Ia orana!

**Lila** · 11-06-2015, 02:59 PM

...which is "hello" in polynesian!

I realise I never actually did a proper introduction, soooo
Hello! I'm Lila, I came on here about a year or so ago looking for recommendations on a monofin (which I got, thank you, lovelies!). I was sooo lucky enough to spend 6 months in French Polynesia and it was the perfect occasion to learn monofinning. Now that I'm back "home" in Europe, I signed up to proper apnea and monofinning classes. It helps me escape back to the lagoon I fell in love with

Anyway, I don't have a tail (yet), I'm nowhere near getting a silicone one but I like the idea of a fabric one, maybe I'll make one myself if I don't find a maker (I have something kinda complex in mind..). I'm kinda not great at sewing though, but I have a lot of ideas lol.
Anyway! I'm babbling

I'm usually rather quiet and so might not write a lot, but I enjoy reading y'all!

**Mermaid Alea** · 11-06-2015, 03:08 PM

Welcome! That is great that you have been enjoying your monofin and that is really cool that you are taking apnea and monofin classes! Do you have any friends that sew?

I am not really experienced with sewing, but my Mom has a sewing machine and she got it out and tried to recall how to use it and then showed me. It really wasn't too hard and if you make a mistake sewing where you shouldn't you can get a seam ripper and rip out the seams and start again. I had a lot of fun making my own fabric tail. The tutorial that helped me the most is this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtwnOQg_KH8

If anything you could buy a fabric tail and then alter it to have extra fins or whatever it is that you have in mind. Also there are some really beautiful spandex fabrics that you can buy online for your tail.

**Lila** · 11-06-2015, 03:11 PM

Thank you so much for your tips, Alea!

**DiveBarMermaidRachel** · 11-07-2015, 09:36 PM

Ia orana, Lila! Welcome

I do have to be *that mermaid* and make a little, gentle correction. Ia orana is a Tahitian greeting (as I understand it), since 'Polynesian' is not a language. Polynesia is a collection of islands ranging all over the Pacific - from Hawai'i to New Zealand to Easter Island and all in between. Saying that a word 'Polynesian' is comparable to saying a word is 'Asian'. There are many different language and cultures in Polynesia. Just a little thing.

I am so envious of your time in French Polynesia! Where did you go? Tahiti? The Marquesas? It sounds heavenly...

**malinghi** · 11-08-2015, 02:12 AM

Welcome!

**Lila** · 11-08-2015, 05:11 AM

Thank you both! :-)

Rachel you are entirely correct :-) In French Polynesia where I was the locals tend to use the two terms as equivalent.
I was in Moorea, Tahiti's little sister <3 I love it so much there, I can't wait to go back, as soon as I have the chance!