Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: Open Water Mermaid Race?

  1. #1

    Talking Open Water Mermaid Race?

    Hey, everyone! As I was swimming yesterday morning, my mind started drifting off into thinking of cool ideas and whatnot. I got to thinking about how much I love open water (competitive) swimming and then I wondered if there were any mermaid races. I dug around the internet searching for any type of mermaid race and found none so now I'm here on MerNetwork asking if anyone would be interested in starting an annual open water merfolk race?

    Basically, what I was thinking is that it'd be a one-day thing with short open water race (maybe a 1k or 2k) in the ocean. I know Jacksonville, FL is a popular area for open water racing. The current isn't strong and the water quality is pretty good. Of course, different types of tails will have different advantages and disadvantages so we'd need to divide them into categories for fair competition.

    There'd be different competitor categories like:

    Age: 14 and under, 15-16, 17-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30+.
    Gender: Male, Female.
    Tail Type: No Tail, Monofin Only, Fabric Tail, Silicone Tail, Sequin Tail, Other.

    We could see about getting metals for all participants but I know most races only do top 3 since there are so many categories in open water swimming. I also think it'd be cool if we could do seashell crowns for the top overall finishers for men and women.

    After the race, I was thinking we could do a little gathering and have a picnic on the beach. We could see about selling event tee shirts and food at the race too.

    Would anyone be interested in doing this? I think it could turn into a fun race that could flourish into a long-lasting event if it picks up enough traction. It kinda makes me think this would be the swimming equivalent of runners who dress up in funky costumes for marathons.
    Mermaid Sagittaria
    Savannah, GA | Richmond, VA
    Competitive Swimmer since 2005 | Aspiring Animator
    9 Time National Champion Swimmer | 11 Time All-American Swimmer
    Art Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abigail_richey/
    Mermaid Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tybee_mermaid/
    Website: http://www.thetybeemermaid.com/

  2. #2
    Senior Member North Pacific Pod Mermaid Kane's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    Oregon, PDX Area
    Posts
    653
    Sounds good, other then the fact that probably only a few people would come. I for one can't travel to a distant state.



  3. #3
    Oh, I definitely second the need to separate based on tail material!

    And the sprinter in me is dying to see fast paced short distance as well--I'm a leisure swimmer when it comes to long distance

    .:YouTube:.
    http://www.youtube.com/user/MermaidAiera
    .:Facebook:.
    https://www.facebook.com/MermaidAiera/

    ^^^ Like me on Facebook for fan updates and booking!!! ^^^
    ^^^ Follow me on Instagram @The_Long_Island_Mermaid ((MermaidAiera)) ^^^

  4. #4
    Quote Originally Posted by MermaidAiera View Post
    Oh, I definitely second the need to separate based on tail material!

    And the sprinter in me is dying to see fast paced short distance as well--I'm a leisure swimmer when it comes to long distance
    Haha yeah I was just thinking of all the open water races I've done. I'm rarely lucky enough to be allowed to sprint!
    Mermaid Sagittaria
    Savannah, GA | Richmond, VA
    Competitive Swimmer since 2005 | Aspiring Animator
    9 Time National Champion Swimmer | 11 Time All-American Swimmer
    Art Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abigail_richey/
    Mermaid Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tybee_mermaid/
    Website: http://www.thetybeemermaid.com/

  5. #5

  6. #6
    I would totally come, but I'm not very fast lol. I'd probably come with my fin and spectate.

  7. #7
    I want distance underwater!!

    And I'm in

  8. #8

  9. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by Derek Broussard View Post
    This! but with a tail
    That was so cool! We could try that too!
    Mermaid Sagittaria
    Savannah, GA | Richmond, VA
    Competitive Swimmer since 2005 | Aspiring Animator
    9 Time National Champion Swimmer | 11 Time All-American Swimmer
    Art Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abigail_richey/
    Mermaid Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tybee_mermaid/
    Website: http://www.thetybeemermaid.com/

  10. #10
    Senior Member Undisclosed Pod
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Posts
    14,650
    you have to remember while freedivers are participating in these races, they have mandatory safety buddies swimming above them the entire time. It's required. I actually just took the courses on it and it's fairly hard to do.

    While I think this sounds fun I am also concerned about the insurance end (you would absolutely need insurance to host an event like this, even in a public place.) and liability end.

    If I could make a suggestion, reach out to AIDA international. They should be able to tell you exactly what you'd need, who to go for/how to get it, and help facilitate getting proper insurance and waivers. They host these events all the time, and are big on educational outreach.

  11. #11
    Senior Member Pod of The South Slim's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    1,586
    I'm not to sound clueless but even as a free gathering to those wanting to come though it's not official, should she still look into the insurance though it's at their own risk?

    Quote Originally Posted by AniaR View Post
    you have to remember while freedivers are participating in these races, they have mandatory safety buddies swimming above them the entire time. It's required. I actually just took the courses on it and it's fairly hard to do.

    While I think this sounds fun I am also concerned about the insurance end (you would absolutely need insurance to host an event like this, even in a public place.) and liability end.

    If I could make a suggestion, reach out to AIDA international. They should be able to tell you exactly what you'd need, who to go for/how to get it, and help facilitate getting proper insurance and waivers. They host these events all the time, and are big on educational outreach.
    When you make the impossible become possible, that when the magic happens!

    Survivor of cyberbullies

  12. #12
    Actually if you are going to host an event. I would not go through Aida. They are pretty strict within freediving disciplines. A better organization would be CMAS , they organize everything from freediving to underwater hockey and tons of other sub aquatic sports.


    ** Edited post with correct organization name .
    Last edited by Derek Broussard; 10-22-2017 at 12:43 AM.

  13. #13
    Senior Member Undisclosed Pod
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Posts
    14,650
    Great suggestion! I meant moreso for finding out requirements for safety and insurance/liability

  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by AniaR View Post
    Great suggestion! I meant moreso for finding out requirements for safety and insurance/liability
    Had to edit with the correct orginazation name.

    I didn't mean to step on your toes with AIDA. I know you're stoked on freediving right now . Aida is a really great org. within freediving. Their safety standards and reputation are top notch. But I think they would be hesitant to host a mermaid event. CMAS has more history with other sub aquatic sports, but I hear they can be difficult to work with as well.

    Thinking about the liability and insurance issue of hosting an event; I thought about scuba shops. A lot of the dive clubs in my area I grew up did underwater pumpkin carving, easter egg hunts and other cool activities a few times a year. I'm sure that they would be able to organize a race. Also . Divers Alert Network has really great personal and business insurance for divers, freedivers and instructors

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •