TheMermanDan
12-22-2015, 02:47 AM
Hi Merfolk,
so many of you have already seen my post regarding the incident at my local pool where they have placed a temporary ban on Mermaid tails/fins in the pool and are waiting for a closer review of their future in the pools. Well since this incident and the recent media beat up in the Herald Sun (and other affiliated papers) there has been quite an influx of negativity on social media from ill informed and misinformed general public around mertails. If this continues we will very soon see a complete ban of mertails in all public pools and even possibly public beaches!
This is where I am asking for a united front though your support. I am asking each of you to send an email to stories@theprojecttv.com.au with the subject "Not a good day to be a Mermaid/Merman" or something along the lines of "Media beat up over Mermaid tails". In the email please share your concern and stories about the negative light and half truths in recent media about Mertails. We need many loud voices to help have this heard! Please remember to stay to the facts around mertails and highlight the safety features and the benefits of tails. Please also reference my story/post as it keeps a clear focus example.
Below is a copy of the (long) email I have sent them. I had a auto reply saying that they have a high amount of stories suggested and a producer would be in contact if they chose to explore the story further.
here is what I sent the Project:
Hello,
my name is Daniel and much like Adam Valentine (the Gay Merman of Melbourne) who was featured in a recent Project segment, I too am a grown man who swims in a merman tail for fun and exercise .... and yes, to live out a childhood dream. Unlike Adam I have recently been band from swimming in my tail at my local pool.
I posted the following post on my Facebook and in an email to the Brunswick Baths after being asked to take my tail off in the pool.
"A bad day to be a Merman at Brunswick Baths...So it was a sunny weekend here in Melbourne and what better way to spend the day than down at the local pool. My local pool is Brunswick Baths and it has been a regular escape for a few years now. For the past four visits I have been taking along my FinFun Mermaid tail and have been swimming happily, safely and without issue... until today that is.
About 30min into my swim on Sunday the 20th of December I was called to the pool side by one of the pools lifeguards who informed me that I was not allowed to swim with my tail due to a new ban put in place by the manager of Brunswick Baths.
I have been swimming in my tail for the past few weeks at Brunswick Baths, including the Saturday prior (19th December) and at no point was this mentioned to me. There are no signs regarding this new rule. When I asked the guard about this ban he said it was due to the fact that "young kids have been buying the tails and drowning." Now I did polity point out that I am no child and even the guard acknowledged that I was a very competent and confident swimmer in my tail. He went on to say that by me swimming in the tail young children are then buying the tails when they are not good swimmers and it is causing a major drowning risk. I did point out that It is not children buying these tails. It is the parents and it is also the parents role to assess if this is in fact an ideal swimming tool for their child's swimming ability.
So I am being told I cannot swim in my tail due to the fact that parents are ignoring the multiple warnings and recommendations regarding swimming skills and leaving kids to just put on a tail and swim? So I get punished and held back from doing something that I truly enjoy, that is great exercise and is causing no harm to anyone because a parent might buy their child a mermaid tail without care or responsibility?
After then speaking with the two duty managers (who knew nothing about this ban.) it came out that the head manager (who was not present) had apparently post message on the staff facebook group saying they are band.
Any time a parent or child has asked me about my tail I have clearly stated that you need to be a strong and confident swimmer to use one and that it takes a fair bit of practice to use one. Being someone who almost drowned as a small child I am well aware of the importance of pool safety awareness and education.
I am well aware that there is a video of a young girl in America who got caught with her head underwater as she could not swim properly in the tail and there has also been an article in the Herald Sun with a bit of a beat up about Mermaid tails being a dangerous Christmas present for kids. I can only assume that this what has influenced this "Tail ban" at Brunswick Baths. There have been no reported drownings with Mermaid Tails here in Australia.
