chicago ??

[serina waves]

do we have anyone close to the Chicago area ????

[Cordelia]

There are a few mers living in the Chicagoland area! :D I believe there are two of us who live out in the Northwest suburb area, though our towns aren't that close.

[serina waves]

ok!!!!! thanks so much im also looking for places to swim indoors if you know anyplace that lets us swim in our tails :)

[Cordelia]

Sadly, no. I don't do much swimming in the winter, but some of the other Chicago mers might know of a place.

Right now, I'm sewing a new tail and waiting for the lake water to warm! :D

[Jadestone]

During parts of the summer/next year I'll also be in the northwest suburbs, although I live on a small lake/pond so haven't tried to find anywhere indoors.

[Cordelia]

We should do a Chicago meet-up this year. There is a really nice beach next to Navy Pier and we could take a morning/evening ride on the Windy. :D

[serina waves]

that sounds amazing I don't have my tail yet and I will need to practice in a safe indoor location before I venture out into the open water :) but please I would loveeeee to do that

[Cordelia]

That is great. July would probably be the best time, since the water is going to stay pretty cold for quite a while. :D

[Cordelia]

Just a quick update: I haven't been to the lake yet this year. My only swim was in my parents' backyard pool (well heated). Just wondering if anyone else has taken a dip in the lake? I imagine that it is still pretty cold!

[Kishiko]

CHICAGO/ILINOIS MERS: If anyone wants to have an impromptu meet up/swim tomorrow I'll be heading to Peru tonight and my dad will be golfing most of the day tomorrow with a buddy, so let me know if you want to (:

[merstorm]

hello all new here had to say hi and I am from arlington hights area. I hope to hear from anyone designed my own mermaid suit hope to find a place to give it a try. :D

[PearlieMae]

Hi Merstorm!

Welcome to the network. You should introduce yourself here: http://mernetwork.com/index/forumdisplay.php?7-Introduce-Yourself

[merstorm]

I did mis that now I have hehehe thank you

[merstorm]

Hey there is a event here in schaumburg il anyone going this weekend?

[Maethor]

Hey everyone! My best friend and I are from Northwest Indiana, about 45 minutes from Chicago. I would love to do a meetup sometime this summer!

[Kishiko]

Sound off Chicago mers!!! Who's up for a possible meetup on Sunday, maybe ​Monday???

[merstorm]

I am up for it let me know

[Mermaid Kelly]

Wow I didn't know there were a few more mere in the Chicago area! This is wonderful! If anyone lives in/near the city I recommend the few indoor pools for swimming - they have been great so far (minus the chlorine, nothing beats fresh water) !

[Maethor]

Wow I didn't know there were a few more mere in the Chicago area! This is wonderful! If anyone lives in/near the city I recommend the few indoor pools for swimming - they have been great so far (minus the chlorine, nothing beats fresh water) !
You should join us for a meetup in the summertime!

[Mermaid Kelly]

I would love to! I can't wait until it gets warm!

[merstorm]

Love to know a pool to go to I am in arlington heights love to meet another mermaid to

[Mermaid Kelly]

There are a ton of free pools in Chicago that are owned by the park district , most have open swim for a few hours a few times a week! Maybe we should have an indoor meet up someday soon.

[merstorm]

Anyone around the area this weekend

[Cordelia]

Wow! I didn't know that Mermaid Kelly. Do you have to be a resident to use them?

I have not been swimming much at all this year. I think once, maybe? lol. Has anyone been to the beach yet? I've still not finished my tail. :/

[Mermaid Kelly]

You do have to live in Chicago but I have never seen anyone actually check that validation! Hamlin park and California park (outdoors) are free and Independence Park (indoors) is good too.:)




Wow! I didn't know that Mermaid Kelly. Do you have to be a resident to use them?

I have not been swimming much at all this year. I think once, maybe? lol. Has anyone been to the beach yet? I've still not finished my tail. :/

[Mermaid Kelly]

I have not been to the beach yet either. I would love to plan a mini beach meet up!

[Cordelia]

We should! I need to get to work on my tail. I hit a rough patch in writing today (working through a 3rd draft of a novel during July for Camp NanoWrimo) and I just have not been able to do much of anything today. Got some laundry done, but that's about it. Maybe I'll haul out my sewing machine and finish up the bottom of the skin quick. :D As it is looking now, I have most Friday - Sundays off of work, but I'm not sure if the beach has been super crowded of late.

[merstorm]

I need help with my tail does not have a monofin in it and I think it needs it but I would love to go out to the water :D

[Maethor]

I need help with my tail does not have a monofin in it and I think it needs it but I would love to go out to the water :D
If you're going in the water, you definitely need a monofin!

