Planet Mermaid Blog
Planet Mermaid helps save the Whales and Dolphins!
Planet Mermaid is very proud to have one of its own mermaid team member’s sign up to the “Swim Serpentine” event to raise valuable funds for WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, the leading global charity dedicated to the protection of whales, dolphins and porpoises. The Swim Serpentine event is a one day open water swimming event held on Saturday 18th September at the beautiful Serpentine in Hyde Park, London, home of the Serpentine Swimming Club. Hyde Park swimming is open to everyone at the Serpentine Lido and is an amazing venue to do wild water swimming. Mermaid Ophelie who took no hesitation in signing up comments: “When I was given the opportunity to participate in this event, I said yes straight away without knowing too much about the details. I am always up for doing new and exciting things that challenge me and allow me to work towards a specific goal, all whilst raising money for a great cause. I had recently seen articles about an annual tradition in the Faroe Islands in Denmark where a festival involves the needless killing of hundreds of dolphins and whales, these images have continued to be my inspiration and motivation for doing the swim. Whales, dolphins and all sea creatures are a Mermaid's best friend and they need to be saved, they all deserve a chance to live. When I started training, I was barely able to swim 500m, and this was with lots of breaks! I can now swim 1600m with minimal breaks and longer sets, with each session I try and push myself to swim longer and further. I have loved swimming and being in the water, both in pools and outside in the fresh and most of the time very chilly water. My hair never looks nice, I always seem to have water in my ears and can’t get rid of the smell of chlorine, but it is completely worth it! I'm so excited for the event on the 18th September and can’t wait to swim alongside everyone else participating, I'm sure I won’t be the only mermaid there” Planet Mermaids founder Maggie goes on to say: “We at Planet Mermaid are super proud of Mermaid Ophelie for her endurance, strength and courage to improve her health and stamina whilst doing her part to help save whales, dolphins and porpoises; we are behind her at every stage of this exciting journey” Mermaid Ophelie is openwater swimming in her wetsuit and neoprene swim cap but has said if she raises enough for WDC she may think about using her mermaid tail or even enter other open water swim races in 2021! Mermaid Ophelie has been training extremely hard for this and if all goes well may look to do the North Channel Swim as her next challenge!! Ophelie has already smashed her £300 target which is simply amazing, lets help her get to her ultimate goal of £700, simply click on the link to go straight to her just giving page of you would like to donate to this worthy cause - https://bit.ly/3ySjHyb If Mermaid Ophelie has inspired you to try openwater swimming and you are thinking about where you can find “open water swimming near me” just google and locations will come up near you. Mermaid Ophelie chose to train at Box End, Kempston in Bedfordshire, near Planet Mermaids HQ. Planet Mermaid will be cheering Mermaid Ophelie on during her swim the 18th September so keep an eye on our social media for live updates! Go Mermaid Ophelie you truly are an inspiration and the whales, dolphins and porpoises will be so proud of you!
Dads dressing as Mermen in public are fatherhood goals!
In celebration of Father’s Day we wanted to praise all those daddy’s out there who will do almost anything to make their little ones smile, even if it means dressing up as their favourite Disney character in public! History of Father’s Day Father’s Day is celebrated worldwide to acknowledge the contribution fathers and father figures make to the lives of their children. The day, mainly held on the third Sunday in June, celebrates fatherhood and male parenting. It was founded in Spokane, Washington at the YMCA in 1910 by Sonora Smart Dodd and its first celebration was on the 19th June 1910. Her father, William Jackson Smart, was a single parent who raised 6 children and Sorona wanted to do something special for him. Source: Google Since then it has grown to be an event shared by families around the world and a day to say thanks to all those wonderful dads out there! Father Daughter Moments Planet Mermaid regularly gets emails from fathers asking if they make mermen costumes just so they can surprise their little ones who are mermaid crazy. Parents looking to create lasting memories with their children can take inspiration from these fathers seen putting a smile on their daughters faces and embracing their love for all things mermaid. Source: Google Source: Google Professional footballer Charlie Austin was seen supporting his daughter embracing her inner Ariel in her Planet Mermaid tail whilst on holiday, what a magical father daughter moment! Source: Google Father’s Day Gift Ideas Stuck for mermaid inspired gift ideas…look no further! Source: Google Soure: https://bit.ly/2XOZiei Source: www.johnlewis.com Source: Google There are many exclusively designed products on the market including mermaid tails and other merchandise for mermen or merboys so why not give it a try and make a big SPLASH!
