Aquariums....

[Mermaid Marissa]

For all of those who have performed at an aquarium or know about performing there, how did you do it? Did they ask you or were you all like, "hey! want a mermaid at your aquarium?" I live by one and I have always wanted to perform there! I'm getting a new latex tail pretty soon and I was wondering if anyone had any advice.

[Sea Pearl]

That's actually a good question Mermaid Marissa. I've often wondered about that! Would be interesting to see what the whole process is for something like that.

[LittleTreasure]

I actually was wondering that too recently. Too bad I don't live near any aquariums. T_T

[Spindrift]

I think you can pitch the idea to them. I'm not sure if they will let you swim in the actual aquarium but they might let you do dry stuff. Swimming in the tank offers too many liabilities especially if you are not certified: you would probably need to show them toxicity test results that your tail materials won't harm or leach into the water and that you know how to handle yourself in a tank with sea creatures.

[Sitre Seer Moroaica]

The Denver Aquarium has Mermaids who I was honoured to meet and talk to before they had to be rolled off in the back since it was late at night. I asked them about the process because I have had too many people ask me if I work there lol They said there is an application process to run through and tests which include how long you can hold your breath for, if you can do free diving, how well you work with the tail and how you perform under water in that tail.

Other aquariums I would definitely talk to about it but I'm positive you'd have to run through the same tests because they want money and audience and some Mermaid who cant provide probably wouldnt be a good idea and total lost of money through advertisement etc. So before anything I'd make sure that you can do all of that sufficiently before bringing up the idea for it. But I'd still say go for it :)

[AniaR]

I think some aquariums actively look for people, and for others you'd need to write a comprehensive proposal and get performers insurance and maybe some other things too. We sadly don't have any large-scale aquariums out my way, about 5 hours away there is a new one, but because we're atlantic ocean our native species live in very cold water. It warms up a little bit in August/September, but when I tell people the general temp of ocean water at it's hottest their eyes bulge lol. Id like to swim in an aquarium- but I don't think it'll be happening on this side of Canada anytime soon- Unless I want to freeze lol

[Mermaid Marissa]

I try these ideas (for those of you who don't know, I live by the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago) I think I will try and talk to them. I think I'm just a bit slow (that and it's kinda late) :p but can some explain the test process in a bit more detail?

[Spindrift]

MermaidOndine tried out for the Dive Bar in California. She talks a little bit about her experiences here: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?1528-Merserch-for-a-Profession-Mermaid! (http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?1528-Merserch-for-a-Profession-Mermaid!&highlight=ondine)

Not sure if a similar process would be used, but it's a start.

[Mermaid Marissa]

MermaidOndine tried out for the Dive Bar in California. She talks a little bit about her experiences here: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?1528-Merserch-for-a-Profession-Mermaid! (http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?1528-Merserch-for-a-Profession-Mermaid!&highlight=ondine)

Not sure if a similar process would be used, but it's a start.

Thanks! I feel like that helped but I think I might need more info. I'm going to talk to the people at the Shedd and see if this is even a possibility (fins crossed) but I think I want to do it after finals are over. I also want to know what it's like swimming in a tank with fish. I know they shouldn't bug you but I heard it was different then swimming in the sea. Is that true?

[Spindrift]

Lol I'm sure you would have to be more aware of how much space you have since it might be hard to see glass/boundaries. It might look a little odd if you have a mermaid in a tank that keeps on bumping the glass. :P Also I have no idea if this is a legitimate concern or not, but that's a lot of fish in a concentrated space and your eyes will be open in water that the fish do their business in and scales are falling, etc. Just make sure your eyes are cleaned and stuff when you get out, I guess, so that you don't get any infections or whatever.

[Mermaid Marissa]

I know there are a bunch of reef fish, eels and a turtle in the tank but there are also some sharks. I have never swam with sharks before and I guess they'd train me? I guess I shouldn't be to worried. :p

[Merjackie]

I am a mermaid at the Denver aquarium and we had to do swim tests, a free dive test and a character test

[Mermaid Fenicia]

I live close to Aquatopia (http://www.aquatopia.be/) her in Antwerp. When I was in the center of Antwerp,I just walked in and asked for the manager. I showed him a clip (on my mobile) of me swimming in 1 of my tails and asked if he was interested if I would swim there. He told me that it was impossible as the safety here in Belgium is very strict. So I asked him if he was interested if I could sit there as they do dry events there too, he told me to phone me if there was an event. I'm still waiting for that call :(

[Mermaid Marissa]

thanks to everyone for your great ideas and suggestions! you guys are the best!

[Mermaid Marissa]

I live close to Aquatopia (http://www.aquatopia.be/) her in Antwerp. When I was in the center of Antwerp,I just walked in and asked for the manager. I showed him a clip (on my mobile) of me swimming in 1 of my tails and asked if he was interested if I would swim there. He told me that it was impossible as the safety here in Belgium is very strict. So I asked him if he was interested if I could sit there as they do dry events there too, he told me to phone me if there was an event. I'm still waiting for that call :(

I would try phoning him again... depending on how long ago that conversation was (I know this sucks) he probably forgot about you :( if you phone him again that shows that you are really interested and won't take no for an answer! Good luck!!

[Kanti]

Like other people said, if they've never had people in there mermaiding before you might need to
pitch the idea to them. If you're professional about it, you could potentially convince them.

If you brought a "mermaid resume" that stated your experiences in swimming, how long you can
hold your breath, your animal experience, your previous mermaiding jobs/proejcts, and maybe
even a few photos of your different types of tails (I would NOT bring an ALEX tail to an aquarium
as it could be potentially dangerous to the animals living in the tank) that they can choose from.

You could tell them that it'd be a great photo opportunity for children, etc. and maybe give examples
of other aquariums that have mermaids.

[Mermaid Fenicia]

I would try phoning him again... depending on how long ago that conversation was (I know this sucks) he probably forgot about you :( if you phone him again that shows that you are really interested and won't take no for an answer! Good luck!!
I don't phone him but spoke to him in person. I even spoke to him a second time with more info about me and showed him newer clips. Again still waiting for that phone call from him.

[Mermaid Marissa]

I don't phone him but spoke to him in person. I even spoke to him a second time with more info about me and showed him newer clips. Again still waiting for that phone call from him.

I wish you the best of luck :) I'm sure he'll call back

[Mermaid Fenicia]

I don't think so, as they already have there own mascot for events :(