YMCA Mermaiding

[MermaidSloane]

Hello!
So a while ago, I said I was going to try to introduce something along the lines of "Mermaid Mondays" to my local YMCA (I am an employee) and I am going to start that process today. I have a little checklist of stuff that I have done and what I need to do to see if this is possible, and I want to share it with this group because I know lot's of mermaids have had trouble at YMCA's, so hopefully this helps.
- My YMCA is part of Freedom Valley in Pennsylvania, but I won't share the specific one just yet.

What I have done already

Swam with a monofin in our pool, with approval from the Aquatics Director
Swam in a lap pool lane with one other person and avoided any issues
Swam in a lap pool lane with two other people and avoided any issues
Show the Aquatics Director and my supervisor that I am strong with my monofin
Been able to answer member questions about my monofin (can kids use them, where did I get it, etc.)


What I still need to do

Introduce the idea of Mermaid Monday's to my Aquatics Director
Order my tail (made by Matthew at MerrowFins!)
Choose handler (Scott and other lifeguards)
Swim in my tail for the Aquatics Director and/or my supervisor (more than once)
Hold an in service type meeting with handlers
Come up with a schedule for Mermaid Sloane to make appearances at the pool (our schedule is weekly, so probably once or twice a week)
Come up with a plan for what I actually do at the pool (assist lessons, play with kids in our family fun pool, etc.)
Figure out how I will get around our YMCA (can't spoil the illusion for children)
Start working!


So basically, I really need to get my director on board and that will hopefully start up this week. I really do believe that a program like this could make a difference at my YMCA. It could make kids much more excited about swim lessons and coming to the pool. If anyone has any advice, I am happy to take it and I am also happy to share and answer any questions. This thread is mostly to share my experiences trying to get mermaids into my local YMCA

[MermaidBonnie]

Great job! The YMCA here has banned mermaids. Out of the 4 local YMCAs I've been to here this year only two are mermaid friendly. One wouldn't even let me swim in just a monofin. Their reasoning? I was told about a man who drowned at a Y in Georgia and upon further research discovered he died bc he tied his legs together with string. Weird right? I even showed the director videos with me and sharks and was like "if I didn't drown in the deep ocean with sharks then I'm not going to drown in 5 feet of water" lol. Didn't work. The one here allows me to train (thank God bc it's 12 feet deep). These bans came out of nowhere. Now I can't do events at a lot of YMCAs. I have donated and brought in a lot of money to that organization and at least one of them is smart and has allowed me to keep doing events there. Anyways, I hope you get to stay there and do the Mermaid Mondays. This could help us all.

[MermaidSloane]

Great job! The YMCA here has banned mermaids. Out of the 4 local YMCAs I've been to here this year only two are mermaid friendly. One wouldn't even let me swim in just a monofin. Their reasoning? I was told about a man who drowned at a Y in Georgia and upon further research discovered he died bc he tied his legs together with string. Weird right? I even showed the director videos with me and sharks and was like "if I didn't drown in the deep ocean with sharks then I'm not going to drown in 5 feet of water" lol. Didn't work. The one here allows me to train (thank God bc it's 12 feet deep). These bans came out of nowhere. Now I can't do events at a lot of YMCAs. I have donated and brought in a lot of money to that organization and at least one of them is smart and has allowed me to keep doing events there. Anyways, I hope you get to stay there and do the Mermaid Mondays. This could help us all.

I'm hoping that it does help other mermaids that are stuck in this situation. Tomorrow, I am running my idea by my parents because as their child, I can't just add all of this to their minds without warning and approval (almost $400 towards a tail, plus more time spent at my YMCA then I already do). I think the fact that I am a lifeguard and I have been for 4 months has helped. My relationship with the staff, both guards and swim instructors, will hopefully get me a lot of support.

I will see my supervisor (his name is Scott and it's so weird to me typing 'supervisor' over and over) tomorrow and Friday and he is a huge fan of my monofin so I'm hoping that popping the idea into his head will help. He's a very supportive person, not much older than me, and he is a full-time employee and in good standing with our director, so having someone that I am actually friends with who is high on our employment ladder is helpful. Scott is also on my list of a few guards that I would prefer to be my handler (writing a post write after I post this about that).