World Reef Awareness Day
World Reef Awareness Day held on the 1st June was founded by Raw Elements, a certified natural sunscreen company, to inform the world about the importance of our reefs and inform us how we can protect them. Source: Google This day is a call to action for businesses, organisations and consumers to reflect on how delicate our coral reefs are and bring people together to actively promote change of our current ways through education and awareness. What are Coral Reefs? Coral reefs are living communities of colonial organism made of individual polyps that excrete a bone-like skeleton. This skeleton forms large rock-like structures that are homes for thousands of organisms. They provide an important eco system for marine life giving them food and shelter. Source: Google Where are Coral Reefs Found? Corals are found in all oceans however they only build reefs in warm waters, the most famous being the Great Barrier Reef in Australia which is a staggering 2,300 kilometres long! The Health of our Coral Reefs The health of a reef tells us a great deal about the state of an ocean and many fish and other ocean animals rely on the reef for protection, food and most importantly their life support system. The benefits of a healthy reef ecosystem go far beyond the ocean: essential to the plant and fish-life contribute to a lively fishing industry protect beaches and coastlines from erosion acts as the oceans filter provide life-saving medicines and possibly the one animal on the planet capable of consuming plastic Source: https://bit.ly/36w8Ey5 Coral Reef Threats There is however a great threat to our amazing reefs and this is in the form of coral bleaching. This is such a desperate problem that reefs are disappearing at a rapid rate. The Great Barrier Reef for example has decreased by 40% and others along the Florida Keys and the Caribbean have seen a decline between 85-99%! Source: Google What causes coral reefs to die off? Rising sea temperatures Industrial pollution, plastic pollution, sewage Chemical sunscreens and Unmanaged, high-density tourism all threaten coral reefs. Source: https://bit.ly/2M0l0Fe How can we help protect our Coral Reefs? One easy step to help protect our amazing coral reefs is to wear non nano zinc oxide sunscreen. This reduces the toxicity and the impact to our ecosystems is mitigated. If each of us spreads this awareness we in turn help save our reefs for tomorrow and will be able to continue to enjoy the splendor these magical ecosystems have to offer.. maybe even in your magical mermaid tail! For further information please visit www.worldreefday.org
Where is the Little Mermaid set (and other interesting facts)
The Little Mermaid is one of the most famous animated films by Disney that is based on a fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen and our absolute favourite. In this article we are going to cover a few interesting and controversial facts about this cartoon. Who wrote the Little Mermaid? As we have mentioned, the original story was written by Hand Christian Andersen, a famous Danish author who is most known for his fairy tales. The story that he tells is more dramatic and less cheerful than Disney’s interpretation. Where is the Little Mermaid set? The Little Mermaid action takes place under the sea, in the kingdom of Atlantica that is supposedly located in Denmark, where Hans Christian Andersen is from. This may be true for an original story and in fact there is even a statue of Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. However, when it comes to Disney version of the story, the location seems to be different. There are multiple versions and opinions on where the film takes place. Eric’s castle and other onshore houses are made from white material that seems to be marble, which is a popular material in Mediterranean or Southern Europe. General aesthetics of the town and house fittings remind us of France, whilst flora and fauna seem quite tropical and we can see flamingos and palm trees. On the other hand, being a prince, Eric could have easily afforded to import flamingos to his private lake as well as plant and maintain the palm trees, after all you can occasionally see palm tree varieties in some gardens in the UK. All in all, according to our independent research and knowledge of merworld, we have came to the conclusion that the Little Mermaid is set in the Mediterranean sea, with Eric’s castle being located on one of the islands. How old is Ariel the Little Mermaid? Ariel is 16 years old when the first film takes place. She is over 28 years old in the second film, The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea and she is a little mermaid-girl in the third movie that depicts her early childhood, “The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning”. She wears a green tail similar to the Planet Mermaid flagship Sea Star tail https://tinyurl.com/planet-mermaid Who is playing the Little Mermaid? As many other Little Mermaids fans we can’t wait to see the new live action remake by Disney that is gossiped, but not confirmed to be released in November 2021. Ariel is played by Halle Bailey and we think that her cheeky smile and beautiful eyes match Ariel’s character perfectly. Let’s hope that the rest of the movie would be as good as our expectations set very high thanks to the success of the original film. What is Sebastian from the Little Mermaid? Sebastian is Ariel’s crustacean friend that speaks with a Jamaican accents and self identifies as a crab, even though he looks a bit like a lobster and official Disney sources name him a lobster. He loves music and in fact, after the success of the Little Mermaid, Disney has released three albums under the name of Sebastian from The Little Mermaid that feature reggae-inspired hits by Sebastian and a few hits from the film itself. What type of fish is Flounder from Little Mermaid? Despite his name, Flounder is not actually a flounder but a tropical fish. His look combines features of multiple fishes of tropical appearance. To us he looks like a mix of a puffer fish(left) and Caribbean Blue Angelfish (right).
