New Mermaid To-Be!!!

[J.Nigma]

Hello everyone!
I am super excited to say that next year I'll become a mermaid myself!

I joined this forum in hopes to learn as much as I can before putting my first tail on and giving it a go ❤

With my new mermaid identity, I am hoping to do lots of modeling and maybe work with conservation causes.

Of anyone has tips, tricks, or beginners warnings/stories, please reach out to me! I'm looking to build a mer-family to help me on this journey ❤

[Mermaid_Izzy]

When you swim for the first time just relax and make yourself conformtable. Remember that it might be hard to maneuver at first and you will have to learn a different way of getting around sometimes.

I know there are a lot of warnings about how you should work your way up to a tail and try a monofin first, but I didn't. When I received my fabric tail it was winter but as soon as my pappy opened the pool I slide off the side straight into the deep end. Literally.

Unlike a few mers I took the dolphin kick naturally and swimming under the water was super easy, but onto of the water was a different story... (of course I am not a very good swimmer on top of the water anyways and I normally swim with my feet together even out of a tail) I eventually found a way that made it easy for me swim on top of the water without tiring out. Most of the time I like to turn to my side while on top and flick my tail side to side to move. So maybe that will help you!

Great to have a new mermaid! Hope you journey will be as fun as mine has, if not more!

[J.Nigma]

When you swim for the first time just relax and make yourself conformtable. Remember that it might be hard to maneuver at first and you will have to learn a different way of getting around sometimes.

I know there are a lot of warnings about how you should work your way up to a tail and try a monofin first, but I didn't. When I received my fabric tail it was winter but as soon as my pappy opened the pool I slide off the side straight into the deep end. Literally.

Unlike a few mers I took the dolphin kick naturally and swimming under the water was super easy, but onto of the water was a different story... (of course I am not a very good swimmer on top of the water anyways and I normally swim with my feet together even out of a tail) I eventually found a way that made it easy for me swim on top of the water without tiring out. Most of the time I like to turn to my side while on top and flick my tail side to side to move. So maybe that will help you!

Great to have a new mermaid! Hope you journey will be as fun as mine has, if not more!
That is a great tip for swimming on the surface!

When I was younger I use to swim with my legs together all the time, pretending to be a mermaid haha. So I don't think it will be too difficult for me since I've been training my whole life for this moment hahaha.

I am a bit concerned with the strength I'll need though since I am getting a Silicone tail and never even swam with a fabric one. I hear they are heavier so I should probably start in the shallows with supervision before trying to swim in deeper water or the ocean with it.

I'd love to hear more of your stories sometime!!!

[theMerFanc]

Welcome to the site :D

as a fairly new mer myself, my best advice is to really put a lot of thought and time into your tail design. No matter what type of tail you end up getting, you will have it for awhile and it will really become a part of you so make sure you truly love the colours, the fluke Shape, the add ons et cetera because it will be a part of you a lot.

[J.Nigma]

Welcome to the site :D

as a fairly new mer myself, my best advice is to really put a lot of thought and time into your tail design. No matter what type of tail you end up getting, you will have it for awhile and it will really become a part of you so make sure you truly love the colours, the fluke Shape, the add ons et cetera because it will be a part of you a lot.
Omg yes! It's like picking out a tattoo! I want a tail that will be as much a part of my identity as my model name has become. And when it gets old and worn, I want that tail to be remade and wonderful!

I know for sure I want hip fins and no back fin or lower fins. The colors are still up in the air. Thankfully I'm not ordering it for a couple months so I got time to figure it all out.

[Mermaid_Izzy]

That is a great tip for swimming on the surface!

When I was younger I use to swim with my legs together all the time, pretending to be a mermaid haha. So I don't think it will be too difficult for me since I've been training my whole life for this moment hahaha.

I am a bit concerned with the strength I'll need though since I am getting a Silicone tail and never even swam with a fabric one. I hear they are heavier so I should probably start in the shallows with supervision before trying to swim in deeper water or the ocean with it.

