New Mermaid Needs Some Tips on Just About Everything

[Mermaid Joie]

Hi I am new to the mernetwork and mermaiding and I really want to get some feed back from other Mers.

When I found out that mermaiding was possible I immediately started researching it. I have read mermaid Raina's Book Fishy Business and based on what I have hear about it from that I would love to do kid parties once I get my feet/tail wet. I should probably mention that, I am 20 years old and looking for a another job so that I can get my butt (...tail?;)) out of my parent's house and pay for college. I don't work well in traditional college kid jobs.
Currently I do not have a tail, but I am ordering my mono-fin this week. I am thinking about making a fabric tail to start with and working up to a silicone one. Do you have any tail making tips based on your own experiences? Also, I can dolphin kick pretty well, but I want to work on my strength an speed. Are there any dry exercises that I can do to build up strength in my core? Or will that come with time using the monofin?

I have lots of questions but I guess I could summarize all that into two questions, "What was your biggest mistake when your first started mermaiding?What helped propel you forward in your career or hobby?"

[deepblue]

I can't answer your specific question, but I do recommend you read the "New here? Here's important info (http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?3124-New-Here-s-important-information-to-get-you-started-on-the-site-and-in-mermaiding!)" thread that Iona put in the Intro section. It will answer a lot of questions that come up early on.

[Winged Mermaid]

All the info in the thread that SurlySeaNymph mentioned was PMed to you when you joined as well ;) TONS of info!

[Mermaid Daenerys]

I'm also fairly new, but I recommend what reading the 'new here' info, as SurlySeaNymph and Iona suggested. As for exercises to build up muscle for strength and speed, I'd suggest ski sits, sit ups, anything that targets your legs and stomach muscles - remember, the dolphin kick is a full-body motion, so you need to work on your whole body, not just your legs. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts are quite good, as they burn fat and build muscle all over - my favourite is the 30-Day Shred by Jillian Michaels (though I completed it much more slowly!) and it's great if you haven't done anything else like it before. But using your monofin and getting the movement right is a great workout in itself, as the movement requires you to constantly tighten and release your stomach muscles and roll your legs if you want to get any speed up. Don't do what I did, and try and kick from your knees or hips (especially your knees) - you won't get anywhere, and you can end up hurting yourself quite badly. Try hanging onto the side of the pool and practicing the motion a few times before you push off - that really helped both me and my friend MerSkye.
Happy swimming, and I hope this helped!

[MermaidCora]

I hear yah Mermaid Joie! I am 20 as well and can not wait to get out of the house! But I would rather have a finfolk mermaid tail!! College is definitely NOT! I totally feel like a fish out of water! ;)
I've been mermaiding for about 3 years and started off with fabric tails. Unfortunately, Minnesota is usually covered in snow and ice, so I don't get to use it as much as I wished. There are a lot of websites on line that sell mermaid tails that show you what specifically you should measure for the perfect fit... I think Mertailor used to have s list somewhere on there sight.
As for exercises, you could try planking, crunches, etc... but the more you swim the better you'll get!!
My biggest mistake... meet and greet with kids my fist time out! I was in the water for over 3 hours with the kids!! Fun, but I couldn't get away!!!
What is propelling me in this hobby (hopefully future career) is the joy on children's faces when they see and talk to a mermaid! Keep these kids imaginations flying!!!! That and watching all the mermaid shows and movies possible and joining the mernetwork! Get's me motivated!!!

Good luck on YOUR mer-journey!!!!;)

[AniaR]

www.makemeamermaid.com :) all my resources

[Mermaid Joie]

Thanks for all the info and laughs everyone you definitely made my day.