The bans I get in some cases and sometimes not. I practice with a pull buoy (google it, I didn't know what they were called either) between my legs to practice squeezing so I get as close as possible to the feeling of having my legs bound, but lots of mers have been punished because so many people are unsafe. I really do think that mermaids could make a difference for kids learning how to swim among other things and YMCA's are huge advocates for children, so hopefully they'll all let us educate children in a new and engaging way.

[MermaidSloane]

Update: So my Aquatics Director left literally the moment I got to work, so I didn't get a chance to speak with her today, but I am telling my parents all about my idea's tomorrow. They are my biggest supporters and if they think about it as passionately as I do, I know I can get this project in motion.

One thing on my to-do list that wasn't there before is to find a handler (also referred to as merwranglers sometimes). In my case, my handler or handlers would do some things that a typical handler wouldn't. Generally, the handler helps the mermaid get in and out of the water and they help with staging.

Due to a YMCA's sometimes hectic nature, my handler would preferably be more hands on. If I was in an actual pool during swim lessons, my handler would be in the water with me or on deck as close to me as possible, in addition to the lifeguards that we have. My handler would be certain that I'm not getting bogged down by a ton of children mostly. In the event that I get a tail, I am going to buy a jumbo yoga mat or similar item to get in and out of the pool, and my handler would assist in that. Our deck is pretty clean and flat and easy to get around on, so I honestly would probably just have a couple people drag me on a dolly. If I was in our family fun pool, which is sloped, I would probably just have my handler sit close by and direct traffic because children in that pool roam free.

I think the idea of a handler is very important to mention because it's an added safety measure that could help mers land jobs in places where they were previously banned. Personally, I have a short list of friends who I work with that I would choose to have work with me in a tail, and Scott is included on that list. This extra precaution could make a difference in getting a job or event, or getting banned.

[MermaidBonnie]

Good thinking! Can't wait to see how it all works out.

[shimmygoddess]

Just wanted to say good luck. I have done quite a few swim appearances and summer camp appearances at about 4 different YMCA's in my area. As a member, in the past, they let me swim with my Mahina merfin and my daughter swam in her tail with no problems. It is interesting that some Y's have banned tails while others dont care.

**edited to add, whenever I have done a swimming appearance I had two lifeguards in the water with me. One at my side making sure kids gave me space and the other at my fin. It helped tremendously because then they were aware of all the kids and I didn't have to stress about them: swimming to close, jumping on me, or me bumping them with the fin.

[suzanne86]

I have had no trouble whatsoever swimming with a monofin (Finis Foil) at my YMCA pool. I did not have to ask for anyone's special previous permission. The posted rule is no apnea (breath-holding, hyperventillation) swimming. I follow the rule, and everyone is cool.

[MermaidSloane]

I was thinking about that when I was guarding today. I am a strong enough swimmer that I could handle kids with one guard (handler) at my side, but now that I'm back in communication with my tail maker, I do want a big, floppy fluke and I don't want kids to a) pull on it and destroy it b) jump on it thinking it'll hold their weight only to have it sink and c) drag me down. Every YMCA layout is different but I think I'd be ok with one guard in the pool at my fluke and one on deck or walking on the wall that divides the lesson pool from the family pool. These are all things I have to think about before proposing this to my director, so thank you for this reply :)

Again, I really want to set an example for YMCA's that we are safe and we can make a difference in our swim lesson and water safety programs. Tailed mermaids are pretty rare especially near me (small town outside of a big city) and kids would be amazed to see something like this

[MermaidBonnie]

It is so weird how some of the Ys ban mermaids and others don't. one day I'm swimming at a Y with no incident and the next they say it's banned bc of that guy in GA or bc of that awful video of that girl in her Walmart pool that made everyone hysterical about mermaid tails. I hope changes are made. On a side note yall use a lot of lifeguards! I have and only use one mertender for about 7 years now. I'm all about safety but you gotta make money too and pay for your tails, accessories, games, etc. are the kids really that rowdy? I've never had an issue on a job with my mertender. She really is there just to hand me things and help me get in and out of the water and wheel me around in my chariot and set up and take down my displays. When I do aquarium gigs her role is different but she is there. She's a Navy veteran and is awesome!

