The landlocked mermaid struggle

[SleepySiren]

So im from a small town in southern New Mexico and im finding getting into the mermaiding scene increasingly frustrating and difficult as there is really nowhere to swim... we do have a few pools but each has a very significant problem...

First we have my colleges pool... its free to get in as a student but $15 PER SWIM if you arent... my boyfriend isnt in college yet and there isnt a lifegaurd so theres nobody to spot me.. which would obviously be dangerous.. its also tiny and doesnt have a deep area, and infested with lane swimmers.

Next up we have the community pool.. it costs $4 per swim, is outdoors, and rediculously crowded all the time.. also the lifeguards are all jerky teens with power complexes.. i havnt even dared take my monofin there

Now theres another community pool in a nearby town thats cheap but o boy does it have other issues. Its small, outdoors, frigid cold, and i swear they dont put enough clorine... like its sort of nice because no burning eyes but also... eww...

Lastly we have the gym pool. Its pretty nice... its indoors, heated, decent size.. problem is its freakin $7 per swim and infested with elderly women wading around... so yeah theres that...

So yeah i donno what to do :|
Any other landlocked mers out there? How do you guys cope?

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[Mermaid_Victoria]

That last pool sounds perfect, who care about if there's elderly women around, they might actually think its cute you're swimming around in a tail. $7 for a visit to the pool is like nothing compared to all the pools around here (Ohio). It's $15 per swim at almost all the nearby pools that are indoors and heated. Once summer starts I can go to my outdoor community pool for free so I only have to deal with the $15 thing during winter months.

I know you prolly want to do a lot of swimming but you could look into maybe just doing things on dry land? Like do birthday parties, photoshoots, children things like reading at the library, conservation events and mermaid yoga/exercise. Just some suggestions you could do in your tail besides swimming. :)

[Echidna]

ah, yes. I know that struggle all too well.
It's already hard to find a pool to do a few quick laps with a fin when all you have are overcrowded public pools,
let alone if you want to practice tricks and choreographies with several mers somewhere deeper.

If you find all pools in your vicinity are always too crowded for safe tailswimming, no matter what hour, you have somewhat limited options.
Here is what we do:
1) find a private/hotel pool. Sometimes, they will let you swim for a small fee and then you're alone most of the time.
2) rent a lane for an hour or two. This is an option at some pools, but usually very expensive.
3) find a pool so cold no one else is willing to swim there. Get a wetsuit so you can bear it better.
4) if there is a pool with a diving well somewhere, try to rent the well for an hour, alternatively they might be willing to rope it off a while for "divers" (jumpers) so you can practice a bit.

I hope you find a solution that works for you.

[Merman Storm]

Although I'm near the coast, its still an hour drive, and too cold most of the year. But I have many options.
The pool in my back yard is warm enough half the year, but a little small for anything but basic testing and floating about.
The gym pool is free because I have a membership, but with just 3 lanes, can be crowded.
The community pool use to not allow mer-tails. But I hike with a group sponsored by the park district, and that gave me a path to open the issue with those in-charge. With a little help, we got the pool folks to allow tail swimming during their lane swimming time. Its actually a great pool: usually not crowded, especially where the diving well is. And just $3.

So, keep looking around, see if you can talk to those in-charge if you get grief. The struggle is real. I wish you luck.

[MermaidFreya]

Hey SleepySiren!
My mersona name is Freya, and I too am in a landlocked state. Colorado, actually. I try and scope out my locations, see when they are busiest and least, and if they allow tails/monofins. I haven't yet swum in a tail at any pool, but have used my monofin in pools before. It's terribly hard when you're in a small and not so deep pool, it's true. What I like to do is use it to practice things like bubble rings, holding my breath, and trying to do short rolls and twists and turns. The last pool you mentioned does somewhat have a kind of steep price, but I think it's honestly the better option. Just always make sure the pool allows you to bring your fin. Don't get discouraged by small pools. While you might not be able to fully swim in them, you can hone other fun skills that will make your experience more fun, and help you out if you want to do performances or anything of the sort.
Merry part merfriend!
~MermaidFreya.

[SleepySiren]

That last pool sounds perfect, who care about if there's elderly women around, they might actually think its cute you're swimming around in a tail. $7 for a visit to the pool is like nothing compared to all the pools around here (Ohio). It's $15 per swim at almost all the nearby pools that are indoors and heated. Once summer starts I can go to my outdoor community pool for free so I only have to deal with the $15 thing during winter months.

