Mermaiding students swim in their tails during a Mayim Mermaid Academy lesson at the swimming pool at Bournemouth Collegiate School. Photo / Getty
Mermaiding students swim in their tails during a Mayim Mermaid Academy lesson at the swimming pool at Bournemouth Collegiate School. Photo / Getty
By Nicola Harley
Lifesaving organisations have issued warnings over a new mermaid craze sweeping the UK over drowning fears following a number of incidents in unmonitored areas.
The trend of wearing a mermaid tail to swim in backgarden pools has led to drowning prevention charity the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) to warn parents to only use them in organised classes run by qualified professionals.
Earlier this month the teenage son of Princess Diana's lady-in-waiting Harry Byatt died in an exclusive beach resort in Zakynthos while using a mermaid-style monofin and snorkel.
The RLSS UK has teamed up with Fin2Fit, which offers mermaid and shark tail swimming exercise classes for children, to ensure their safe use, the Daily Telegraph reports.
Mike Dunn, RLSS UK Deputy Director of Research and Education, said: "These activities must be done in a safe and approved environment. We are conscious that there have been a number of incidents caused through improper use of mono-fins and mermaid tails.
"Videos of these incidents, which often occur in back garden and home pools, circulate on social media.
"Consequently, RLSS UK strongly recommends to all parents, that the safest way for children to enjoy and benefit from this new activity is through participation in professionally organised classes, which are delivered by qualified instructors, who are affiliated to a reputable mermaid or mono-fin swimming organisation."
The craze has been sparked by the popularity of children's television show Mako Mermaids along with Disney favourite The Little Mermaid and cult movie Splash.
Last month dozens of women competed in the Miss Mermaid UK contest, which is now in its third year.
For the last two years Michelle Forsbrey has run the Mayim Mermaid Academy in Bournemouth and has trained more than 300 mermaids and mermen of all ages.
Photo / Getty
The air hostess went to a specialist centre in Germany to gain qualifications to become a mermaid instructor.
"It is extremely safe and is an amazing, relaxing experience," she said.
"It is becoming one of the newest water sports, I get children's parties and little girls excited to be mermaids but also a lot of women who come say they always wanted to do it after watching the film Splash. It's not just women though, I get couples coming and men wanting to have a go.
"It is safe as long as you are with a qualified instructor."
