Originally Posted by
theMerFanc
HELLO AND WELCOME! I definitely didn't do any spells to become a mermaid when I was a kid but if I'd known they were around I probably would have :P I also love being outside, I used to do some archery and have a longbow but I don't have much time to go out and shoot it. I am int he SCA and I did some archery with them but, again, I couldn't make it to regular practices. I am really interested in mounted archery though!
We are excited to have you in the mercomm! <3 All are welcome, especially the enthusiastic ones :P As far as a Wish tail goes, yes the monofins are cheap. I can send you pictures of mine if you are interested. They do propel you better then just your feet would but honestly, not much better. However, I was able to squeeze my Linden fin into my Wish tail and it was great! The real reason we try to steer new folx away from Wish tails is because they are almost entirely cheap knockoffs and stolen designs of hardworking merfolk who put their heart and souls into the tails they make. I do have one and I am ashamed to say it, but I purchased it before I really knew.
Anyone is a mermaid who wants to be a mermaid! I don't know if there's a real line but if there is then ignore it! It's what is in your heart that counts. One thing I use sometimes to differentiate is mermaiding vs Tailswimming. 1) Tailswimming is a sport/activity and is a more gender neutral term. And it would include everyone who has a tail. Where as mermaiding or being a mermaid is about what you love!
Some tails include the monofin, others don't. I would research what tails you are interested and if they don't have a fin, obviously you need to purchase it separately. I always always ALWAYS recommend swimming in just the fin first. Get a feel for it, really understand how fast it makes you and how different it is from just flopping around without a monofin or with bifins. ALSO make sure you know how to quick release your monofin for safety because if you wait until you NEED to do it to LEARN how to do it you will be in serious trouble. If you are looking for something to do on dry, practicing (safely and with a buddy) your breath hold is always a good idea and doing a lot of abb and core strength excersizes will help you go a long way.
The depth of the pool or weather it's inset or above ground should have nothing to do with how buoyant you are. When i was SCUBA certified, I was much more floaty then my dad. We were diving in the same waters with the same equipment. It just is what it is. And plastic monofins and neoprene make you much more floaty. Most merfolk don't seem to talk about buoyancy from what I can see which I find odd. I spend so much energy trying to stay down that I barely spend any time underwater before I need more air. I am going to look into getting SCUBA weights because I want to start diving again but also because I have a very floaty tail heading my way soon. My suggestion would be to find a SCUBA shop that is super cool once you get your tail and take it to them. They should be willing to let you hop in their pool (for a fee) and check weights until you come out neutral. Then you will know what to get! And I am planning to decorate my weights with sea trash and a silicone octopus and sea star as part of my mersona design.
The hole is there on purpose and it velcros over but does not zip. It allows the water and air to escape so that you don't end up with a tail full of air or that has a lot of drag. I agree with you, I don't like the look, but it is a helpful option.
I don't own any of the mertailor tails but remember, none of those skins come with a fin! So with the fin as well, you are looking at about $500 shipped for the whole package which is honestly pretty pricy (at least for me) for a first tail. But this is 100% up to you and what you are comfortable with. If you found one you really love and you are good with the price then do it! Just remember my advice above to swim in the monofin by itself before you shimmy into the tailskin. For that reason, if the price is a concern all at once, you could get the fin first, give it time and practice, then buy the skin when you are ready/able.
There are other tailmakers as well. However what I notices is you'll either find the crappy Wish and Amazon knockoffs for $35, or they are $300 high end fabrics. You will love your first tail because it is your first tail, but if you really enjoy this as a hobby/sport/side job, full job then you will eventually end up with more then one tail. So the first tail you get really isn't that big of a deal. Hard to believe, I know, but I honestly recommend getting a cheap tail with a more expensive monofin because the fin is what will really be doing all the work.
This post wasnt' a nightmare at all! These are great questions and I hope that I helped even a little. If you'd like help finding other tailmakers, I love internet research, you can always PM me. I ended up buying my third tail (first I made myself, second came from wish) from someone on Etsy and I am waiting anxiously for it). It is a custom design but there are other makers who do standard designs at custom measurements which is really a great way to go. Good luck! And again, welcome to the Merfam <3
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