tail for a newbie and her baby newbies

[mermaidwhisperer]

Hi guys, I need some really basic information about tails, and trying to read all the threads is making me dizzy-I'm under caffeinated.
I'd like to dip my toe into the mer waters starting with my daughters-I'd like to get them tails they could use in a pool as Christmas presents. One will be turning 9, one will be 4.5 then.

Questions
1) Do they make swimming harder or more difficult? Do they work like flippers at all?
2) What's the youngest mer you know to get a tail? I'm assuming 4 is pretty young, because she can only just swim, but I also know if she does not get one, the other sister will 'accidentally' be smothered in her sleep and tail stolen, lol.
3) What is a good decent brand at a good decent price? Something sparkling would be good but not out right fancy-my kids can break everything labelled 'unbreakable' 'waterproof' 'washable' and 'heavy duty.'
4) What time frame would I be looking at?
5) What are the sizing guides-my kids are at ages when they're growing like weeds.
6)And of course, what's the pricing like?

Any help would be appreciated! Especially if you deal with kids who use them :)

[Echinacea]

Check Fin Fun Mermaids, Whisper - they offer tails for younglings with and without monofins, so the little one could start with one without a monofin while she learns, then add the fin later once she is a more accomplished swimmer. http://www.finfunmermaid.com/ Their prices are pretty good, they offer sparkly tails, I think the website says about two weeks turnaround, and there is a sizing chart. They also offer custom adult sizes, if Mom wants a matching style. ;)

[Mermaid~Summer]

Check out the oceanika merfins. It might be the best way to go

[mermaidwhisperer]

Thanks guys

[Echinacea]

Oceanika merfins are sort of local for you, I think, Whisper, so lead time and shipping may be cheaper!

[Mermaid Tula]

I agree with FinFun. They have some cute tails, like Echinacea said, with or without monofin. They're tails are decently priced.

As to your questions. I'll try to answer the best I can!

1: I honestly think tails help me swim better. I go swimming as much as I can in my tail, and when I take my tail off, I feel like I just don't swim as well as I do when in tail.
2: I think the youngest I've heard of is in the 6-8 age range. For younger kids, I'd recommend a tail with no monofin, and possibly velcro for quick removal just in case.
3: Again, Finfun mainly makes tails for younger kids, and from what I've read up on, they're pretty durable.
4: The time to get them seems very quick since it's a fabric tail.
5: Here's the link to their measurement chart http://www.finfunmermaid.com/mermaid-tail-size-charts
6: The prices vary. The Lowest in the Toddler Tails is $30, and the lowest in the Kids Tails (child and teen) is about $48 and if you want a monofin with it, there's an extra $45.

[Anahita]

Well, I'll do the best I can from what I know/remember:

1) Do they make swimming harder or more difficult? Do they work like flippers at all?
a- Yes and no. For kids and adults who have never learned a dolphin kick, they will have trouble getting the hang of it at first. Once the dolphin kick is learned though, depending on the material of the tail, it either doesn't make a difference, or it makes you slice through the water with incredible ease. If you purchase tail with a monofin, they work like dive flippers. They give you the most "bang for your buck" in terms of energy expended and distance traveled. But keep in mind, some tails don't have monofins, and this won't apply to them.


2) What's the youngest mer you know to get a tail? I'm assuming 4 is pretty young, because she can only just swim, but I also know if she does not get one, the other sister will 'accidentally' be smothered in her sleep and tail stolen, lol.
My sister and I used to make out own fabric tails/have our mom make them for us. My sister was about 3 when she first got hers, but I was about four when I first got mine. However, it's important to note that my sister and I did NOT learn front-crawl, frog kicking, doggy paddle, or flutter kick until we were older. Our first style of swimming we learned/were taught was dolphin kick with a butterfly stroke to help us come up for air and water treading to "stand" in the deep areas when we needed more air. Our mother made sure to remind us constantly that we could not do the latter when we had the tails on to avoid any accidents.