Fun activities to do with your children during this period of self-isolation
Finding different ways of keeping your bundles of joy entertained at any time can be a challenging concept but having to adapt to a new way of life during these unprecedented times can seem a little daunting, especially when your options are very limited! The new “every day living” is very different to what we are used to, home schooling and working from home is now the new “norm” and something which we had to adapt to very quickly. No one knows how long we will be in this situation for or when normal life will resume but until then let’s take this time to spend precious time with our family and do things together which you wouldn’t normally find time to do in your busy everyday lives. We have come up with some mertastic suggestions below to help adults and children enjoy their self isolating time together and make memories to treasure! Planet Mermaids top 15 mertastic and shark ideas: 1. Home baking There are some fantastic online baking classes children can enjoy from the comfort and safety of their own home: 2. Make a memory box Why not make a memory box containing memories from your past and your present. Memory boxes are a great way to keep imagination flowing. Any box can be used, old or new, have fun decorating it and fill with all your special memories. 3. Mermaid and shark inspired crafts 4. Online PE with Joe Wicks Source: Google Every week day morning at 9am Joe Wicks aka “The Body Coach” puts on a live PE session lasting for 30 minutes where he uses different workouts to get children and adults moving in their own homes 5. Do a science experiment 6. Host a family dinner party Why not turn a family dinner time into a trip to a luxury restaurant. 7. Make a bug house 8. Play a board game Bring out those old favorites and have a family board game night 9. Take a walk 10. Make a treasure hunt 11. Make a family tree Research your own family tree by face timing or calling your relatives and research your past online….you may be surprised what you might find! 12. Write a postcard to an elderly neighbour or friend We guarantee this will make their day! 13. Build a den 14. Camp in the garden As the weather gets better what a perfect opportunity to camp out in your garden or if you like your family comforts from the warmth of your sitting room! 15. Film night Nothing beats sitting in front of a good film with a big bowl of popcorn! Most importantly don’t forget Planet Mermaids very own Calendar competition – look on our website for more details! Adults take time for yourselves too, 20 minutes is all you need to re-focus your mind. We would love to hear what you are up to… Leave your feedback please visit our social media pages - @PlanetMermaid #planetmermaid On a separate note we are still scheduling mermaid swimming sessions via www.mermaidwave.com for this summer and we recommend keeping spirits high in such strange times by letting our children continue to believe in the magic of hope and prosperity. Please use the #mermaidlockdown to show the world that the UK will continue to be hopeful and positive in a time where our generation can use technology to unite spirit and mind. Planet Mermaid will continue posting parcels whilst our UK/International Couriers continue to knock on our door in Bedford to collect. Please look out for any vulnerable neighbours and extend the hand of grace and kindness to all postal staff, NHS staff and shopkeepers, small businesses who continue to provide a service. At this time we would like to say the biggest mermaid thank you to you all for your continued support. Visit www.planetmermaid.com to view our latest in amazing fabric mermaid tails for kids and adults, woman’s mermaid monofins, siren tails and a whole lot more! Mermaid love to you all Keep safe! #mermaidlockdown
How to choose a swimsuit for a girl?
