Mermaids get together at the Merfest

Janet Rudman, a Linden-based National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) freediving and mermaid instructor, organised a successful Mermagic Fest Africa at Marico Oog, a crystal clear spring surrounded by lily pads and pretty fish, creating a mermaid’s wonderland.

Rudman explained that they had about 20 mermaids and freedivers compared to about 12 they had last year.

“So it’s a 60 per cent growth. We find there is a big integration between the mermaids and freedivers, with many wanting to qualify as both. The mermaiding is the fantasy and fun side of things and the freediving is more technical and includes depth. This also really helps with mermaid skills. We have had a huge influx in enquiries and our courses are booked up for the next two months.”

The aim of the festival was to bring like-minded water lovers together, to escape the stress of the real world and enjoy some fantasy.

She added that the pirate and mermaid stories around the campfire were interactive and included the whole crowd.

“Fun was had by all, and that’s the main objective. We felt that it was highly successful.”

The festival took place over three days and had various mermaid workshops and activities such as:

• Underwater posing techniques
• Mermaid swimming with grace
• Mermaid photoshoot
• How to create your mersona (mermaid personality)
• Mermaiding to depth
• Equalising skills
• Mermaid tail care.

They also enjoyed the evening functions like mermaid and pirate tales around a bonfire and mermaid and friends dress-up party.

The Merfest was well attended with mermaids attending from Gauteng, Western Cape and Eastern Cape.

Dana Cato, Kylee Nel the mermaid tail makers and NAUI mermaid and instructor were among the attendees with Albert Smuts the underwater photographer and NAUI Freediver.

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Mermaiding in South Africa is growing rapidly