"Choice, Victorian Consumer Affairs Minister Jane Garrett and NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe have joined forces to remind parents to check age and safety advice."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/…/cd2cf11c353418a7e7e83bcc42394…
I have a FinFun Mermaid (Merman) tail and FinFun have got multiple warnings and recommendations all over their web page, youtube and very clearly on the product packaging. The FinFun Tails have extra safety benefits of easy mono-fin removal, opening at the bottom of the tail and a "No Strap" mono-fin. I have seen other tails that may not have all the same features, but they do have clearly labeled safety warnings. Even Floaties can be dangerous if not used properly and still recommend adult supervision at all times.
http://www.finfunmermaid.com/mermaid-tail-safety/ (http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.finfunmermaid.com%2Fmerma id-tail-safety%2F&h=cAQFqmnQ4AQGYu6yeKEHbNJtYOihYX3tJzJsEjBN3EpRUjA&enc=AZNODatgjpRMcugaHggVMEYcXyP9M92TP6VwbtaX1lHytJ Oaj97vo-Ay0H8WZCYTxMcAYP9KbPABI5aMN5FiEs0Q1URbkI-CtxPqNiULmn9KFDy7Q-aaAsfKuNMGsm5JZ4UtUWE8EQ5jfN_fv4bxQNcXhwETUVmg7QrE KAMljYdxXEz2EddYMiCDWSewinGSLxE&s=1)
https://www.youtube.com/watch (https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch&h=cAQFqmnQ4AQG__DMT7ry4uK9XDckNymVFSDYDhJF5Ez-Unw&enc=AZPW0m0vCJAWkS_DMa3f4a872WPB_tL4AE0c-4zR7jV_31lj40li0RPuQIkLAmgof7C11Vc4n4RO0rMqVDlz4OT Y5LQeMdUANLHo7HIDrx1EkeF6JSrEVwbLi5SFSS3RU0JGRgP3O M_rlTuctZvapGLss11kRyiIsVjQadYdTu39iEGfGRqntQHsm-vKVEn4U4k&s=1)…
https://www.youtube.com/watch (https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch&h=QAQGj34jTAQGSVId67jObgVgn4BtvPTC69dlcManU4eVp6w&enc=AZOCmOiYrxbIp7tsftsbUj-YzpRL_avq9942WxV31kvp0dS6GVKYmhrmjxi9Rxj34YcMTd0s1 D2aRVMINHolF1Tu7MHx5yNvpa6o-QG7jXhGG2Yb4f8DSEZ_Kq20n4AE4BwjxY6u9m0m-J_QmENcDYs7VYL4iAJ_nt3bmRExsWgmZblf9pJVPnMYOUNHNCs wU9A&s=1)…
In some public pools in Canada they require tail wearers to pass a basic swim skill assessment (breath hold, swimming distance unassisted and treading water) before being able to use a mermaid tail in the pool. Even then some pools have age restrictions full stop. There are Professional Mermaids/Mermen all over the world who wear tails at kids parties and events where they share pool safety advice and ocean conservation messages.
With the trend of Mermaid tails growing around the world I can only hope Brunswick Baths chose to take on a better thought out policy on the wearing of the tails and who knows, they may even bring in Mermaid training classes for advanced swimming lessons.
I really do love swimming at Brunswick Baths and up until now I have shared nothing but praise for the facility and its staff.
Looks like I might have to join Ariel Valentine (https://www.facebook.com/Adam86Valentine) at Fitzroy Pools from now on.
After speaking with both duty managers they could see no reason why I should not be allowed to swim in my FinFun tail. Lets hope commonsense prevails and that this does not need to become an issue with a much louder voice. I am waiting to her back from the head manager to find out what the future holds for my Merman Adventures at Brunswick Baths."
Since this post I have received a response appologising for my frustration/confusion and that they are reviewing the policy with the Aquatic Risk Management team at the State YMCA.
Now since posting this I have received many messages from other Mertail swimmers around Australia (and some international) expressing grave concern about the future of mertails in public pools all due to the recent "fear mongering" and half truths around the danger of these tails. Now Finfun Australia's facebook page is receiving negative posts and I'm sure its just a matter of time until mertail wearers are going to be a target of this negativity.