I'd love to hear more of your stories sometime!!!

I am actually a young mermaid. I still have a fabric tail (3 years and counting). I was actually going to give up on being a mermaid (due to peers and the thought of it making me look childish) until about last year I realized how big mermaiding was and I that being a mermaid was part of me and it's what I have always wanted to be.

I am in the process of making a silicone tail. Due to my funding at the moment I have yet to get around to ordering the silicone, but I am about to order clay and pigments.

Saying that I don't know much about swimming in a silicone tail, but I would suggest that you take it slowly like other mers have suggested.

I have a positive bouyancy so I tend to not be able to sink (I can literally stop swimmkng in deep water, cross my arms and legs and I won't sink, I just bob up and onto my side then my back), so I don't think it would be that hard for me in particular to stay a float with a silicone tail, but if you are negatively buoyant you might have a harder time staying up.

[J.Nigma]

I am actually a young mermaid. I still have a fabric tail (3 years and counting). I was actually going to give up on being a mermaid (due to peers and the thought of it making me look childish) until about last year I realized how big mermaiding was and I that being a mermaid was part of me and it's what I have always wanted to be.

I am in the process of making a silicone tail. Due to my funding at the moment I have yet to get around to ordering the silicone, but I am about to order clay and pigments.

Saying that I don't know much about swimming in a silicone tail, but I would suggest that you take it slowly like other mers have suggested.

I have a positive bouyancy so I tend to not be able to sink (I can literally stop swimmkng in deep water, cross my arms and legs and I won't sink, I just bob up and onto my side then my back), so I don't think it would be that hard for me in particular to stay a float with a silicone tail, but if you are negatively buoyant you might have a harder time staying up.
That's amazing that you are making your own tail! Please document it! I'd love to see progress shots!

What made you go fabric in the beginning instead of silicone? Should I start with fabric instead?

For me I can stay where I put myself in water? Like I can float on the top no problem but I can also lay on the bottom of the pool with ease too. So idk what I'd be considered haha.

Also I get what you mean about giving stuff up. It wasn't until four years ago that I actually started to be myself and do what I love despite what others think (thanks to my super supportive boyfriend). Now I've collected a massive group of friends, who are practically family, that love and support me through all of my adventures! They might be more excited about me becoming a mermaid than I am lol.

But don't give up, no matter what anyone says. You don't need their negativity in your life and if you ever need cheering up, come to me and I'll tell you how awesome you are! ❤

[Mermaid_Izzy]

That's amazing that you are making your own tail! Please document it! I'd love to see progress shots!

What made you go fabric in the beginning instead of silicone? Should I start with fabric instead?

For me I can stay where I put myself in water? Like I can float on the top no problem but I can also lay on the bottom of the pool with ease too. So idk what I'd be considered haha.

Also I get what you mean about giving stuff up. It wasn't until four years ago that I actually started to be myself and do what I love despite what others think (thanks to my super supportive boyfriend). Now I've collected a massive group of friends, who are practically family, that love and support me through all of my adventures! They might be more excited about me becoming a mermaid than I am lol.

But don't give up, no matter what anyone says. You don't need their negativity in your life and if you ever need cheering up, come to me and I'll tell you how awesome you are! [emoji173]

I picked a fabric tail because at that time there weren't many choices and I couldn't afford a neoprene or silicone tail. In fact when I started shopping for a tail places like FunFin didn't exist or weren't popping up on the radar yet. I found MagicTail.de through one of the mer sites on the web and instantly fell in love with their tails, I still love them.

Let's just say I hadn't discovered MerNetwork and all the amazing mermaids out there when I first started. I felt like I am in the minority and didn't really have much guidance when choosing a tail other than my own instincts.

Most mer's would suggest either a fabric tail or monofin first just to see if you enjoy it (because some have had their heart set on Mermaiding but get a fabric tail and hate it), but that is totally up to you.

