New to swimming and mermaiding

[ForsakenMermaid]

Hey, mers! I'm ForsakenMermaid. I've already made several posts here before finding this section, so I figured I'd go ahead and introduce myself.

I'm a lifetime mermaid fan, but I'm very new to the water. My fiancé started giving me swimming lessons at the beginning the summer on the condition that I could buy a mermaid tail and be a mermaid after I felt comfortable enough in the water. I'm 30 years old and never had any serious swim lessons, but I'm okay with swimming if it means I can be a mermaid. It took a while to get over my fear of having my head under the water, and to be honest, I still need to work on that, but I've gotten pretty far in the short time I've been training to be a mermaid. I'll know I'm read if I pass the L.A. Mermaid School class I'm registered for in two weeks. I'm really worried that they might kick me out due to my lack of swimming experience, so I've been trying to push myself as hard as I can every weekend leading up to the class.

My favorite movie has been The Little Mermaid ever since it came out when I was 3 years old, and I have never been able to relate to another fictional character as well as I have to Ariel. I love all stories about mermaids, including H2O: Just Add Water, Mako Mermaids, and the Dyesebel telenovella from the Philippines. I've also written and self-published my own adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's original version of "The Little Mermaid," which is available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Land-Sea-Untold-Little-Mermaid-ebook/dp/B003JH90IO

My handle is partially inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's story since the little mermaid was "forsaken" at the end since she had to abandon everything she knew because the prince didn't love her. It's also partially because people always ask me why I don't know how to swim if I'm so obsessed with mermaids, and I tell them I had to give up that life when I became a human, so it's as if I was forsaken by the sea.

My goal isn't to be the best mermaid, but just to go to a pool or lake and be able to put on a mermaid tail and swim in it comfortably, without struggling. It's so nice to know that this community is here to help me break in my fins! :D

[Princess Kae-Leah]

Hey everyone, meet my best friend Lisa/Forsaken Mermaid!! So excited she's finally here!

[Princess Kae-Leah]

When it comes to helpful resources for someone new to mermaiding, you can't go wrong with Raina's stuff. On her YouTube channel, she's covered just about every mermaiding subject imaginable. I'll try to link to vids I think might be especially helpful to you:
So You Want to be a Mermaid? Vlog 2: Mermaid Tails
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6VQEqlfLiw&list=PLL8BBR9r-Pi-RWPAUXZrcbDs25GArBhEk&index=1) So you want to be a MERMAID: Vlog #1: Chlorine! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIXbE29Anpg&list=PLL8BBR9r-Pi-RWPAUXZrcbDs25GArBhEk&index=2)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6VQEqlfLiw&list=PLL8BBR9r-Pi-RWPAUXZrcbDs25GArBhEk&index=1) So You Want to be a Mermaid? Vlog6: Tail Care (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mKaepryAKM&list=PLL8BBR9r-Pi-RWPAUXZrcbDs25GArBhEk&index=6)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6VQEqlfLiw&list=PLL8BBR9r-Pi-RWPAUXZrcbDs25GArBhEk&index=1) So You Want to be a Mermaid? Vlog 8: Safety and Risks (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZmQdRckLvA&list=PLL8BBR9r-Pi-RWPAUXZrcbDs25GArBhEk&index=8)

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6VQEqlfLiw&list=PLL8BBR9r-Pi-RWPAUXZrcbDs25GArBhEk&index=1)

[AniaR]

Hi lisa we have heard so much about you, so wonderful to have you here! welcome!!!

[Merman Storm]

I've done the Sheroes class. I thought I'd give it a try as the pool they use is all of two miles from where I live. They do it in the shallow end of the pool, where the water is about three feet deep. You can stand up anytime you feel the need. Also, they were quite laid back about the entire thing, at least at my class. My guess is they will do their best to accommodate you if you are feeling a bit uncomfortable.

If you want some moral support, I could show up as a fellow Mer. They may not let me in the water, with or without a tail, as I did not pay. But at least I can be there.

Also, I welcome a fellow fiction writer, although all I've done is some Frozen fanfiction (which cannot be on Amazon, as, well, fanfiction.)

[ForsakenMermaid]

I've done the Sheroes class. I thought I'd give it a try as the pool they use is all of two miles from where I live. They do it in the shallow end of the pool, where the water is about three feet deep. You can stand up anytime you feel the need. Also, they were quite laid back about the entire thing, at least at my class. My guess is they will do their best to accommodate you if you are feeling a bit uncomfortable.

If you want some moral support, I could show up as a fellow Mer. They may not let me in the water, with or without a tail, as I did not pay. But at least I can be there.

Also, I welcome a fellow fiction writer, although all I've done is some Frozen fanfiction (which cannot be on Amazon, as, well, fanfiction.)

That is a huge relief! Thank you for telling me that! I've been scouring the internet for reviews, but I couldn't find any real descriptions from anyone who actually took the class outside of advertising and referrals. The deepest my pool gets is 5 feet, but I've mostly been practicing at 3-4 feet, so I should feel right at home. If you read the FAQ on their website at http://www.sheroesentertainment.com/store/la-mermaid-school it makes it sound like they're really strict. They even make you check a box acknowledging that you are aware you will be kicked out with no refund if you don't pass their qualifications. I was hoping they were exaggerating so parents wouldn't sign up their kids who have never swum before and then try to sue them for kicking them out.

I appreciate your offer to give me support, but my fiancé who has been teaching me to swim will be accompanying me to take pictures and keep an eye on me in the water. I would love the opportunity to meet other fellow mers whenever it's convenient, but it's not necessary for you to go out of your way when you don't have a ticket to the class since I'll already have my moral support. ^_^

[Merman Storm]

I recommend you still get as comfortable as you can, so you can satisfy all their requirements.I think I attended the very first class they held at that pool, and things may have changed. Or there will be a different instructor. Besides, being comfortable in the water is a good thing.

[ForsakenMermaid]

The only thing I'm not comfortable with is sticking my head under the water for longer than a few seconds, but I'm working on that.