3) What is a good decent brand at a good decent price? Something sparkling would be good but not out right fancy-my kids can break everything labelled 'unbreakable' 'waterproof' 'washable' and 'heavy duty.'
Fin Fun seems to be a good place to go. They have accommodations for both younger children AND toddlers, so a 9 year old and a 4.5 year old would definitely be something they're in the market for. I've also not recently seen any "problem" reviews on them here.

4) What time frame would I be looking at?
It varies per maker... Fabric shouldn't take too long, but I would definitely inquire first before placing an order. Keep in mind there are usually a lot of people placing order for these things both during the summer and around the Christmas season, and that can affect how long it takes to get an order.

5) What are the sizing guides-my kids are at ages when they're growing like weeds.
Er, I think this varies by maker too. Don't get a very expensive tail if this is the case. A cheap fabric one should be fine for a kid. They don't need a full silicone one or anything. Don't over-measure for growth though, because this can make the tail drag and become dangerous.

6)And of course, what's the pricing like?
Fabric tails are usually pretty reasonable. Usually $100 I imagine. I've always made my own tails though, so I wouldn't really trust my word on the price. Lol

Hope that helps a bit.

[MerEmma]

I love my Oceanika/Mahina and I think I recommend it for your kids! It's a bit pricier but I really, really love mine and a fabric tail will start to fade, rip, etc. after a lot of use. It depends a lot on budget and preference, though!

[Mermaid Miel]

Hello! I'm in SA and I make fabric tail skins for within Australia. www.facebook.com/mielsmermaidtails

1) Do they make swimming harder or more difficult? Do they work like flippers at all?
It depends upon the kid's swimming ability, Once they have the dolphin kick down then it's easier with the monofin.

2) What's the youngest mer you know to get a tail? I'm assuming 4 is pretty young, because she can only just swim, but I also know if she does not get one, the other sister will 'accidentally' be smothered in her sleep and tail stolen, lol.
I made my first Walkable tail for the 2yr old sister of my first Client. I usually recommend walkable tails for kids under 6-7yrs. They can be made to cover the monofin/flippers but because of their open bottom they are easier to get out of if the kid panics or needs to quickly leave the pool. They can be hoisted up around their knees so they can walk in them... like a long skirt.

3) What is a good decent brand at a good decent price? Something sparkling would be good but not out right fancy-my kids can break everything labelled 'unbreakable' 'waterproof' 'washable' and 'heavy duty.'
Fabric wise, Foil Fabrics are very sparkly, but only for the first 3 light swims, they start to loose their shine after that and the foil will rub off around the heels, bum and occasionally, knees... anywhere the mermaid rests on rough surfaces like tiles. They are still Beautiful though and I reccommend the Shatterglass range for Sparkles and Durability.
Most of my Fabric Tails (whether plain or sparkly) are a thick medium weight fabric and serged seams, they should last 1-2 months of heavy usage or 6 months of delicate use.

4) What time frame would I be looking at?
I do my tails in 4 weeks, less for birthdays.

5) What are the sizing guides-my kids are at ages when they're growing like weeds.
I make to individual measurements with High waists. This is not just for modesty, but if your child has a sudden growth spurt then the tail should still fit. I like tight measurements, loose tails can float off after two kicks and a tight Spandex Fabric tail stretches over time to fit perfectly.

6)And of course, what's the pricing like?
Depending on Design (one fabric or two?)
$50-60 for Walkable Designs, $60-80 for Swimmable designs.

I Don't sell monofins or flippers. I recommend either the Mermaid Mahina's Merfin or the Finis Mermaids Monofin both have their pros and cons.

Also don't forget to teach them the Golden Rule of Mermaiding. A Mermaid Never Swims Alone.
This is as true for an Adult Professional Mermaid as it is for a young Merling.

Hope this Helps!

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