When it comes to choosing a swimsuit for a child, there are so many things to consider, especially if you are getting it as a gift. When choosing a swimsuit the key things to take into consideration are: Size and age Shape/type of garment and its comfort Understanding of where it is going to be used Any additional features Design, colours and patterns Size of the girl’s swimsuit Most of the retailers offer size charts, so check them first as each brand would have slightly different measurements. Very often children's clothing comes categorised by age, rather than measurements, so if you are buying a gift ensure to find out the age first, as it may be helpful. Our girls swimsuits offer both – age guidance and exact measurements. If you think that the girl you are buying for is taller or shorter than most kids for her age, exact measurements would help. If you can’t get measurements, reaching out to the merchant and asking them for help with choosing the right size is always an option. Type or shape of the swimsuit Understanding how the swimsuit is likely to be used will help you with your decision. Indoors swimming pool The usual choice for indoor swimming is a one-piece swimming suit, as it stays in place and comfortable to swim in. Darker, professional-looking swimsuits are often preferred for swimming classes, whilst if you are attending a swimming pool for leisure, you can always pick something very colourful. Outdoors swimming Outdoor swimming have different requirements with a few more things to consider – a cute bikini set is often a good choice. They come in all possible colours and patterns and don’t forget that wearing a set of separates makes a trip to the bathroom much easier! Girls’ UV swimsuit Another factor to take into consideration is sun protection. Children skin is sensitive and needs extra protection. Tops with long sleeves or rash guards may become a nice option and if that feels a bit too much, ensure that the swimsuit of your choice provides UV protection Girls swimsuits with skirt If you want to get something super cute, you may consider searching for a swimsuit with a little skirt. Some parents may argue that skirt doesn’t add any functionality and it is just an additional piece of fabric that extends drying time. Some parents just find it pretty. The choice is yours. Girls mermaid swimsuit It would be weird for us to not to mention our colourful mermaid swimsuits. Thanks to the vivid colours they stand out and attract attention. They also have matching mermaid tails that you can swim with, just saying...
World Book Day – Thursday 5th March 2020
World Book Day is celebrated every year and is a festivity of literature, illustrators and authors all getting together to enjoy the general love reading has to offer. This year the theme is “share a million stories” It is a proven fact that storytelling is a fantastic learning platform and not only does it provide confidence and enjoyment to the recipient it also greatly improves: Literacy & creative writing Composition Spoken English Speaking & listening Language & vocabulary Communication skills Cultural understanding Participation Learning & thinking skills In fact, there’s evidence to suggest that reading for pleasure is more likely to determine whether a child does well at school, rather than their social or economic background. To coincide with World Book Day Planet Mermaid are excited to announce the launch of their very own book club where you will have the opportunity to share your love of ocean themed books with fellow mermaid friends and once a month be given suggestions for exciting reads. The club will give you the opportunity to dive deeper into the enchanting world of merfolk. From mermaids at school, to merfolk mixing with humans in magical ways, or getting lost in the fun mermaids and sharks get up to on their adventures, these picks are sure to make a splash with children of all ages. Whether you are a merboy or mermaid there are plenty of exciting reads to choose from. Let Planet Mermaid lead you into the enchanted world beneath the sea. Source: Google To get the book club going we would like to introduce our first book of the month “Can you catch a Mermaid?” (by Jane Ray) Source: Google This story is an enchanting, touching tale about friendship, filled with a wonderful sense of magic, myth and mystery. Beautifully told and illustrated by the award-winning Jane Ray, this magical story is perfect for mermaid lovers of all ages. We would love to hear your personal thoughts on this or make any suggestions for future reads. There is a prize each month for the best feedback! To be part of our monthly book club and to leave your feedback please visit our social media pages - @PlanetMermaid #planetmermaid Visit www.planetmermaid.com to view our latest in amazing fabric mermaid tails for kids and adults, woman’s mermaid monofins, siren tails and a whole lot more! Happy reading…. Keep mermaiding and sharking
Amazing Competition Alert! Planet Mermaid are Fishing for Calendar Models!
