Happy 40th Birthday Hannah Fraser! Pics and Video heavy!

[AniaR]

Believe it or not, Hannah just turned 40! Which is insane, because lady has a killer bod (she's vegan and works out constantly and comes from a family that raised her with a crazy healthy life style) It's crazy I have been following Hannah since she was 28. Which is how old I am now! Who'd have known how crazy the mer world would come since then!

So In honour of Hannah... photo and video dump of some of my fav stuff!

Hannah has made, but also worn, numerous tails! She started with them when she was a kid, making them out of a boomerang and garbage bags!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1/226969_5433286956_5765_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1/230064_5433291956_6008_n.jpg

Hannah has had MANY tails over the years! Isn't it inspiring to see how far she's come?

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1/230684_5433196956_4491_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1/552397_10151086176131957_124445597_n.jpg

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One of the most iconic photos of Hannah, (that often gets stolen ugggh) Underwater during the shoot of Nautical Angels Calendar by Bigfoot Entertainment mid 2006. Photo by Michael Gleissner
http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs14/f/2007/028/c/7/Hannah_underwater_in_Cebu_by_HannahMermaid.jpg

Here is Hannah in the Galapogos! Photo by Jack English Feb 2006.

http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs15/f/2007/028/b/e/Hannah_Mermaid_in_Galapagos_Is_by_HannahMermaid.jp g

Another one of the iconic images
https://scontent-b-mxp.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/t1/341_33255941956_6740_n.jpg

I'm sure we all remember when she swam with humpbacks?
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1/341_33257496956_7172_n.jpg

Did you know Hannah test drove the tail for "Fish Tails?" a big motion picture?! Officially mermaid approved!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/t1/341_33257536956_9985_n.jpg

Hannah also does Ariel Acts!
https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/549064_10151086199716957_96311057_n.jpg

She's not afraid of sharks...
https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/21473_10151086200966957_2147471559_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1/579426_10151086201386957_315953938_n.jpg

She is a fashionista!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/t1/404223_10151086242111957_632875396_n.jpg

Hannah is an ACTIVIST
https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/t1/260_22349346956_6100_n.jpg



Hannah isn't just a mermaid she's a killer model too!
https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1/525000_10151430362286414_406777682_n.jpg

Underwater dancer!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1/1623_10151622023611414_1811662376_n.jpg

Meeting a dolphin that could not be rehabilitated (she's spoken about this before)
https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/11444_186479886413_3033789_n.jpg

Gurl got muscles
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1/11444_186493806413_1069523_n.jpg

she is STRONG
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1/11444_186494141413_8347033_n.jpg


She met Daryl Hannah...
https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1/p206x206/11444_192192761413_5390878_n.jpg

She's performed in amazing aquariums
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/t31/244396_10150281720471414_7136867_o.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t31/259169_10150281720246414_3591206_o.jpg

She was on fact or faked
https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/63626_10150103573626414_4606527_n.jpg

Did you know Hannah is also an illustrator
(from her website)

http://hannahfraser.com/IMGS/BIG/md019.jpg

http://hannahfraser.com/IMGS/BIG/mr004.jpg

Hannah is also a photographer!
(from her website)
http://hannahfraser.com/PHOTO/PICS/photos/big/1.jpg

http://hannahfraser.com/mermaid/slippages/uploads/images/fullsize/image-7-257-236.jpg

Protesting in Taiji
http://hannahfraser.com/mermaid/slippages/uploads/images/fullsize/image-7-156-143.jpg

http://hannahfraser.com/mermaid/slippages/uploads/images/fullsize/image-7-260-239.jpg

http://hannahfraser.com/mermaid/slippages/uploads/images/fullsize/image-7-588-560.jpg

THERE ARE SO MANY AMAZING ONES. Now... on to the amazing videos!

Watch this video to see her SWIM WITH A FREAKING WHITE SHARK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gaMdUA-BAQ


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0NLPYMxqRk


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smPUTl2g2qA


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xps7klk31FI


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXo47A2fYVo


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RpxX7Av0VI


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KV_jRjkAVo


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kawqqjLli9I


GO WATCH MORE.

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I want to tell you all about the woman who has inspired me for about a decade now. I first found her on the internet nearly ten years ago, and watching her inspired me to overcome illness. Hannah Mermaid (https://www.facebook.com/HannahMermaid) is amazing. She is inspiring. To me, she's the mermaid queen!

There's a lot of buzz around pro mermaids giving them self titles "the best" "the most professional" "the most famous" etc. But I believe a title like that is not something you give yourself.

So I want to tell YOU about why in my life, Hannah is the best living mermaid. (Annette Kellerman would be my #1, may she RIP). I don't want you to be mistaken. I believe all mermaids are awesome and wonderful, and everyone is the best at something in their own way. But for me, Hannah embodies everything I want to be. I'm not saying I want to go and do whats she does- physically I couldn't. But who she is as a person and a mermaid has really touched so many people. She has enabled so many people too.

Here is a little selection of the reasons why I believe Hannah to be for me, the world's best mermaid:

-One of the first professional mermaids, she pioneered this field
-From very early on her website detailed how to make a mermaid tail (when most at the time were as secretive as possible)
-She actually protested in the Cove in Taiji Japan against dolphin slaughter (you can see her in the film get rammed at and threatened with boats)
-She free dives with WILD sharks in the OCEAN (no captive bred and fed sharks here)
-She swam with a GREAT WHITE SHARK (you can see it on the trailer of her upcoming documentary)
-From early on in her career Hannah brought celebrities and everyday people together over issues of ocean conservation
-Hannah has worked with notable photographers and videographers from all over the world
-Hannah has swam in aquariums all over the world and made it possible for others to do the same
-She made her own tails and they kick butt! (while some pro mermaids totally do make their own tails a lot of us rely on other tail makers. I always have respect for people who can make their own)
-Hannah leads by example encouraging a healthy life style and diet
-Whalesharks! She swam with them! And humpback whales!
-She was instrumental in the C.I.T.E.S decision to protect Manta Rays with her Manta's Last Dance campaign
-She’s releasing a documentary that shows her efforts for conservation and it’s sure to inspire
-She’s proven that you can live your dreams, by making mermaid tails from a young age, creating her mermaid job, and meeting some of her amazing idols. She is inspiring. Without her this really wouldn't be a reality for most of us
-Hannah is kind and humble and encourages others. She doesn't place herself above.
-Hannah values and encourages children. She doesn't belittle work with them.