With Christmas just days away and a hot summer ahead I am sure this is going to become a bit of a hot issue and I am hoping the project might be the place to share a balanced and objective point of view on to the facts around Mertail safety and hopefully help local councils and pools to see the benefits of them and the options available rather than a placing reactionary ban on them based on one home video from the US and a beat up in the Herald Sun.
Surfing is seen as a healthy and positive recreational water sport. Then again you would not give a child a surfboard without training or supervision. Yes, there are dangers in surfing (and all water activities), but we train children to understand the dangers and build the necessary skills to enjoy the sport. Mertails have been growing in popularity in the USA and Canada for some years now and Australia being a beach loving culture it is no surprise that this is fast becoming a huge trend here.
Below is a post by Raina a Professinal Mermaid based in Canada who has had to deal with the same issue after the same video did the rounds a few years back.
" Hello to Australia from Canada! You're a little behind on the times, as this video is a bit old and has already been addressed and debunked quite a few times! I personally reached out to the mother and she did a follow up video stating her daughter didn't know how to swim, nor had she ever worn a mermaid tail before. As a leading expert in the field in Canada, with a background in Child development, and a background in Elementary education, I'd like to shed some light and a few facts!
First of all, as Australians you should know that mermaid swimming has existed for over 100 years- starting with your very own Annette Kellerman. (a personal feminist hero of mine!) In all of the time monofins have been around, not a single person has ever drowned! Same with mermaid tails. Now, does that mean they aren't without risks? Of course not. But there are a few remedies for that risk as followed:
Like any sport, care must be given to proper safety procedures. You wouldn't put sharp blades on your child's feet and send them out on a frozen lake without a little consideration right? Monofin swimming is the same way! ALL monofins are equipped with either emergency release buttons (such as this tail) or emergency release protocol. That information is not only printed on the box, but also on the fins themselves (and of course the product websites). It's important that children demonstrate an ability to use the emergency release buttons.
Obviously a child should be a capable swimmer, and never left unsupervised. While this mom made a bad call by telling her inexperienced child to "do a flip" (even without a mermaid tail, how many of us can do a flip without getting stuck?) she thankfully was right there in the water with her child. That's the key here! Responsible parenting.
So why bother with mermaid tails? Well, many long-term peer reviewed studies suggest that girls are lacking in societal support when it comes to physical fitness. With many blockages such as body image, young girls are not being encouraged in the same way boys are, and as we all know... childhood obesity rates are climbing. Monofin swimming/mermaid swimming is something young girls are flocking to, and that interested should be encouraged, monitored for safety, and celebrated. Monofin swimming can burn up to 500 calories an hour, and promotes imagination.
Similarly, long term studies suggest that the value of "playing pretend" (such as pretending to be a mermaid) sets children up for later life success in both school and employment. Nurturing their imagination puts children on the path to success.
Here in Canada I run a Girl's Empowerment workshop utilizing mermaid tails. It's a mermazing experience. Young girls are encouraged toward safer swimming and physical fitness, along with nurturing their imagination.
So yes, like most childhood activities- like riding a bike, playing hockey, being on a sports team, climbing monkey bars... mermaid swimming does have inherent risk. But that doesn't mean it can't be a valuable tool for children everywhere, when done appropriately. Remember when snow boarding came on the scene and used to be banned from ski hills- and now has a place in the Olympics? Funny enough, American olympian Michael Phelps once swam in a merman tail for disney wink emoticon
I leave you with a news segment in which I addressed the issues locally. I invite you to contact me if you'd like further information! In addition to running a trail blazing award winning company in Canada, I am also a twice published author, and an educator. I make an amazing living as a professional mermaid.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIdP2gvio8E#action=share "
I know the personal benefits and joy of swimming with a Mertail and it has helped my fitness and swimming confidence immensely.
Should you like to contact me or discuss any of this further then please contact me either by email mybestsinglet@gmail.com or 0447680708
Instagram @themermandan
I hope to hear back from you soon.
