PDA

View Full Version : Another (not so wild) Kiwi appears...



Jason
11-05-2016, 02:02 AM
Hi everyone,

Wow, staring at a blank textbox, trying to figure out what to say, really is quite intimidating!

So hi, I'm Jason, and don't have a mer name (yet, maybe). I'm 40-mumble years old and live in Auckland, New Zealand. I have been fascinated with merfolk for decades, but have not done all that much myself to explore being a merman. I managed to find a monofin on TradeMe (NZ's alternative to ebay) a few years ago, but haven't had many opportunities to learn to swim with it effectively. When I did get to try it out, I found it to be a lot harder than I had anticipated, so it has been sitting in storage for a while now. It probably doesn't help that I lead a fairly sedentary lifestyle (IT professional) and have a touch of asthma, so I suspect my fitness levels might be what would hold me back the most. I don't have any aspirations of being a professional merman like many of you here, but I am interested in this just for my own personal enjoyment and escapism from the drudgery that is adult life.

I've really loved the times when I've been able to go snorkling, and have often thought about doing a SCUBA course so that I can explore further, but have never managed to find the time. I think if I ever managed to get SCUBA certified, then I would probably indulge myself and get an Otter Bay custom mermaid wetsuit. Although, some of the other tail makers' products are quite spectacular -- it has been exciting to see the steady increase in the quality of what is possible to be made, as materials technology has progressed. Maybe I'd have to get a silicone tail too, just for show, because there's nothing wrong with a guy wanting to be pretty sometimes too, right? :)

malinghi
11-05-2016, 04:30 AM
Welcome! I strongly encourage you to try scuba diving. There are special dives that are offered for people without certification to try it out, so if you want to get a taste of diving before committing to a certification course, you can do that. Google "PADI Discover Scuba Diving".

I agree that silicone tails are awesome. Ultimately there are a lot of different activities that people do to experience the fantasy of being a merfolk- wearing a costume to look like a merfolk, swimming with a monofin to experience the sensation of having a tail, scuba diving to experience underwater breathing, or any combination of those things. Its really about whatever appeals to you.

Also, I think this whole hobby works better as a social thing. I strongly encourage you to try to find other people in your area to hang out with, both because you can learn a lot from them, and because it's more fun.

Keiris
11-05-2016, 09:47 PM
Hi Jason Welcome! You're right! There is certainly "nothing wrong with a guy wanting to be pretty." lol Enjoy your swim here.

MermaidLiara
11-09-2016, 01:37 AM
Welcome Jason! I'm also a big fan of snorkling. I also really like scuba diving, I recommend it. Indeed, nothing wrong with a guy wanting to be pretty!

Asvel
11-09-2016, 09:13 PM
I'm really, really not a fan of Discover SCUBA. Suggest you do a basic open water course instead. It's well worth it for the actual qualification.

That said, hello and welcome! We always need more Kiwis. Do you dive for shellfish?

Jason
11-15-2016, 06:57 AM
Thanks for the warm welcome everyone.

SCUBA is definitely on the to-do list in some shape or form. I won't be diving into that (see what I did there?) for a little while though, as I am currently hunting for employment. Once I can be assured of a roof over my head then I can consider such things.

Asvel, no, I'm not a fan of shellfish, so all of my snorkelling excursions have simply been for enjoying the wonderful sights beneath the waves. And yay for Kiwis!