And it's called netural bouyancy and you are very lucky for it...lol...my dad is the same way and doesn't understand why I can't sink very well...

And that's great you have supportive friends. My best friend enjoys the idea of mermaids, but isn't that interested, but my family is very supportive (except for my nana). She doesn't like the amount I am spending on my tail, but hey it's all good!

[J.Nigma]

I picked a fabric tail because at that time there weren't many choices and I couldn't afford a neoprene or silicone tail. In fact when I started shopping for a tail places like FunFin didn't exist or weren't popping up on the radar yet. I found MagicTail.de through one of the mer sites on the web and instantly fell in love with their tails, I still love them.

Let's just say I hadn't discovered MerNetwork and all the amazing mermaids out there when I first started. I felt like I am in the minority and didn't really have much guidance when choosing a tail other than my own instincts.

Most mer's would suggest either a fabric tail or monofin first just to see if you enjoy it (because some have had their heart set on Mermaiding but get a fabric tail and hate it), but that is totally up to you.

And it's called netural bouyancy and you are very lucky for it...lol...my dad is the same way and doesn't understand why I can't sink very well...

And that's great you have supportive friends. My best friend enjoys the idea of mermaids, but isn't that interested, but my family is very supportive (except for my nana). She doesn't like the amount I am spending on my tail, but hey it's all good!
Maybe I should look into a fabric tail first. Of course I have my heart set on a silicone one (just for modeling purposes really), but maybe I can find a good enough fabric one! I've never really looked into the fabric tails because I wanted my tail to look "real" but maybe I am cutting some tails short? Do you have any recommendations for a fabric tail maker?

And the price is brutal. I know my bf would be a LOT happier if I found a fabric tail I loved just as much, if not more, than a silicone one.
Getting a custom silicone tail would cost me upwards of $2k which he's not happy about me spending but he won't tell me no if I really want it.

Also I feel like silicone tails are harder. To travel with than fabric ones. So that's a perk of fabric!

[Mermaid_Izzy]

Maybe I should look into a fabric tail first. Of course I have my heart set on a silicone one (just for modeling purposes really), but maybe I can find a good enough fabric one! I've never really looked into the fabric tails because I wanted my tail to look "real" but maybe I am cutting some tails short? Do you have any recommendations for a fabric tail maker?

And the price is brutal. I know my bf would be a LOT happier if I found a fabric tail I loved just as much, if not more, than a silicone one.
Getting a custom silicone tail would cost me upwards of $2k which he's not happy about me spending but he won't tell me no if I really want it.

Also I feel like silicone tails are harder. To travel with than fabric ones. So that's a perk of fabric!

Like I said I got mine from Magical Tail (magictail.de). They are located in Germany and I feel like their tails look very realistic. I think I paid around $250 for mine, it depends on your size for the pricing. They come with a scaled bikini top a bottom to match but I hardly ever wear mine. I will post a pictures of it (it's also my profile pic). I have the color Ariel.

The only downside to fabric tails is you can your joints (heels especially very well).

A pro though is that you can get one for around $50-$100 on average. (FunFin and the Metarlior also have scale patterned fabric tails similar to mine, but fabric tails is the only thing I would suggest you but from the Mertailor)

If you really want realism. Silicone is the way to go. I was going to buy my tail so I did a lot of research. I did find a tail maker, who makes pretty tails and gorgeous tops for a reasonable price. In my opinion she makes mostly pretty tails (looks better than the Mertailor's), but they aren't as realistic as FinFolks. She is really nice and everyone has given her nothing less than 5 stars. Her fully silicone tails start at $1,300. She currently has 3 fluke designs and is about to reveal a fourth. You can check her out at Watersong Mermaid Tails on Facebook.