Planet Mermaid are very excited to announce that they have recently paired up with WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation to launch a 2021 calendar later on this year! It may be only January but as the UK’s leading supplier of swimable mermaid tails, they have started fishing for models. Yes, the best news is that they are looking for 11 mermaids or merboys – aged between 3 and 14 years – to showcase their amazing tails and accessories. Mermazing, right? Can you see yourself being be the next Mermaid June or Merboy August? If your answer is yes then read on…. Each winner will be treated like the king and queen of the ocean with full makeovers, a delicious lunch, a Planet Mermaid Deluxe set to take home and a special digital photograph from the photo shoot. All you have to do is be free for the photo shoot on 2nd September 2020 from 9am-5pm. You must also be able to independently travel to the chosen location within the UK (this does include with an adult!). On top of this, you need: A love of the ocean, from the jumping dolphins to the spiky sea urchins Tons of energy and positivity A kind, compassionate and happy attitude A smile to launch a thousand ships How to enter: Send a close-up portrait and full-length landscape image of the prospective mermaid/merboy via WhatsApp to 0736 500 9780 Include your name, age and email address in the WhatsApp message Closing date for entries is 4pm on 20th August 2020 Good luck and don’t forget to keep on flapping those beautiful fins! ............................ Planet Mermaid are very pleased to be working with WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation a leading global charity dedicated to the protection of whales, dolphins and porpoises. WDC defend these remarkable creatures against the many threats they face and work through campaigns, lobby, advising governments, conservation projects, field research and rescue all over the world. Their vision is a world where every whale, dolphin and porpoise is safe and free. TERMS & CONDITIONS Planet Mermaid Charity Calendar Competition The shoot will take place on Wednesday 2nd September 2020 between 9am and 5pm. Attendance will be required for the whole duration of this time. The location of the venue is East Anglia and precise directions will be available to each winner. Transport to and from the photography studio is to be arranged by yourself at your own cost. Failure to arrive on time may impact the winner’s opportunity to be included in the calendar. The winners must be accompanied by a responsible parent/guardian who will be responsible for their safety, actions and behaviour for the duration of the day. Each winner will receive: A Full Makeover Lunch Planet Mermaid Deluxe Set to take home Digital photograph from their photoshoot Each winner must give reasonable notice if unable to attend or supply any information required for the Photography Shoot. No personal photography to be taken during the Photography Shoot. Full measurements are required of each winner prior to the event. If there are any changes in the winner’s appearance before the event, we must be given prior information. Each winner will be given first opportunity to purchase a copy of the calendar. Disclaimer: We will potentially use any photographs or video sent to us for any future commercial purposes. We consider receipt of any images as confirmation you are happy to comply with this. Please visit www.planetmermaid.com for our full terms and conditions.
National Hug Day 2020
Now who doesn’t like a hug from someone, whether it be a friendly greeting or an expression of warmth showing your gratitude for someone, hugs are the best way to express your love when words fail to describe. It is an indication of trust and control in your life. Source: Google National Hug Day is an annual event on the 21st January. Founded in Michigan it has spread through the years to Canada, UK, Australia, Poland and Germany. This annual day is dedicated to the act of hugging, whether it is with a loved one, a special friend or a stranger who you feel just needs an arm around them. Receiving a hug not only provides emotional support it is also proven to have health benefits. Studies have shown that hugs increase levels of oxytocin and reduce blood pressure! Source: Google A hug can convey different messages so it is best to be aware of the message you are trying to put across when hugging. The most common types of hugs are: Bear Hug – tight, reassuring and worth a million words Polite Hug – a hug you usually share with acquaintances and colleagues One-Way Hug – when one person hugs with everything they have but is not reciprocated by the other party Intimate Hug – a close, full-body embrace Buddy Hug – a sideways hug suggesting a level of comfort and trust Back Hug – another form of an intimate hug, a sign of trust and protection Source: https://bit.ly/2P7FA9j There is one hug that has not been included above and one which all mermaids think is the most important of all….the “Mermaid hug” let’s try and get this hug within the top six for next year’s National Hug Day! Source: Google If you are embracing National Hug Day today please let us know and tell us which hug is your favourite, we would love to hear from you and share on our social media pages - @PlanetMermaid #planetmermaid Visit www.planetmermaid.com to view our latest in amazing fabric mermaid tails for kids and adults, woman’s mermaid monofins, siren tails and a whole lot more! Keep mermaiding and sharking