[MermaidSloane]

On a side note yall use a lot of lifeguards! I have and only use one mertender for about 7 years now. I'm all about safety but you gotta make money too and pay for your tails, accessories, games, etc. are the kids really that rowdy? I've never had an issue on a job with my mertender. She really is there just to hand me things and help me get in and out of the water and wheel me around in my chariot and set up and take down my displays. When I do aquarium gigs her role is different but she is there. She's a Navy veteran and is awesome!

I do believe it is necessary to have someone in the water with me in our warm water pool (a 3 lane lap pool without lane lines). We use that pool for lessons mostly and kids like letting go of the wall, even if they can't swim. Every save I've seen (and done) has been in that pool. God forbid something happens like that, I certainly don't want to be in the way. Also, if the child is in danger because they jumped on my or my fluke or something, yes I can help, but ultimately a lifeguard is going to have to make a save. That being said, if I have someone with me in the water or near me on deck, in the event of an emergency where I need to get out of the way, I'd much rather have someone pull me out of the way than risk making it worse by I could hitting someone and the force of my kick could make the situation worse.
This is the lifeguard talking in me, as well as the (future) mermaid. I've seen video of myself swimming with a monofin and it does have a lot of force that's able to sway an adult, so I'm sure it could move a child.

Our family fun pool has a sloped entrance and I think I could just sit there and be fine. There's a guard right behind that stand and my handler(s) could just walk around on deck or direct traffic or something. That would be more of a meet and greet type of appearence

[MermaidSloane]

UPDATE: I think I am going to order a MerNation Genesis tail instead of a neoprene one. I know everyone is going to say start out with fabric, but I really do think this tail will be perfect for me. It doesn't have fins, but by the time I think I need them, I will buy a signature line tail. I can get or make a mermaid belt with netting and I can afford a top with netted straps and I really think this is the best option for me. Hopefully things move along! My parents are all about it :)

[PearlieMae]

You might want to rethink a big floppy fluke for a working tail in a crowded pool. Why invest all that money into something you are going to have to keep everyone away from? If you plan on working with, and teaching kids, something a bit more practical might be the order of the day.

[MermaidSloane]

You might want to rethink a big floppy fluke for a working tail in a crowded pool. Why invest all that money into something you are going to have to keep everyone away from? If you plan on working with, and teaching kids, something a bit more practical might be the order of the day.

I have considered it but I have also considered the future as well. I am very young, probably younger than most mermaids with tails on here. I've worked for years babysitting and now, lifeguarding and it's taken me so long to save up the money that I have. The tail I want costs more than my laptop, and my laptop has upgrades because I'm a gamer.
I realize that the big floppy fluke + kids seems like a really terrible idea, but I want it for two reasons. 1 - I will not just be swimming for kids. I'll be swimming for with my family in our pool, I'll be swimming with my friends, I'll probably at some point go swimming with Scott. When doing these things, I won't be at the YMCA and there won't be tons of children all over the place. This tail isn't just for kids. It's for me too, which is why I want fins and a big floppy tail.
The second reason is because tails are expensive. The genisis from mernation is a smart option for a first silicone tail, but it has no add ons and I would have to purchase another tail at some point. That tail is also much thinner compared to other mernation tails and other tails in general. At my age, I'm not going to be able to spend $1500 on a tail that I don't love, and then buy another, much more expensive tail. I can't afford to do that. No matter what, if I'm working at the YMCA or not, first and foremost this tail is for me.
I have friends that love this idea and they are going to be handlers and they are going to keep everyone safe if this project gets started. And I don't want kids to stay away from me. I would only be swimming during swim lessons when the pool isn't crowded and the children are in groups. Appearances would take place in a pool that slopes up to 0'0" and I would just sit on the end of it, so children can see my tail and touch it and experience all of that.
All in all (and sorry for this long reply, but I'm organizing these thoughts for myself too) yes, in the career of organizing children, the big floppy fluke can be a bad thing, but I am purchasing this tail for me as well