I know you prolly want to do a lot of swimming but you could look into maybe just doing things on dry land? Like do birthday parties, photoshoots, children things like reading at the library, conservation events and mermaid yoga/exercise. Just some suggestions you could do in your tail besides swimming. :)Yeah the last pool is definately the most ideal.. to be honest i dont so much mind what the old ladies think.. its more that i am terrified of wacking one of the lil frail gals with a freakin monofin XD they kinda spread out all about the shallow end leaving an elderly mine field of potential victims

Id definately be interested in dry activities... and also my family has a hot tub which although not great for swimming it would be amazing for just basking hahahah. Problem is though i think fabric tails look lovely in water but kinda meh when out of water (i still love fabric tails tho ♡) so im kinda like well i cant justify spending a lot on a sequin or partial latex tail till i get a little more involved in the hobby... which i cant do because i cant swim or do dry activities...

Im gonna look into getting a membership to the gym pool bc my mum gets discounts since shes a hospital employee

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[SleepySiren]

ah, yes. I know that struggle all too well.
It's already hard to find a pool to do a few quick laps with a fin when all you have are overcrowded public pools,
let alone if you want to practice tricks and choreographies with several mers somewhere deeper.

If you find all pools in your vicinity are always too crowded for safe tailswimming, no matter what hour, you have somewhat limited options.
Here is what we do:
1) find a private/hotel pool. Sometimes, they will let you swim for a small fee and then you're alone most of the time.
2) rent a lane for an hour or two. This is an option at some pools, but usually very expensive.
3) find a pool so cold no one else is willing to swim there. Get a wetsuit so you can bear it better.
4) if there is a pool with a diving well somewhere, try to rent the well for an hour, alternatively they might be willing to rope it off a while for "divers" (jumpers) so you can practice a bit.

I hope you find a solution that works for you.That first one is a really good idea... we have a lot of hotels here that are always empty because literally nobody comes here (except for this bike race that only happens once a year).. I will definately have to look into that :)

For number two... yeah that probably wouldn't be the best option for me as i am a n00b and am not really capable swift and graceful back and forth laps yet [emoji28]

Number three would definately be a possibility... but im a huge baby when it comes to cold ;v;

And lasty the only one in this town is the one i mentioned thats ran by power mad teenagers... and i honestly doubt theyd allow it as they always have the diving board open and dont allow you to swim anywhere near it :/



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[SleepySiren]

Although I'm near the coast, its still an hour drive, and too cold most of the year. But I have many options.
The pool in my back yard is warm enough half the year, but a little small for anything but basic testing and floating about.
The gym pool is free because I have a membership, but with just 3 lanes, can be crowded.
The community pool use to not allow mer-tails. But I hike with a group sponsored by the park district, and that gave me a path to open the issue with those in-charge. With a little help, we got the pool folks to allow tail swimming during their lane swimming time. Its actually a great pool: usually not crowded, especially where the diving well is. And just $3.

So, keep looking around, see if you can talk to those in-charge if you get grief. The struggle is real. I wish you luck.Thats cool you helped make that change hahah:)
And thanks, i havnt given up my search yet

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[SleepySiren]

Hey SleepySiren!
My mersona name is Freya, and I too am in a landlocked state. Colorado, actually. I try and scope out my locations, see when they are busiest and least, and if they allow tails/monofins. I haven't yet swum in a tail at any pool, but have used my monofin in pools before. It's terribly hard when you're in a small and not so deep pool, it's true. What I like to do is use it to practice things like bubble rings, holding my breath, and trying to do short rolls and twists and turns. The last pool you mentioned does somewhat have a kind of steep price, but I think it's honestly the better option. Just always make sure the pool allows you to bring your fin. Don't get discouraged by small pools. While you might not be able to fully swim in them, you can hone other fun skills that will make your experience more fun, and help you out if you want to do performances or anything of the sort.
Merry part merfriend!
~MermaidFreya.Hello miss Freya :)
Thanks for your encouraging words haha,

As i mentioned in a previous reply i am looking into getting a membership to the gym pool so hazzah! Only problem is the discount my mum gets only counts for family... and thus my boyfriend whom ive drafted into being my spotter will still need to pay.. which still wont be so bad.

I need to go scope out my colleges pool a little better, I havnt actually gone myself yet... ive only talked to fellow classmates about it.
What sucks royally is that like 5 years ago the college pool was MASSIVE and only $2 for non students... buut it got old so they where like "hey lets just freaking pave over 90% of it and make a gym too"
Ugh i wanna slap whoever made that decision
Anyway yeah i could always go to my colleges pool for practicing holding my breath and bubble tricks since its not very risky and i wouldnt really need a spotter since i dont think even i could manage to drown in 4ft deep water

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[Seaspray Mermaid]

MN mer here, I've only been in a pool with my tail twice (so far). I take my tail to free lakes in the middle of the week whenever possible to practice.
Sending you starfish wishes that you find a solution!