Regards,
Daniel
so many of you have already seen my post regarding the incident at my local pool where they have placed a temporary ban on Mermaid tails/fins in the pool and are waiting for a closer review of their future in the pools. Well since this incident and the recent media beat up in the Herald Sun (and other affiliated papers) there has been quite an influx of negativity on social media from ill informed and misinformed general public around mertails. If this continues we will very soon see a complete ban of mertails in all public pools and even possibly public beaches!
This is where I am asking for a united front though your support. I am asking each of you to send an email to stories@theprojecttv.com.au with the subject "Not a good day to be a Mermaid/Merman" or something along the lines of "Media beat up over Mermaid tails". In the email please share your concern and stories about the negative light and half truths in recent media about Mertails. We need many loud voices to help have this heard! Please remember to stay to the facts around mertails and highlight the safety features and the benefits of tails. Please also reference my story/post as it keeps a clear focus example.
Below is a copy of the (long) email I have sent them. I had a auto reply saying that they have a high amount of stories suggested and a producer would be in contact if they chose to explore the story further.
here is what I sent the Project:
Hello,
my name is Daniel and much like Adam Valentine (the Gay Merman of Melbourne) who was featured in a recent Project segment, I too am a grown man who swims in a merman tail for fun and exercise .... and yes, to live out a childhood dream. Unlike Adam I have recently been band from swimming in my tail at my local pool.
I posted the following post on my Facebook and in an email to the Brunswick Baths after being asked to take my tail off in the pool.
"A bad day to be a Merman at Brunswick Baths...So it was a sunny weekend here in Melbourne and what better way to spend the day than down at the local pool. My local pool is Brunswick Baths and it has been a regular escape for a few years now. For the past four visits I have been taking along my FinFun Mermaid tail and have been swimming happily, safely and without issue... until today that is.
About 30min into my swim on Sunday the 20th of December I was called to the pool side by one of the pools lifeguards who informed me that I was not allowed to swim with my tail due to a new ban put in place by the manager of Brunswick Baths.
I have been swimming in my tail for the past few weeks at Brunswick Baths, including the Saturday prior (19th December) and at no point was this mentioned to me. There are no signs regarding this new rule. When I asked the guard about this ban he said it was due to the fact that "young kids have been buying the tails and drowning." Now I did polity point out that I am no child and even the guard acknowledged that I was a very competent and confident swimmer in my tail. He went on to say that by me swimming in the tail young children are then buying the tails when they are not good swimmers and it is causing a major drowning risk. I did point out that It is not children buying these tails. It is the parents and it is also the parents role to assess if this is in fact an ideal swimming tool for their child's swimming ability.
So I am being told I cannot swim in my tail due to the fact that parents are ignoring the multiple warnings and recommendations regarding swimming skills and leaving kids to just put on a tail and swim? So I get punished and held back from doing something that I truly enjoy, that is great exercise and is causing no harm to anyone because a parent might buy their child a mermaid tail without care or responsibility?
After then speaking with the two duty managers (who knew nothing about this ban.) it came out that the head manager (who was not present) had apparently post message on the staff facebook group saying they are band.
Any time a parent or child has asked me about my tail I have clearly stated that you need to be a strong and confident swimmer to use one and that it takes a fair bit of practice to use one. Being someone who almost drowned as a small child I am well aware of the importance of pool safety awareness and education.
I am well aware that there is a video of a young girl in America who got caught with her head underwater as she could not swim properly in the tail and there has also been an article in the Herald Sun with a bit of a beat up about Mermaid tails being a dangerous Christmas present for kids. I can only assume that this what has influenced this "Tail ban" at Brunswick Baths. There have been no reported drownings with Mermaid Tails here in Australia.
"Choice, Victorian Consumer Affairs Minister Jane Garrett and NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe have joined forces to remind parents to check age and safety advice."