[MermaidSloane]

I don't know if anyone is still following this, but I just wanted to update this thread instead of starting a whole new one.
I'm working with Matthew Quijano and he is VERY supportive. He understands that I'm young and I need time to get everything set before purchasing my tail. I know there's been a lot of talk about Matthew and MerrowFins, but I have faith in him. He's a very talented artist with a lot to offer and I'm glad that he will be my tail maker when the time comes.
I mentioned Scott before and I have awesome news! He is not my supervisor anymore, but he's the assistant to the Aquatics Director of my YMCA. I'm very proud of him and his accomplishment and I'm glad he moved up. We are still very close and I still only work on days when he is in charge (not on purpose, that's just how it works out) and I want to present my plan to him once I get back into working with him regularly.
I am a high school mermaid. It is my senior year. I am extremely busy with band, choir, and another job. I don't have the time to come in for this program until January but I want to get the ball rolling. I am hoping to exchange an advance for part or all of the price of my tail. I spent money this year on concert tickets and I will have the money from my new job, but not in full until June. Paying for half or all of my tail doesn't seem unreasonable to me but that is up for discussion.
I also have some not so great news. I have developed a sensitivity to chlorine in both an asthmatic way and a skin/external way. I have chronic bronchitis to begin with and chlorine has been added to my list of irritants. Lung wise, I can deal with it. It makes me cough a little more than I usually do and I feel a little more exhausted when I leave work, but that isn't a big deal. Skin wise, I just have to be careful. I feel itchy and irritated after I swim, but in the water I'm fine. Again, it's just something I have to bring up to Scott so I can deal with it.
Hopefully this project will be up and running by 2017!

[Mermaid of Orbegon Lake]

That's super cool! I'm currently talking to my YMCA too. I'm heading to a meeting with the aquatics director there too! He's super pumped about it. Ironically I just got a tail from MerrowFins XD. That's horrible about the chlorine irritation, there might be something out there to help with that. I wish you luck on your mermaid project. :)

[MermaidSloane]

That's so cool! I'm gonna bring it up next month and hopefully start in January :) Matthew is a sweetie ;) NBD on the chlorine lol nothing will keep me from the water!! good luck to you!

[Mermaid of Orbegon Lake]

That's so cool! I'm gonna bring it up next month and hopefully start in January :) Matthew is a sweetie ;) NBD on the chlorine lol nothing will keep me from the water!! good luck to you!



Thank you! And it's cool to see another younger mermaid :D

[Acqua Luna]

I've spent the last month reaching out to four of the closest YMCA's around me. The aquatics directors had a couple of questions. But gave full permission to use my tail in a lap lane. They were all super nice about it. I would defiantly say get in contact with them before just showing up with your tail.

Last Saturday my husband and I went for a swim and it ended up being a nightmare. I had to argue with the lifeguard to let me in the pool even after I offered her proof of permission from the aquatics director of her YMCA. The membership guy had to come out and verify that yes I was allowed because I'd been communicating with him and the director about my tail and getting a membership. She stormed off and when she came back a half an hour later she took it out on our 7year old and left her in tears. I left immediately and told them if this happened again I would cancel my family membership effective immediately. Our son drowned last year at his biological grandparents when they had a sleep over, we are safety nuts. We even had an inflatable ring for our daughter while she practiced using just her monofin. Just be very cautious when approaching the Y's. There is a high probability there will be resistance from staff.

[MermaidSloane]

I've spent the last month reaching out to four of the closest YMCA's around me. The aquatics directors had a couple of questions. But gave full permission to use my tail in a lap lane. They were all super nice about it. I would defiantly say get in contact with them before just showing up with your tail.

