Swim Like a Mermaid

Do you dream of swimming like a mermaid? With some practice you can learn to move with the grace and power of these mythical creatures. Once you've mastered the movements and feel confident in the water, you can even add a monofin and custom mermaid tail to complete your transformation!

Steps

Learning the Dolphin Kick

1. Warm up your body and get used to the water. Before attempting to swim like a mermaid, you need to make sure you are comfortable and confident in the water. Swim a few laps without holding onto the pool sides or another person, tread water for a minute, and practice floating on your front, back, and flipping from back to front.
   • If you cannot easily complete this warm up, then you may need to practice your basic swimming skills before attempting to swim like a mermaid. The dolphin kick requires a lot of power, and you need to be able to hold your breath underwater.
   • If you feel nervous or panicked, concentrate on building up your confidence in the water before you do anything else. Work with a coach or parent to get your swimming skills to a level where you feel comfortable swimming on your own.
2. Float on your stomach and hold your body in a straight line. Your body and head should be parallel to the bottom of the swimming pool.
   • Your arms can be at your sides or stretched out in front of you, hands clasped, like a spear.
   • Your legs and feet should be kept together, with your feet pointed.
   • Do not lock your knees.
3. Press your chest into the water, then release. Keep your core tight, holding your shoulders and arms still.
4. Press your hips into the water at the same time you release your chest. Your legs should follow the hips in that downward motion, knees slightly bent.
5. Release your hips and again press your chest down.
6. Extend your knees as the hips release, letting the undulating motion flow through your legs.
7. Snap your feet. The full motion should resemble a whip cracking, with your feet the tip of the whip. It should be fluid, never jerky.
   • Imagine a wave or undulating motion passing through your body, from you hips to your toes.
8. Repeat the sequence. So, when you press your chest down, your hips are moving up, and when you press your hips down, your chest is moving up. Your legs should follow the movement of your hips.

Swimming with a Monofin

1. Remember that the monofin is not meant as an aid for new swimmers. Swimming with a monofin will add power to your kick and may take you further and deeper into the water than you realize. If you are not a strong swimmer, don't know how to hold your breath, or become nervous or panicked in the water, then it is dangerous for you to swim with a monofin.
2. Find the right monofin. Your safety and comfort depend on finding a monofin that fits correctly and isn't too heavy. A heavy monofin can weigh you down in the water and cause you to tire quickly.
   • Women should start with a fin one size lower than their shoe size; men should start with the same size fin as their shoe size.
   • If the monofin pinches, rubs your feet, or it is difficult to get your foot in the pocket, try a larger size.
   • Sit down and shake your feet in all directions. If the fin moves around on your feet, try a smaller size. It should be snug (but not uncomfortable).
3. Practice using the monofin in a pool. Eliminating the variables of wind, waves, a current, and the possibility of reefs or seaweed will allow you to concentrate solely on getting used to your monofin.
4. Dolphin kick with your monofin. Allow yourself to get used to the feeling of the fin keeping your legs and feet together and the added weight of the fin. Notice how far you can propel yourself with one kick.
   • Keep your arms still at your sides or stretched in front of you in a spear shape. Using your arms is unnecessary and will just make you tired faster.
5. Practice until you feel confident using the monofin.
   • Don't bounce or stand on the tip of the monofin, especially if it is bent backwards. You may break the fin.

Swimming with a Mermaid Tail

1. Make a Mermaid Tail with a Mono Fin or buy a mermaid tail. There are many online stores that sell mermaid tails in different colors and fabrics. Make sure you use the sizing guide before ordering your tail.
2. Practice swimming with your mermaid tail in a pool before you hit the open water. You want to be completely comfortable moving around in your tail before using it in a lake or the ocean. Build your confidence in the pool before throwing waves, currents, and other complications into the mix.
   • If you are swimming in a public pool, be sure you talk to the lifeguard or pool manager before swimming in your tail. If they don't want you to swim where kids are playing, ask if you can use one of the lanes for swimming laps.
   • Swim in your tail only with adult supervision.
3. Don't rub or flick your tail against rough surfaces, like the bottom of the pool. You want to keep your tail in tip-top shape, and this can damage and tear the fabric.

Tips

• Be friendly to the mermaid tail
• Take care and have fun!
• Always swim with a buddy and adult supervision.

Warnings

• Be certain you are a strong, confident swimmer before attempting to swim with a mermaid tail.
• Never venture anywhere in the water that doesn't feel safe. Mermaids aren't invincible, and neither are you!
• Know your limits as a swimmer and don't push yourself.

Related Articles

• See Underwater
• Act Like a Mermaid
• Make a Monofin
• Dolphin Kick
• Make a Mermaid Tail

Sources and Citations

• Videos provided by AquaMermaid

See also

• Skinny Dip
• Snorkel
• Prepare for a White Water Rafting Trip
• Play Sharks and Minnows
• Skip Rocks
• Swim on Your Period with a Pad
• Blow Underwater Air Rings
• Play Marco Polo
• Enjoy a Visit to a Water Park