Mermaid tail craze could cost lives, warn swimming safety experts
Lifesaving bodies have issued warnings over a mermaid craze sweeping the UK that they say could result in drowning following a number of incidents in unmonitored areas.
The trend of wearing a mermaid tail to swim in back garden pools has led to the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), a water safety charity, to warn parents to use them only in supervised classes.
Earlier this month Harry Byatt, the teenage son of Diana, Princess of Wales’s lady-in-waiting, died at a beach resort in Zakynthos, Greece, while using a monofin and snorkel.
RLSS UK has teamed up with Fin2fit, which offers mermaid and shark tail swimming exercise classes for children, to ensure their safe use.
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 monofin 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 the 1984 Tom Hanks film, Splash.
Last month dozens of women competed in the Miss Mermaid UK contest, which is in its third year.
Carrie Whitworth designs silicon mermaid tails. “It is massive in the US and now the trend is growing here,” she said.