I would love a Chicago meetup!

[merstorm]

My mermaid suit is in my Picts can someone help

[Mermaid Kelly]

Beaches are about normal- let's plan a Chicago meetup!

[Cordelia]

Would the last weekend in July work for anyone? 24, 25, or 26?

Got the bottom hem done. I will be able to sew it to my fluke tomorrow. :D

[merstorm]

I am up for that

[Maethor]

Good for me too!

[Mermaid Kelly]

How about the 26th?

[Cordelia]

Sunday, July 26th it is! If the weather is nice, should we hang out at the beach? And if so, which one? I've only ever been to the one next to Navy Pier. Please let me know if there is another one that you would like to go to. :D

[merstorm]

How about montros beach?

[Cordelia]

That would be good. Do you know if there is parking there? I will (hopefully) be driving in with my sister. I hate taking taxis from the train station. :(

[Mermaid Kelly]

Montrose beach is where I go usually. How about around 11am?

[Mermaid Kelly]

Yes there is a ton of parking!!!

[merstorm]

haven't been there in a long time glad Kelly knows :D

[Cordelia]

Yay! Alright, I will definitely put this on my calendar and talk to my sister about it today. We should be hanging out at some point. 11 A.M. is a perfect time, too. Now, keep your fins crossed that the weather is gorgeous that weekend!! :D

[Maethor]

Molly and I will be there!

[Cordelia]

*cheers* :D

[Mermaid Kelly]

So 11am on Sunday the 26th at Montrose Beach! We should probably find a spot there to meet. Also just out of curiosity - what kind of tails do you all have? Mine is just a fabric tail with a Mahina.

I'm excited!!!

[Maethor]

I have a silicone tail from Sirenalia and Molly has a silicone from Mernation!

[Cordelia]

I will have a fabric tail as well. I just have to make it.... o.O The one I have been working on is taking so long and there is still a ton of work to do on it. So, I will stop at Joanne Fabrics either before or after my writing meet-up today and buy some more fabric. I have enough white to do a front panel and I think one side of a fluke, so I was thinking of getting some black to do the back. I have wanted both a koi and an orca tail, so why not do one of them now? :D

Also, my sister and I went to the Lake Bluff beach yesterday. The water was super chilly! I didn't want to go in all the way, but it was only 76 out and I didn't have a tail w/ me. And, of course, I wake up today to find that it is sunny and roasting out, but I have a meeting and my sister is headed back up to Wis. :/ It would just figure!!

[Mermaid Kelly]

Yes it is warm today! I am headed to the California outdoor pool:)

[Cordelia]

I'm glad it's so warm, but can all these random storms just stop already? :D One week left to go!! I am getting closer to finishing my tail, too. I just added the zippers to the sides and I'll have the underbelly to attach today. So excite! :D

[Maethor]

Unfortunately, something came up and Molly and I won't be able to go to the meetup on Sunday. I'm so bummed! I was really looking forward to meeting you all!

[Mermaid Kelly]

Can't wait for Sunday! Where is a good meeting place? Maybe towards the north end at Wilson?

[Cordelia]

Oh! Sorry to hear that Maethor!

Kelly - the northern end is fine! I'll have a black and white fabric tail. I talked to my sister and she is going to try and make it and maybe bring her boyfriend? Not really sure if that is happening. But I will be there! :D

I also made a post in the Midwest pod, too. Hopefully some more mers can join us. :D
http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?11458-Chicago-Meet-up&p=205531#post205531

[Mermaid Kelly]

Ok - I will have a green fabric tail :) See you then!!!

[Cordelia]

It looks like the thunderstorms have been pushed back to tomorrow. My sister and I are still going to go. I've got a book and she'll be combing the beach for beach glass. We won't make it by 11 o'clock, but we should be there before noon.

[Sabrina the Selkie]

I will try to be by the beach by 1:00ish. (Definitely want to swim today)

[Cordelia]

Nice! We're still on the road, but I see tall buildings. :-)

[Cordelia]

We're here. We're by the north lifeguard in the orange shirt near the dog beach. Weve got a plaid blanket.

[merstorm]

Hey sorry didn't get to go today was still working on a project till a few mins ago waaa lol

[Cordelia]

We stayed until 4. I didn't see anyone else, but we had a good swim. :D

[merstorm]

very cool nice day to to go for a swim glad you guys had fun

[Sabrina the Selkie]

Almost got there, and something came up. *sigh*
Glad you had a nice swim, though!

[Ciriun]

So is this the place to ask if anyone knows mer-friendly pools in the Chicago area? In particular north of the city? I am in that region visiting family and the only pools I could find specifically state no fins or flippers of any kind. Failing that, mer-friendly beaches would be good to know about as well.