Last Saturday my husband and I went for a swim and it ended up being a nightmare. I had to argue with the lifeguard to let me in the pool even after I offered her proof of permission from the aquatics director of her YMCA. The membership guy had to come out and verify that yes I was allowed because I'd been communicating with him and the director about my tail and getting a membership. She stormed off and when she came back a half an hour later she took it out on our 7year old and left her in tears. I left immediately and told them if this happened again I would cancel my family membership effective immediately. Our son drowned last year at his biological grandparents when they had a sleep over, we are safety nuts. We even had an inflatable ring for our daughter while she practiced using just her monofin. Just be very cautious when approaching the Y's. There is a high probability there will be resistance from staff.

Luckily, I am an employee! I have a significant advantage because I spent the last six months working with Scott as he worked his way up to be out Assistant Aquatics Director. I've used my monofin in our lap pool both by myself and with another person swimming beside me with no issues. I've also been working on a proposal for the program/schedule addition that I want to start. I've worked there since April and I have an entirely separate page of my proposal for safety and who I want my handlers to be (other YMCA lifeguard(s) with Scott on deck nearby) and I'm prepared to pay for insurance and make waivers and hold in services with my handlers so they know exactly how to keep me safe in the water.
I promise all Y employees aren't like that! My branch absolutely is not. Please keep in mind that a lot of us are teenagers (including myself) and confusion happens. When one department has over 100 employees that don't always come to meetings and in services, confusion happens a lot even though we try our best to avoid it. I apologize, but I don't blame them for saying something to you and your child about her monofin. Monofins are dangerous, especially for children. The only reason I'm allowed to use mine is because I've proved multiple times that I know how to use it and even so, Scott keeps his eyes on me in the water. Our goal is to avoid accidents and fix them as quickly as possible as they arise.
My personal goal with this project is to pave the way for mermaids. I want to start a successful program and prove to my director and Scott that we are capable of being safe in the water and I personally will be adding an element to our YMCA that no other Y has. I want to be the example and the guinea pig for us. But we do have to keep in mind my close relationship with Scott and my employee status.
Hopefully in the future, there will be a standard across the board for mermaids, but for now, we have to do what we can to show lifeguards that we are safe.

[Acqua Luna]

Luckily, I am an employee! I have a significant advantage because I spent the last six months working with Scott as he worked his way up to be out Assistant Aquatics Director. I've used my monofin in our lap pool both by myself and with another person swimming beside me with no issues. I've also been working on a proposal for the program/schedule addition that I want to start. I've worked there since April and I have an entirely separate page of my proposal for safety and who I want my handlers to be (other YMCA lifeguard(s) with Scott on deck nearby) and I'm prepared to pay for insurance and make waivers and hold in services with my handlers so they know exactly how to keep me safe in the water.
I promise all Y employees aren't like that! My branch absolutely is not. Please keep in mind that a lot of us are teenagers (including myself) and confusion happens. When one department has over 100 employees that don't always come to meetings and in services, confusion happens a lot even though we try our best to avoid it. I apologize, but I don't blame them for saying something to you and your child about her monofin. Monofins are dangerous, especially for children. The only reason I'm allowed to use mine is because I've proved multiple times that I know how to use it and even so, Scott keeps his eyes on me in the water. Our goal is to avoid accidents and fix them as quickly as possible as they arise.
My personal goal with this project is to pave the way for mermaids. I want to start a successful program and prove to my director and Scott that we are capable of being safe in the water and I personally will be adding an element to our YMCA that no other Y has. I want to be the example and the guinea pig for us. But we do have to keep in mind my close relationship with Scott and my employee status.
Hopefully in the future, there will be a standard across the board for mermaids, but for now, we have to do what we can to show lifeguards that we are safe.

So the biggest problem I had wasn't the resistance. I expected that which is why I had the emailed pulled up and tried to show her I did get prior permission. And yes I was more than mildly annoyed even with proof she still wouldn't let me in. My main problem is she thought it was ok to take out her issue with me on my 7 year old. When she pulled us out of the pool our daughter wasn't even in her monofin. She was swimming along the edge of the pool holding onto the sides and both of her parents were right next to her. If we can't take our kids to the local Y and teach them how to safely swim in or out of a monofin where is a safe place to swim? The lady at the front desk basically said the same thing. "Oh she is just a teenager",that's a brush off. If you don't know how to have basic interaction with kids without making them burst into tears then you need to choose another profession.

