Mermaid rides

[Mermaidmechanic]

Now, I know I don't have a tail yet, but I wanted to share something with you guys here who do pro mermaiding (or mermaid with kids around). I don't know if anyone has tried this before yet, so I'm sorry if it's redundant. My niece, nephew, and slew of young cousins all refer to me as a "mermaid" due to my affinity for the water and strong swimming abilities. I give the better swimmers "mermaid rides" which consist of the typical method of holding on while I swim around or dive under for a short period of time. While effective, it slows me down and the younger kids who still have to wear floaties or an inner-tube are very sad to have to sit by and watch all the fun. To solve both problems (and the third problem of an occasion bathing suit tug or holding my neck too tight @_@) I did this: I took a belt made of cloth with a decorative ring in the center and secured it around my waist. Then I cut a piece of pool noodle and ran a soft, thick rope through it essentially making reins. I secured the rope to my waist then dive under and swim around. The kids hold on to the small section of pool noodle that floats above water. All the kids love it, can participate whether they swim well or not, and I dont get hurt or my suit tugged on. What do you think? If you want, I can post a video tomorrow showing the exact process. :P

[Mermaid Kalliope]

Oh my gosh!!! That sounds brilliant! :D I would love to see this in action!

[MerAnthony]

I have seen in pictures of other mermaids with children on there back giving them a ride. This could be interesting to see.

[AniaR]

I get kids to hold onto my belt. Honestly, I am so floaty in my mermaid tail I don't usually need much else!

[Mermaid Dottie]

Oh, yes! A video would be good. I often get asked if I can give rides, but I'm a little scared to try it.

[Mermaidmechanic]

This is a quick example of me giving my niece a ride. You can kinda see I'm wearing a belt and the rope is attached with a carbine clip.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q_p-cF08Ms&feature=youtu.be

[Mermaid Tula]

Neat! Love the giggles! <3

[Mermaid Kalliope]

Oh my goodness! That is so cool! The cord seems a tad long, but understandable so you don't kick the little tykes. Haha That is a really neat idea. It would be cool to see an expanded idea that was really "mermaidy". ^_^ Great job!!!

[Mermaidmechanic]

I experimented with different lengths and the perfect length is when you can be at the bottom of the deepest part of the pool and the noodle is still above the water. :P They really love it. I plan on eventually making a version of this that is more "mermaid" like but for now, this is just a way to entertain the kids in my family. XD

[MerAnthony]

While I was looking at that there was another thing I was thinking that even thoe swimming in a tail is great for the legs an hips an so on. It also puts more resistance while swimming like that. While having somebody in tow. I like that idea.

[Mermaidmechanic]

The belt with a ring in the center and the carbine clip is a god send though. It's easy to attach/ detach in the event that something goes wrong (or they try to pull you out of the water with the rope) I imagine you would have to make all sorts of rules to use it professionally, but it really is the best way I've found to giving little kids rides.

@MerAnthony: Yeah, it's quite the work out. Not so much with my niece because she is so tiny, but my nephew is hard to pull! Hes a little older and a bit of a tank. He also likes to fight me pulling him (like he's trying to catch a really big fish) but if you're a strong swimmer you can even pull adults with this method. I imagine a tail would make short work of this though. :P

[Mermaid Kalliope]

It still looks like a great idea! I'd love to try it, but lack the resources and the children. Haha Someday, maybe. ^_^

It'd be funny to use in the ocean in open water to let boats know where you are. XP

[Mermaidmechanic]

Haha, like a fishing bobber. :P

[Mermaid Kalliope]

Haha exactly! :-P Make it one of those white and red ones, only like GIANT. That'd be funny to see. A 3ft wide fishing bobber.

[Christopher Chandler]

Very cool for little kids!

[H. M.]

That's a great idea! Thanks, I'm going to try this next time.

[angelstarfish]

nice!!! could you perhaps post a video on how to make a pull-belt? unless you have it copyrighted, of course....


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[AniaR]

... I just give them rides. You all might be over complicating it ;) when I was at ncmerfest people watched me do it during adopt a mermaid. Then their kids wanted rides. So they hopped in and just went for it and gave their first rides totally fine.

Find a kid in your family and try

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[Mermaid Gipsy]

This is a great idea! I might have to borrow it. ;)