My tail:

I don't normaly wear the suit that came with it so you can see my pink shorts through it. These were taken last year. I have found a better too to go with it and I wear my scale bottoms.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160809/a8fb3edc972e7b046a874d72836d108e.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160809/3183d01dc2e6358d98d182df52c85249.jpg

[J.Nigma]

Maybe I'll pick up a fabric one to splash around in and get a feel for the swim style before I buy a silicone version next year. Because I like the idea of the practice and portability of the fabric but I will most definitely want the silicone for my photoshoots.

How quickly did you receive yours after ordering?
I'm wondering if I order mine this week if it'll get here before the summer is over.

[Mermaid_Izzy]

Maybe I'll pick up a fabric one to splash around in and get a feel for the swim style before I buy a silicone version next year. Because I like the idea of the practice and portability of the fabric but I will most definitely want the silicone for my photoshoots.

How quickly did you receive yours after ordering?
I'm wondering if I order mine this week if it'll get here before the summer is over.

I can't exactly remember. I know mine took a few weeks (maybe a month : \ ) because it came from Germany. If I were you would look on tailmakers sights and see if it has a shipping time.

[J.Nigma]

I can't exactly remember. I know mine took a few weeks (maybe a month : \ ) because it came from Germany. If I were you would look on tailmakers sights and see if it has a shipping time.
Yeah because if I can get rush shipping and get it by the first of September I could test it out in the Bahamas! Get the real mermaid feel! Haha.

Thanks again for all your help and sharing your knowledge with me!

Please stay in touch! I'd love to be updated on your mer-ventures 💖🌊

[Mermaid_Izzy]

Yeah because if I can get rush shipping and get it by the first of September I could test it out in the Bahamas! Get the real mermaid feel! Haha.

Thanks again for all your help and sharing your knowledge with me!

Please stay in touch! I'd love to be updated on your mer-ventures [emoji178][emoji305]

Not a problem and same here.

And I'd love to be able to go to the Bahamas. [emoji7]

The only beach I have ever been to is Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. Other than that I am landlocked in Virginia to wait until summer so they pool can be opened…[emoji23]

I am supposed to go to the Gulf Coast of Florida next year. Hopefully I will get to go to Clear Water.

[J.Nigma]

Not a problem and same here.

And I'd love to be able to go to the Bahamas. [emoji7]

The only beach I have ever been to is Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. Other than that I am landlocked in Virginia to wait until summer so they pool can be opened…[emoji23]

I am supposed to go to the Gulf Coast of Florida next year. Hopefully I will get to go to Clear Water.
This is actually the first time I'm ever traveling by plane! I'm stuck in PA and the only ocean I've seen is the Jersey shore lol.

So this is an exciting new adventure for me!

[Mermaid_Izzy]

This is actually the first time I'm ever traveling by plane! I'm stuck in PA and the only ocean I've seen is the Jersey shore lol.

So this is an exciting new adventure for me!
I hope you have fun!

[LavondaYzr]

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[J.Nigma]

I FINALLY GOT MY FIRST TAIL!!!! 😍💖

https://youtu.be/F42UcBaDNMw

[Mermaid_Izzy]

I FINALLY GOT MY FIRST TAIL!!!! [emoji7][emoji178]

https://youtu.be/F42UcBaDNMw

It looks gorgeous! [emoji7] Can't wait to hear about your swimming adventures. And I love the glasses, they are almost just like my new ones!


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[J.Nigma]

It looks gorgeous! [emoji7] Can't wait to hear about your swimming adventures. And I love the glasses, they are almost just like my new ones!


Sent from my shellphone using TapaTalk
Haha thank you!!!
And I've had those glasses for YEARS! I actually need a new pair in all reality, they are hella scratched up hahaha

[Mermaid_Izzy]

Haha thank you!!!
And I've had those glasses for YEARS! I actually need a new pair in all reality, they are hella scratched up hahaha

My old pair was the same way and they were supposed to have that no-scratch coating...[emoji23]


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