[Sabrina the Selkie]

All of the beaches are Mer-friendly. My advice: don't even ask. Just get in your tail and butt scoot in. They'll be nervous abouy liability when you ask, but if they see you in the water they will be both charmed and reassured by your prowess in the water.

As for pools, I usually swim at my local Y in the western burbs, but you could probably talk to pool management personally. They tend to treat tails a little differently than they do fins.

[Ciriun]

Ah, okay. No tail yet, but since I won't be back until probably next summer or maybe for Christmas, I can try again then.

I did talk to the manager at the pool my cousins go to and was shocked by her answer. She said they had allowed tails two years ago and had gotten practically overrun with them! So due to "risk assessment" reasons they banned them (along with fins, noodles, snorkels, water wings, and showering nude.) Then she suggested if I wanted to use my fin, I could try a hotel pool because there wouldn't be lifeguards. I really do not understand the logic behind that. Gonna post my story in the thread about tail banning as well.

[Lady Naga]

If there are any mermaids in the Schaumburg area, I know that the Water Works in Schaumburg allows fins at least. I have been there several time and I've gotten a lot of looks but no one has told me they weren't allowed. As for a full tail, I'm not sure since I haven't tried it out yet. I will respond with my findings if I am able to try out my tail soon.

[merstorm]

I am in Arlington heights are so not far at all



If there are any mermaids in the Schaumburg area, I know that the Water Works in Schaumburg allows fins at least. I have been there several time and I've gotten a lot of looks but no one has told me they weren't allowed. As for a full tail, I'm not sure since I haven't tried it out yet. I will respond with my findings if I am able to try out my tail soon.

[Lady Naga]

It would be great to have someone to swim with! Do you have a place indoors that you go to?

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[merstorm]

I havnt even had chance to wear my tail yet :( been trying to find someone I can show it to to see if it is swimmable

[Lady Naga]

I'm just going to try mine in a pool once it's finished.

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[merstorm]

wow very cool I been shy and havnt gone to a pool yet.

merstorm

[Lady Naga]

I find it's easier to go with someone or when there are very few people during the day.

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[merstorm]

I am up for it been so nice out don't want winter

[Lady Naga]

I know! I don't want it to be winter either. But it would be great to meet up with you sometime!

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[Sabrina the Selkie]

We should try to make a deal with one of the hotels downtown, like letting us swim there in exchange for the fact that they can say the have mermaids in the pool or something.

[Sabrina the Selkie]

It would give us a good spot for a winter meet up.

[Lady Naga]

That would be amazing! I'm there!

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[merstorm]

I love to hang out :D

[Mermaid Kayla]

Hi everyone I live in Northwest, IN. Precisely Hobart. Just wondering how to get the waves crashing for a tail. Any advice would be great!

[merstorm]

It's cold out brrr where are the mermaids still haven't gone for a swim yet

[steeld00d]

All of the beaches are Mer-friendly. My advice: don't even ask. Just get in your tail and butt scoot in. They'll be nervous abouy liability when you ask, but if they see you in the water they will be both charmed and reassured by your prowess in the water.

As for pools, I usually swim at my local Y in the western burbs, but you could probably talk to pool management personally. They tend to treat tails a little differently than they do fins.

Which Y allows that? I tried asking the aquatic directors of the ones in Des Plaines and Palatine in my neck of the woods and got resounding NO from both of them :(

[Sabrina the Selkie]

Never ask the aquatic directors! Take your tail to the pool and ask the life guards. Don't even ask. Just let them know you'll be swimming in it.

I use the Cook County Y in Oak Park

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[Mermaid Kelly]

Beaches are the best bet. I have swam in a number of Chicago public pools and they have all been ok. I also have swam in hotels too. Chicago proper dweller here.

[Fairy Wren]

Hey everyone! I'm in the Wheaton area; has anyone heard of it!? Wheaton College allows mono fins and seemed receptive to tail swimming when I mentioned wanting to work up to it. I'm hoping to make some local mer-friends! Friend me and feel free to message me!

[merstorm]

hey nice to see ya here hit me up anytime nice to know other mermaids around here :D

[WhimzSea]

Hi all! I'm located in chicago's suburbs, CrystalLake.
I've been swimming at my local YMCA the last few weeks, and they seem alright with it (the women lifeguards will come say hello and be curious, its been really fun haha). Making plans to head up to MI for the Megafest in May; hope to meet a lot of you. :>

[Mermaid Isabelle]

It's finally warm outside! I'd love to meet up with Chicago-area mermaids sometime soon!