[SleepySiren]

MN mer here, I've only been in a pool with my tail twice (so far). I take my tail to free lakes in the middle of the week whenever possible to practice.
Sending you starfish wishes that you find a solution!Thanks :)
Ive thought about going to lakes but the problem is the nearest lake that allows swimming is 3 hours away :/ we have local hot springs here but they warn you no to put your head underwater because of a brain eating parasite or somethin... yeah im not gonna risk it hahah

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[Echidna]

we have local hot springs here but they warn you no to put your head underwater because of a brain eating parasite or somethin... yeah im not gonna risk it hahah

Balamuthia, naegleria fowleri and all her horrid sisters.
Since I learned of their existence, I refuse to dive without mask & noseclip, because life > looks :p

[SleepySiren]

Balamuthia, naegleria fowleri and all her horrid sisters.
Since I learned of their existence, I refuse to dive without mask & noseclip, because life > looks :pUhhh yeah °-°
I might would do like a mermaid photoshoot at the hotsprings someday (cause they gorgeous and like hot tub warm) but i aint getting that water anywhere near my face

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[Imbrielle]

I live in Edmonton, AB. No clean natural water for miles and all the local pools have a ban on mermaid tails. I don't cope well with this at all. Actually, I'm quite depressed right now

[SleepySiren]

I live in Edmonton, AB. No clean natural water for miles and all the local pools have a ban on mermaid tails. I don't cope well with this at all. Actually, I'm quite depressed right nowAw im so sorry :( maybe try to speak with someone at the pools and see if you can get the ban lifted :)

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[Imbrielle]

Myself and a couple others petitioned, but they are not relenting.

[SleepySiren]

Myself and a couple others petitioned, but they are not relenting.Aw thats a bummer.. maybe try what Echidna suggested and see if any hotels will let you swim there:)

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[Mermaid Keto]

I live in New Mexico too. I still haven't found a pool to swim at.
There are two options for me. One is the gym, but I stopped going because there was some really perverted old men there. Ewww. The second is the public pool which is about $7, which is also overrun with lane swimmers. Also the last time I was there, some teenagers made fun of me.

So I definitely feel your pain.

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[SleepySiren]

I live in New Mexico too. I still haven't found a pool to swim at.
There are two options for me. One is the gym, but I stopped going because there was some really perverted old men there. Ewww. The second is the public pool which is about $7, which is also overrun with lane swimmers. Also the last time I was there, some teenagers made fun of me.

So I definitely feel your pain.

Sent from my [device_name] using MerNetwork mobile appAhhh another NM mermaid :D I was afraid I was alone!

But anyway, yeah pervy old men are definately something to avoid... and ugh curse lane swimmers... i mean theyre fine, just really reaaally annoying :/

And ugh teenagers are the worst (i say as i myself, am i teenager), especially in certain communities.. here the majority are the FFA, 4-H, and rodeo type with a bit of wannabe gangster thrown in.. so as you could imagine mermaiding isnt anywhere near their definition of normal. I havnt had any strangers make fun of me yet but thats most likely because i dont get to swim often

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[Mermaid Keto]

I am also a teenager!!! I wish the people here were rodeo, a lot of them are gangsters.
I had never been made fun of before, until that event. It sucks.

I wish I could just buy a pool. But you know . . . broke teenager.

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[SleepySiren]

I am also a teenager!!! I wish the people here were rodeo, a lot of them are gangsters.
I had never been made fun of before, until that event. It sucks.

I wish I could just buy a pool. But you know . . . broke teenager.

Sent from my [device_name] using MerNetwork mobile appSame state and same age range? Our friendship was meant to be hahah XD

Rodeo people arent the worst... but in my experience theyre quite judgy :/
I guess you just gotta try not to let people get to ya (easier said than done and cliche advice right there)

But oh my gosh i wish i had a pool..
Ive been joking with my dad that if he builds me a pool ill stay here for college hahah


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[Mermaid Keto]

Ohmigosh! I need to try that!!!
Yeah, I'll get over it. And I think I'm just going to try swimming like right when they open or when they're about to close.

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[SleepySiren]

Ohmigosh! I need to try that!!!
Yeah, I'll get over it. And I think I'm just going to try swimming like right when they open or when they're about to close.

Sent from my [device_name] using MerNetwork mobile appYou could try asking the lifeguard when theyre generally the least busy..
Do you mind me asking where in NM you live?

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[Mermaid Keto]

That is a good idea!
I don't mind. I live in Albuquerque.

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[SleepySiren]

That is a good idea!
I don't mind. I live in Albuquerque.

Sent from my [device_name] using MerNetwork mobile appOh nice :) I have a cousin living there
I live in Silver City myself


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[Mermaid Keto]

That's cool
I've never been to Silver City.

