feels natural and unrestricted. This creates a more immersive experience with the ocean, similar to freediving but with a playful edge.
5. Offers a Low-Impact Workout
Mermaiding is a fantastic full-body workout that engages the core, legs, and back while remaining low-impact on the joints. For divers who want to stay fit between trips, mermaiding is an enjoyable way to build endurance and improve overall water confidence.
How to Get Started with Mermaiding
If you’re curious about mermaiding but aren’t sure where to begin, taking a certified course is the best way to start. The SSI Mermaid course is a beginner-friendly program that introduces the basics of mermaiding. It’s a great way to get comfortable in the water with a tail.
If you want to experience mermaiding in open water, join the SSI Ocean Mermaid course. It teaches techniques for ocean swimming, depth control, and marine conservation awareness.
Not sure if mermaiding is for you? Check out the SSI Mermaids Facebook group for some inspiration, or find your nearest mermaid training center and have a chat with the staff to find out more.
Why Give Mermaiding a Try?
If you love being in the water and enjoy the feeling of weightlessness, mermaiding is a great way to explore the ocean. It combines elements of freediving, swimming, and playfulness, offering a unique alternative to more traditional sports. Whether you’re looking to improve your diving skills or simply have fun in a new way, mermaiding is worth trying.
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