Mermaiding

Mermaiding (also referred to as artistic mermaiding, mermaidry, or artistic mermaid performance) is the practice of swimming while wearing a costume mermaid tail. In the beginning of the twentieth century mermaiding was sometimes referred to as water ballet, but it is not currently a term that is used much. Mermaiding should not be confused with modern synchronized swimming, although there can be some overlap if a mermaid performance troupe is performing a synchronized routine. Mermaiding is both a profession and a hobby. Professional mermaids will often swim in live, filmed, or photographed productions or shows and can be hired for special events. Nonprofessional enthusiasts swim in tails at their local pools, lakes, rivers, or seashores. Mermaiding is popular with all ages and genders. Mermaiding practitioners are sometimes called mermaids, professional mermaids, or occasionally, water ballerinas. Within the community, mermaid can be shortened to “mer.”Mermaiding is often seen to go hand-in-hand with cosplay and crafting, due to the nature of the tails and other prosthetics used by practitioners. There are several tail making companies supplying the community with everything from fabric tails to full SFX prostheses costing thousands of dollars. Many tail makers have roots in mermaiding, but not all. It is not required to be a mermaid to be a tail maker or vice versa.