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[SleepySiren]

That's cool
I've never been to Silver City.

Sent from my [device_name] using MerNetwork mobile appNot much to see hahah

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[Mermaid Keto]

Same . . .

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[SleepySiren]

Same . . .

Sent from my [device_name] using MerNetwork mobile appLeast theres stuff to do and places too shop in Albuquerque... we have walmart and a ghetto movie theater... thats about it hahah

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[Mermaid Keto]

Oh, yeah. That sucks.

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[SleepySiren]

Oh, yeah. That sucks.

Sent from my [device_name] using MerNetwork mobile appO well, what can ya do ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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[AbbyOfGailous]

I feel the struggle. Thankfully, when I moved to Arizona there was already an established pod so all I had todo was ask them. They meet three hours away from me but there are some closer and I finally found a pool open year round that allows tails, and it’s only 33 miles away. YMCA is apparently good for that.

[SleepySiren]

I feel the struggle. Thankfully, when I moved to Arizona there was already an established pod so all I had todo was ask them. They meet three hours away from me but there are some closer and I finally found a pool open year round that allows tails, and it’s only 33 miles away. YMCA is apparently good for that.Ugh AZ is so much nicer than NM... my fam visits Tucson and Phoenix a lot and its always depressing when i go back home lolol

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[Mermaid Delphinidae]

I'm not landlocked, but the beaches I live near are dirty and not great for swimming in. Pretty sure Galveston has flesh-eating bacteria or something. I'm also lacking pools and other places to swim in. Fortunately my local gym allows me to use my monofin and I doubt they'll care when I try out my tail tonight, ha ha. But the pool isn't very deep so I can't practice diving, that's a bummer. Also there are pervy old men sometimes, so that sucks.

[SleepySiren]

I'm not landlocked, but the beaches I live near are dirty and not great for swimming in. Pretty sure Galveston has flesh-eating bacteria or something. I'm also lacking pools and other places to swim in. Fortunately my local gym allows me to use my monofin and I doubt they'll care when I try out my tail tonight, ha ha. But the pool isn't very deep so I can't practice diving, that's a bummer. Also there are pervy old men sometimes, so that sucks.Ohh Ive been to Galveston before:) i enjoyed it there but it was like 4 years ago and i just passed through and got food there hahah
I remember they had a cool statue by the beach of like Poseidon holding orphans or somethin though
I finally got a membership at my local gym so yayyy! Same problem here though.. its only like 5 1/2 foot deep... i smashed my face against the bottom of the pool about an hour ago [emoji28]

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[Cerúleo Marez]

Hello! I'm a newbie mer who lives in Albuquerque. Your town might be a bit far from me but I'm looking for other mers in the state. Maybe we can organise a swim sometime? I've been wanting to go to the Blue Hole in Santa Rosa.

[SleepySiren]

Hello! I'm a newbie mer who lives in Albuquerque. Your town might be a bit far from me but I'm looking for other mers in the state. Maybe we can organise a swim sometime? I've been wanting to go to the Blue Hole in Santa Rosa.Hi! Dude thatd be amazing, that place is absolutely gorgeous! I have family up in ABQ so I could prob go up sometime this summer :)

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[Cerúleo Marez]

Yay, I'm glad I've found this site! I was beginning to think I was the only mer in the state.

[SleepySiren]

Yay, I'm glad I've found this site! I was beginning to think I was the only mer in the state.Hahah I feel you!

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[Mermaid Keto]

Same dude! Good to see some more NM mers.

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[Cerúleo Marez]

Same dude! Good to see some more NM mers.

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Yay, 505/575 represent!! Are you guys members of the FB group New Mexico Mermaids and Merfolk? https://www.facebook.com/groups/NMMermaids/

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[SleepySiren]

Yay, 505/575 represent!! Are you guys members of the FB group New Mexico Mermaids and Merfolk? https://www.facebook.com/groups/NMMermaids/

Sent from my [device_name] using MerNetwork mobile appOhh no I didnt know it existed! I just requested to join :)

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[Mermaid Keto]

Nope, this is the only type of social media I use.

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[Cerúleo Marez]

Ohh no I didnt know it existed! I just requested to join :)

Sent from my [device_name] using MerNetwork mobile appYay! It may take a few days for Stephanie to approve you. I had to send a message to her because she didn't realise my request was pending.

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[Cerúleo Marez]

Nope, this is the only type of social media I use.

Sent from my [device_name] using MerNetwork mobile appYou're probably better off, tbh. It's too addictive.

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[Mermaid Keto]

Yeah, I used to have a few. That's why I quite. I was spending way too much time on it.

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