[Mermaid.Mikayla]

Oh! Sorry to hear that Maethor!

Kelly - the northern end is fine! I'll have a black and white fabric tail. I talked to my sister and she is going to try and make it and maybe bring her boyfriend? Not really sure if that is happening. But I will be there! :D

I also made a post in the Midwest pod, too. Hopefully some more mers can join us. :D
http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?11458-Chicago-Meet-up&p=205531#post205531I'm in Missouri, but I'd love to take a trip up to Chicago for a meet up! :) Sounds fun!

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[WhimzSea]

If anyone would be interested in joining an IL mer-pod, Ive made a group to meet folks on FB!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ILMerPod/

[BluNoseReindeer]

Woo, I just joined. Looking for local meetups around chicago. I'm in the Southwest suburbs!

[Sabrina the Selkie]

Yoooo more Chicagoans! We don't do too many meetups, but I would love to set some up!

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[BluNoseReindeer]

Yoooo more Chicagoans! We don't do too many meetups, but I would love to set some up!

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Please don’t be afraid to let me know! I have one other friend who got me into this mer mess and it’s so interesting!

[Sabrina the Selkie]

Yeeeet

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[BluNoseReindeer]

A few mers in the area are looking at organizing something at Three Oaks recreational center on august 5th. For anyone not part of that facebook group.

[merstorm]

I'd lo e to but my tail is latex and needs fixing anyone know someone who works with latex?

[BluNoseReindeer]

I don't, but it'd be fun to still have you visit.

[merstorm]

Where is three oaks

[BluNoseReindeer]

It's in algonquin in the northwest suburbs. There's also going to be a swim at the Wheaton College pool next weekend planned as well.

[merstorm]

Ah ok I'm In palatine

[Sabrina the Selkie]

I would be so down for this!

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[BluNoseReindeer]

I would be so down for this!

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Hit me up in PM I can share the fb event with you

[Sabrina the Selkie]

Awesome! Will do@

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[Mermaid Aramae]

I live north of Chicago, but come to the city often.

I am a circus artist and burlesque artist. I'd love to swim some weekend (or sometimes weekday) when i'm down!!! I've never swam at Montrose Beach, but I love it there. Unless you have somewhere else.


I'm not sure the public pools rules on wearing full fins.

[Mermaid Aramae]

I'd lo e to but my tail is latex and needs fixing anyone know someone who works with latex?

What do you need reparied? I have a latex Tail, It has some scuffs and thus I need to do a paint repair. If it all works kosher and well, I would be willing to either share how I did it, or do it.

[BluNoseReindeer]

I live north of Chicago, but come to the city often.

I am a circus artist and burlesque artist. I'd love to swim some weekend (or sometimes weekday) when i'm down!!! I've never swam at Montrose Beach, but I love it there. Unless you have somewhere else.


I'm not sure the public pools rules on wearing full fins.

We're planning on a couple meetups this summer. One this saturday and another on sunday the 5th. It'd be fun to have you come. We have an Illinois mer pod group on facebook where we're planning it!

[merstorm]

I am not on Facebook when is the event?

[BluNoseReindeer]

We have one planned this sunday on the 5th at 3 oaks recreational park.

[DestinyJoyHope]

hi! i'm also going to be a chicago based mermaid in the fall! (yay college)

[Lady Savvah]

Hey guys! Local to the NWI area here... just looking to get connected and find indoor pools for the off season!

[BluNoseReindeer]

hi! i'm also going to be a chicago based mermaid in the fall! (yay college)

Where will you be going to school? There's a few of us who meet at a pool in the western suburbs pretty regularly. There's also the aqua mermaid folks who meet in the city on sundays at UIC.

[DestinyJoyHope]

Where will you be going to school? There's a few of us who meet at a pool in the western suburbs pretty regularly. There's also the aqua mermaid folks who meet in the city on sundays at UIC.

I’m going to Loyola university Chicago!


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[BluNoseReindeer]

I’m going to Loyola university Chicago!


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Awesome! I wish you the best of luck with your studies there. I recommend looking for the Illinois Mer Pod on facebook and trying to join. Most of the mers are much more active there.

[Slothie]

Any meet ups from Oct 10-12. I will be in chicago for ace comic con and would love to meet some more mers!!

[Toastyghosty39]

Hey there! I live in orland park(about an hour-ish away from chicago) and would love to meet up some time! I've also been having trouble finding a place that allows tails so please let me know if you find anything!

Google maps search of 'place to swim' And 'pool' kept giving me contractors companies to build pools lol.

Oh I'm starting college over at north central in Naperville though, which is only like 30 minutes from chicago