In no way am I say that you are like that nor am I saying that all lifeguards are like that. The first shift lifeguard was really nice to us. When he told us we couldn't use floatations devices we immediately said no problem and took the small ring out of the pool. It was just a really bad first experience and I defiantly suggest being fully prepared for that.

[shimmygoddess]

There is no excuse for anyone, ANYONE to be rude to you and your daughter. (especially her) I dont care if it was a teenager. I would complain to the management. That is BS!

[Acqua Luna]

Thanks Shimmy!


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[Mermaid Alea]

Honestly I am not too surprised you are now sensitive to chlorine. I figure most public pools use a ton of chlorine to sterilize the pool. Every time I have been to a public pool it reeks of chlorine smell more so than regular backyard pools. I do hope it doesn't become more of a problem for you. Stay safe!

Congratulations on your progress!


I have had no trouble whatsoever swimming with a monofin (Finis Foil) at my YMCA pool. I did not have to ask for anyone's special previous permission. The posted rule is no apnea (breath-holding, hyperventillation) swimming. I follow the rule, and everyone is cool.

Okay this brings up a question I have always had...When you are at a swimming pool or a guarded swimming area with the rule of no breath-holding, what counts as breath holding!? Does that mean don't swim too long underwater without coming up or does that mean don't just hold on to the side of the pool and float there underwater trying to see how long you can hold your breath? I am guessing it basically means don't push your limits is that right?

[MermaidSloane]

Honestly I am not too surprised you are now sensitive to chlorine. I figure most public pools use a ton of chlorine to sterilize the pool. Every time I have been to a public pool it reeks of chlorine smell more so than regular backyard pools. I do hope it doesn't become more of a problem for you. Stay safe!

Congratulations on your progress!



Okay this brings up a question I have always had...When you are at a swimming pool or a guarded swimming area with the rule of no breath-holding, what counts as breath holding!? Does that mean don't swim too long underwater without coming up or does that mean don't just hold on to the side of the pool and float there underwater trying to see how long you can hold your breath? I am guessing it basically means don't push your limits is that right?

As a guard, we are allowed to choose what we're uncomfortable with and put it to an end. At my YMCA, unless we know you (we have swim team swimmers and their trainers in the water a lot) we don;t like it if you swim a lap across the pool underwater or if you sit on the bottom completely still or if you're trying to push the limits. This is extremely dangerous. In lifeguard terms, it puts you at extreme risk of being a passive drowner because your brain isn't getting enough oxygen and you can pass out under water. It terrifies me, I never let people do it unless it's a trainer who I know will be ok and even then, I keep my eyes on them in the water to make sure they're ok. I promise it really is for safety and not because we don't want you to train. As I said before, our job is to avoid accidents as much as possible and fix the few that end up happening

As an update to anyone following this, tomorrow I will be emailing Scott about my idea. I'm terrified about this but if he says no, I won't be offended at all! It really is a hit or miss kind of thing and there are a lot of moving parts to work out. If he does say no to starting a program, I will bring up the struggles that we have all had swimming at public pools and see what he thinks about all of it (as well as see what rules he personally sets at our pool).

[Mermaid Alea]

Thanks for explaining that! I don't have a problem with the rule I just want to understand it better so I can follow it.

I hope your email to Scott has/will go well today!

[MermaidSloane]

Thanks for explaining that! I don't have a problem with the rule I just want to understand it better so I can follow it.

I hope your email to Scott has/will go well today!

Thank you!! Im slightly terrified but today will hopefully start the process of some respect for mermaids in public pools! That is my goal, while also making some kids smile and having fun in the process :)

[malinghi]

I assume that to persuade pools to allow swimming in tails, it helps to come prepared with information- both information on how this can be done safely, and a proposal for a clear and enforceable policy for people swimming in tails.

