Don't throw mermaids in the deep end

Tuesday 05 September 2017

Taking to the waves with tail and fin in a bid to emulate the Little Mermaid might have made a splash in Jersey in recent years, but water safety experts are warning the practice is not without risks.

Jersey Coastguards say they are “fully endorsing” the advice of the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), who are urging people to use mermaid fins in controlled environments and under the professional supervision of qualified instructors.

Mike Dunn, RLSS’ Deputy Director of Research and Education, warned that if performed in back gardens and home pools, the activity - also known as mono-fin swimming - could prove dangerous to children. He added that the drowning prevention charity were already “conscious of a number of incidents” caused by improper use of the tails.

Jersey has recently an increase in its mermaid population, with the island’s own Little Mermaid making waves at Bouley Bay and Havre des Pas, while dozens of children and adults signed up for mermaid classes or requested private lessons at birthday parties. That growing trend has since prompted the Jersey Water Safety campaign to share the warning due to concerns that the tails could be bought online by people who might not have received training on how to use them. They said the consequences could be fatal if someone gets into difficulty.

Annie Noble, who works with the campaign group, commented: "It's a concern that people are going out with the tails without knowing how to correctly use them, then getting stuck and tired very quickly resulting in them getting into difficulty. These tails are designed for their usage with training given but unfortunately they are bought online and sent to people that have never used them. As the tail traps both legs, people tend to panic when they can't move and the outcome could be tragic."

At Les Ormes, where mermaid classes have enchanted islanders since January, swimmers learn how to use their fin one swish at a time. Conrad, a swimming instructor, explained that the main risk when using a mono-fin without experience is that they might encounter difficulties when breathing. He said: "It can be very dangerous in deep waters when there are waves. Because of the mono-fin, you have to keep your legs together and it can be a lot harder to breathe. There are lots of things you can do to help the situation but you wouldn't know if you haven't taken any classes."

He added: "We take it in stages and warm up to avoid cramps. We teach swimmers how to stand in the water with the fin, then how to float on their back so they are not struggling to breathe then we teach them movements on their back and on their front. After that, we move to deeper pools and try and increase their strength and the length they can cover."  

Video: Jersey's Own Little Mermaid in action.

Jersey’s own Little Mermaid, Lauren McQueen, taught herself how to swim like Ariel without the help of a fin. She recommends the technique to others, as it helps building confidence.

"People should practice swimming with their legs together and their arms out in front of them, using slow movements. It is very hard work, but practice makes perfect! Choosing the right size of tail and mono-fin is also very important. You want to make sure the tail will fit you comfortably, and that you have lots of foot room in the mono-fin, so that you have more control of your feet. If the tail is too tight or too big, it could cause a lot of problems!" she said.

The Ariel look-alike also encourages others to avoid deep waters until they feel comfortable enough. She explained: "It is always best off to start in the swimming pool in shallow water as the sea is too dangerous to train beginners. Then, you can gradually start to swim in deeper water. Each time you swim, it's good to test yourself by going deeper but make sure you are completely comfortable and feel safe in doing so."