Hannah isn't all talk about saving the ocean, or out there doing it for publicity. Hannah has risked her life and safety. She had dedicated years of her life. It's no gimmick, this woman love the sea and wants to protect it.

I think it's amazing that social networking has brought us all together so that us up and coming mers and recreationalists can reach out to someone we've idolized for years. I remember scowering the internet for details about her, images, videos... now I can shoot a message her way via facebook, it's trippy. I wrote about her in my book, and I love checking out her work everyday.

If you don't already follow her, please check her out. All of these images are reshared from her facebook page. The two photos on the left are by our mutual photographer friend Andy (aka Wildplaces), and the photos on the right have their credit on the watermark.



HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANNAH

[BayouMermaid]

What a wonderful tribute for an amazing woman! And she is in great shape... I really thought she was no older than 35. Hannah Fraser was the first person that I had heard of being a professional mermaid. Her commitment to the environment and activism is extraordinary, and she is such an inspiration to humans and merfolk alike. Happy Birthday Hannah!

[FreshWaterMermaid]

She is such an amazing person! She's my fav mer, is so sweet, an definitely my Idol. I remember years ago when I first saw her videos on YouTube, contacted her, and was so surprised and thrilled that she had taken the time to respond to me. One day, hopefully, I would be able to meet her!
Cool birthday thread for her Raina :) I can't believe she's 40! Lol

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

[Mermaid Jaffa]

Happy Birthday Mermaid Hannah!

[Jeblily]

I just wanted to post this video because Hannah has also made tails for other people and is a tailMAKER! Happy birthday!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6joYd5L8laM

[deepblue]

<3 Best thread ever. (Also, yay it's so rare I see other vegan mers. Well, it's just rare to see other vegans, ha. lol) Happy birthday to Hannah!

[Mermaid Isabel(:]

Wow this is amazing :) I can't believe she's 40 she looks so much younger!

[Lorelei]

She's 40?! Wow, I wouldn't even of guessed! Happy Birthday Hannah <3 :) Such a big inspiration!

[Echidna]

Agree with everything.

Hannah is such a great inspiration, and the most amazing mermaid I know.
She's not only incredibly talented, but has proven over and over she truly loves the ocean, and shown more courage than most people could.

I hope she lives at least 300 years like a mythical mermaid! :)
Happy Birthday!

[Mermaid Adriel]

the first professional mermaid I've known! I agree, she'll always be the best :) I was 18 when I've seen her videos for the first time, and she convinced me on believing in a childhood dream :')
Happy birthday Hannah! <3

[Winged Mermaid]

She's such a wonderful woman! And something that I will ALWAYS remember about seeing Hannah in person, was the aura of energy she had around her. As soon as I stepped up to her I could feel this energetic, happy, absolute serene and zen energy just radiating off of her like crazy. I'm not usually one for that kind of stuff, but the feeling was just overwhelming- like she was just the living embodiment of everything that she talks and is passionate about. She's genuine, the real deal- and if I ever doubted that for a second it was wiped away when I felt that. I don't know how else to explain it!

Also Raina's right about her not thinking of herself as above others. All of us were totally geeking out over her at the WMAs, but she just treated us like she was just another mermaid there to have a good time and swim. She even puts other people in her tails all the time, pretty much every one of them are near complete strangers!

To me she will always be THE professional mermaid- the one who started it all. I'd say world's best covers her right now, but that's my opinion ;) She inspires me so much, and I know thousands of people feel the same!

Happy Birthday Hannah <3

[*Celine*]

I discovered her when I was sixteen and I mailed her and she helped me get started with my first tail. She is the most beautiful, real Mermaid there ever will be. I love her!!! She is Idol!!!

Happy Birthday to our Mermaid Queen Mother

[Ariel-Starfish]

Aaargh love this tread! ❤️

[mermaid_ashes]

What a fantastic lady, and inspirational indeed. Thanks raina for sharing. p.s. hope i look that good at 40. :-)

[MermanZen]

Happy Birthday Hannah you inspire me and countless others

keep on swimming

[Mermaid Cascada]

Happy birthday Hannah! I cannot belive she's 40!

[thevirginiamermaid]

Happy Birthday Hannah! I'm so honored to share a name with you!!!

[OceanRose]

Love her, and you Raina for posting it :-)
Happy Birthday Hannah!

[Mermaid Marissa]

Her birthday is the day after mine!!! <3

[XMermaidMarinaX]

Living proof you can do anything!

[Winged Mermaid]

Bumping this thread to say that I just freaking love Hannah XP

https://24.media.tumblr.com/f3fd33ff246590d6a75e7e4ffb89c2a5/tumblr_n0otozQKrX1rcrguuo1_250.gif
(Gif by Mermaids-and-anchors (http://www.mermaids-and-anchors.tumblr.com))

[Morticia Mermaid]

I showed my hubby a picture of Hannah. He thought she was late 20's. I told him how old she was and he says he isn't ever letting me lose my passion for mermaiding, lol. Hannah is awesome.