I know the question of how to convince pools to allow tails has been discussed on here many times before. Has anyone ever collected all the information into a handy guide for how to propose swimming in tails to a pool manager?

[MermaidSloane]

I assume that to persuade pools to allow swimming in tails, it helps to come prepared with information- both information on how this can be done safely, and a proposal for a clear and enforceable policy for people swimming in tails.

I know the question of how to convince pools to allow tails has been discussed on here many times before. Has anyone ever collected all the information into a handy guide for how to propose swimming in tails to a pool manager?

I've never seen it all collected but i'd love to help in the creation of that

[suzanne86]

At my YMCA pool, there is a sign that says "Breath-holding is not allowed." It is still possible to have a fun and a good workout doing surface swimming with a monofin, with or without being in a tail. Swim on your back or side for variety. The dolphin kicking is great for building up your core.

[Mermaid Alea]

There is this site which I feel is a great resource for information on tail swimming and proposed rules for tailswimming at pools: http://mermaidsafetyguide.weebly.com/

I like the benefits of mermaiding as listed on this page: http://mermaidsafetyguide.weebly.com/safety-documentation.html (http://mermaidsafetyguide.weebly.com/safety-documentation.html)

[KYounglove]

@Mermaidsloane Did anything come of this?

[MermaidSloane]

@Mermaidsloane Did anything come of this?

Hey there! I actually don't work at that YMCA anymore and I've moved away from Mermaiding sadly :( Being a lifeguard around a pool all the time actually became a health problem for me. I developed an allergic reaction to the chlorine that's used at my pools and any time I go on deck to say hi to my friends or to get a steam in the sauna, it's hard to breathe if I spend too much time exposed to it. I also have a skin reaction to chlorine in pools. I'm totally fine while I'm in the water but once I get out, my skin itches immensely and it take a long time in a very hot shower to get the irritation to go away. Just so you know, this reaction isn't because of the YMCA pool I worked at specifically. It's because the time I spent there along with swimming in my own pool over the summer was too much for my body. This is 100% not my YMCA's fault :)
I am a huge advocate for mermaids always and I'm happy to introduce anyone in the area to my boss, Scott if they want to try and complete my mission. I can also answer any questions that you might have about what my mission was or really anything haha. I really do miss mermaiding and I still have my monofin, though I can't use it as often for the reasons listed above. I do still belong to that YMCA, I visit my friends there all the time, I'm always welcome (and happy!) to swim there.
If you'd like help getting into my YMCA to see my boss, I am still in high school but I will be attending college soon. I'm not going too far, just out of the suburbs to Philadelphia and I will always be a mermaid advocate and an active member on this site :)
If you can't tell, I would really like to help another mermaid complete my mission so PLEASE let me know!!

[Misty Lau]

I have the same reaction to Chlorine as you do- and I never even was over exposed! I'm so happy you're not sensitive to the little amounts of chlorine in tap water, like I am. Showers even torture me. But, I'm not going to allow myself to avoid a tail because of it. I'll find saltwater pools and the ocean to swim in. XD

[MermaidSloane]

I have the same reaction to Chlorine as you do- and I never even was over exposed! I'm so happy you're not sensitive to the little amounts of chlorine in tap water, like I am. Showers even torture me. But, I'm not going to allow myself to avoid a tail because of it. I'll find saltwater pools and the ocean to swim in. XD

I wish I could :( I'm off to college in August and I'm bringing my fin to swim in the pool there but I don't think I'll ever be able to handle being in a tail at the YMCA like I wanted too

[Misty Lau]

I wish I could :( I'm off to college in August and I'm bringing my fin to swim in the pool there but I don't think I'll ever be able to handle being in a tail at the YMCA like I wanted too
Aw...well.at.least.there's.saltwater.in.other.plac es...my.spacebar.refused.to.work.suddenly.

[Merman Jon]

I swim with a tail at the ymca in sheboygan, wi. All the lifeguards know me and they enjoy watching me swim. I haven't had much problems there. Only problem I had there is when a fellow swimmer grabbed my tail. That issue was taken care of.