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/…/cd2cf11c353418a7e7e83bcc42394…
I have a FinFun Mermaid (Merman) tail and FinFun have got multiple warnings and recommendations all over their web page, youtube and very clearly on the product packaging. The FinFun Tails have extra safety benefits of easy mono-fin removal, opening at the bottom of the tail and a "No Strap" mono-fin. I have seen other tails that may not have all the same features, but they do have clearly labeled safety warnings. Even Floaties can be dangerous if not used properly and still recommend adult supervision at all times.
http://www.finfunmermaid.com/mermaid-tail-safety/ (http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.finfunmermaid.com%2Fmerma id-tail-safety%2F&h=cAQFqmnQ4AQGYu6yeKEHbNJtYOihYX3tJzJsEjBN3EpRUjA&enc=AZNODatgjpRMcugaHggVMEYcXyP9M92TP6VwbtaX1lHytJ Oaj97vo-Ay0H8WZCYTxMcAYP9KbPABI5aMN5FiEs0Q1URbkI-CtxPqNiULmn9KFDy7Q-aaAsfKuNMGsm5JZ4UtUWE8EQ5jfN_fv4bxQNcXhwETUVmg7QrE KAMljYdxXEz2EddYMiCDWSewinGSLxE&s=1)
https://www.youtube.com/watch (https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch&h=cAQFqmnQ4AQG__DMT7ry4uK9XDckNymVFSDYDhJF5Ez-Unw&enc=AZPW0m0vCJAWkS_DMa3f4a872WPB_tL4AE0c-4zR7jV_31lj40li0RPuQIkLAmgof7C11Vc4n4RO0rMqVDlz4OT Y5LQeMdUANLHo7HIDrx1EkeF6JSrEVwbLi5SFSS3RU0JGRgP3O M_rlTuctZvapGLss11kRyiIsVjQadYdTu39iEGfGRqntQHsm-vKVEn4U4k&s=1)…
https://www.youtube.com/watch (https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch&h=QAQGj34jTAQGSVId67jObgVgn4BtvPTC69dlcManU4eVp6w&enc=AZOCmOiYrxbIp7tsftsbUj-YzpRL_avq9942WxV31kvp0dS6GVKYmhrmjxi9Rxj34YcMTd0s1 D2aRVMINHolF1Tu7MHx5yNvpa6o-QG7jXhGG2Yb4f8DSEZ_Kq20n4AE4BwjxY6u9m0m-J_QmENcDYs7VYL4iAJ_nt3bmRExsWgmZblf9pJVPnMYOUNHNCs wU9A&s=1)…
In some public pools in Canada they require tail wearers to pass a basic swim skill assessment (breath hold, swimming distance unassisted and treading water) before being able to use a mermaid tail in the pool. Even then some pools have age restrictions full stop. There are Professional Mermaids/Mermen all over the world who wear tails at kids parties and events where they share pool safety advice and ocean conservation messages.
With the trend of Mermaid tails growing around the world I can only hope Brunswick Baths chose to take on a better thought out policy on the wearing of the tails and who knows, they may even bring in Mermaid training classes for advanced swimming lessons.
I really do love swimming at Brunswick Baths and up until now I have shared nothing but praise for the facility and its staff.
Looks like I might have to join Ariel Valentine (https://www.facebook.com/Adam86Valentine) at Fitzroy Pools from now on.
After speaking with both duty managers they could see no reason why I should not be allowed to swim in my FinFun tail. Lets hope commonsense prevails and that this does not need to become an issue with a much louder voice. I am waiting to her back from the head manager to find out what the future holds for my Merman Adventures at Brunswick Baths."
Since this post I have received a response appologising for my frustration/confusion and that they are reviewing the policy with the Aquatic Risk Management team at the State YMCA.
Now since posting this I have received many messages from other Mertail swimmers around Australia (and some international) expressing grave concern about the future of mertails in public pools all due to the recent "fear mongering" and half truths around the danger of these tails. Now Finfun Australia's facebook page is receiving negative posts and I'm sure its just a matter of time until mertail wearers are going to be a target of this negativity.
With Christmas just days away and a hot summer ahead I am sure this is going to become a bit of a hot issue and I am hoping the project might be the place to share a balanced and objective point of view on to the facts around Mertail safety and hopefully help local councils and pools to see the benefits of them and the options available rather than a placing reactionary ban on them based on one home video from the US and a beat up in the Herald Sun.
Surfing is seen as a healthy and positive recreational water sport. Then again you would not give a child a surfboard without training or supervision. Yes, there are dangers in surfing (and all water activities), but we train children to understand the dangers and build the necessary skills to enjoy the sport. Mertails have been growing in popularity in the USA and Canada for some years now and Australia being a beach loving culture it is no surprise that this is fast becoming a huge trend here.
Below is a post by Raina a Professinal Mermaid based in Canada who has had to deal with the same issue after the same video did the rounds a few years back.
" Hello to Australia from Canada! You're a little behind on the times, as this video is a bit old and has already been addressed and debunked quite a few times! I personally reached out to the mother and she did a follow up video stating her daughter didn't know how to swim, nor had she ever worn a mermaid tail before. As a leading expert in the field in Canada, with a background in Child development, and a background in Elementary education, I'd like to shed some light and a few facts!
First of all, as Australians you should know that mermaid swimming has existed for over 100 years- starting with your very own Annette Kellerman. (a personal feminist hero of mine!) In all of the time monofins have been around, not a single person has ever drowned! Same with mermaid tails. Now, does that mean they aren't without risks? Of course not. But there are a few remedies for that risk as followed:
Like any sport, care must be given to proper safety procedures. You wouldn't put sharp blades on your child's feet and send them out on a frozen lake without a little consideration right? Monofin swimming is the same way! ALL monofins are equipped with either emergency release buttons (such as this tail) or emergency release protocol. That information is not only printed on the box, but also on the fins themselves (and of course the product websites). It's important that children demonstrate an ability to use the emergency release buttons.
Obviously a child should be a capable swimmer, and never left unsupervised. While this mom made a bad call by telling her inexperienced child to "do a flip" (even without a mermaid tail, how many of us can do a flip without getting stuck?) she thankfully was right there in the water with her child. That's the key here! Responsible parenting.
So why bother with mermaid tails? Well, many long-term peer reviewed studies suggest that girls are lacking in societal support when it comes to physical fitness. With many blockages such as body image, young girls are not being encouraged in the same way boys are, and as we all know... childhood obesity rates are climbing. Monofin swimming/mermaid swimming is something young girls are flocking to, and that interested should be encouraged, monitored for safety, and celebrated. Monofin swimming can burn up to 500 calories an hour, and promotes imagination.
Similarly, long term studies suggest that the value of "playing pretend" (such as pretending to be a mermaid) sets children up for later life success in both school and employment. Nurturing their imagination puts children on the path to success.
Here in Canada I run a Girl's Empowerment workshop utilizing mermaid tails. It's a mermazing experience. Young girls are encouraged toward safer swimming and physical fitness, along with nurturing their imagination.
So yes, like most childhood activities- like riding a bike, playing hockey, being on a sports team, climbing monkey bars... mermaid swimming does have inherent risk. But that doesn't mean it can't be a valuable tool for children everywhere, when done appropriately. Remember when snow boarding came on the scene and used to be banned from ski hills- and now has a place in the Olympics? Funny enough, American olympian Michael Phelps once swam in a merman tail for disney wink emoticon
I leave you with a news segment in which I addressed the issues locally. I invite you to contact me if you'd like further information! In addition to running a trail blazing award winning company in Canada, I am also a twice published author, and an educator. I make an amazing living as a professional mermaid.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIdP2gvio8E#action=share "
I know the personal benefits and joy of swimming with a Mertail and it has helped my fitness and swimming confidence immensely.
Should you like to contact me or discuss any of this further then please contact me either by email mybestsinglet@gmail.com or 0447680708
Instagram @themermandan
I hope to hear back from you soon.
Regards,
Daniel