By the Founder of Planet Mermaid
There is something timeless about the magic of mermaids. For centuries, stories of mysterious sea maidens have captured the imagination of children and adults alike. In the United Kingdom especially, the mythology of mermaids runs deep through coastal folklore, maritime legends, and seaside storytelling.
Yet over the past two decades, something extraordinary happened: the mermaid myth stepped out of the pages of legend and into real life. Children didn’t just dream of mermaids anymore — they became them.
At Planet Mermaid, we were lucky enough to witness the very beginning of this transformation.
The Early Days of Mermaid Swimming
Back in 2009, when Planet Mermaid first began creating mermaid tails in our studio in Bedfordshire, the idea of mermaid swimming was still something new in the UK. Children loved dressing up as mermaids, but swimming like one — gliding through the water with a beautiful tail — was almost unheard of.
Our very first tails were pink. That colour felt like the perfect beginning — playful, magical, and unmistakably mermaid.
When the Beach Believed
Parents began calling us to tell incredible stories about children wearing our tails at the beach. One young girl swimming with her tail quickly became the centre of attention as other children gathered around her asking for photos and hugs.
The Birth of Mermaid Swimming Lessons
Parents began asking if their children could learn to swim like mermaids properly. So we began working with affiliated swim schools across the UK to create structured mermaid swimming sessions where children could learn the dolphin kick and gain confidence in the water.
We have training hundreds of professional Swimming Instructors across the UK to date.
The evolution of mermaid swim schools has evolved over the last two decades
Listening to Our Mermaid Community
We listened carefully to our customers and expanded from our original pink tail into a full rainbow of colours so every young mermaid could find the tail that matched their imagination.
When Parents Wanted to Be Mermaids Too
Mothers often told us they wished they had mermaid tails when they were young. So we began designing tails for adults as well, allowing families to enjoy the magic of mermaid swimming together.
When Mermaids Became Gymnasts
In 2018 we experimented with mermaid gymnastics at a local gym school. The BBC filmed the session and the footage quickly went viral with more than 7 million people watching mermaids performing gymnastics.
Shortly afterwards the Olympic gymnastics training team in the United States contacted us asking if we could send mermaid tails for their athletes to try.
We worked closely with the Falcon Gym Team and created a Viral sensation!
BBC Business News and Global Attention
Following the viral success we were invited onto BBC Business News to talk about the global interest in mermaid gymnastics and mermaid swimming. During the broadcast the presenter even wore one of our mermaid tails on air.
Dressing Celebrities and Their Families
Over the years our mermaid tails have been worn by thousands of children including the families of well‑known celebrities. One unforgettable moment was seeing Shakira wearing one of our mermaid tails in the Vogue building in London.
Sending Mermaid Magic Around the World
Planet Mermaid tails have travelled across the globe, helping children experience the joy of becoming a mermaid for the very first time.
Guinness World Record for the Largest Gathering of Mermaids
In June 2022, Planet Mermaid was proud to take part in the Guinness World Record attempt for the largest gathering of mermaids, held in Plymouth, United Kingdom. An incredible 378 mermaids came together in one location, creating a spectacular celebration of creativity, community, and the growing popularity of mermaid swimming. Events like this highlight how a childhood dream has evolved into a global movement enjoyed by swimmers of all ages. Later that year the record was surpassed by Richard Branson at the Virgin Voyages Beach Club in Bimini, where 457 mermaids gathered to set a new Guinness World Record. Seeing hundreds of people united by the magic of mermaids was a powerful reminder of how far the mermaid swimming community has grown around the world.
The History of Mermaid Swimming
Although mermaid legends date back centuries in folklore, modern mermaid swimming is a relatively recent activity. Early underwater mermaid performances appeared in films and aquariums during the mid‑20th century.
As swim technology improved, specially designed monofins allowed swimmers to move through the water using the dolphin kick, creating the fluid movement associated with mermaids.
During the early 2000s recreational mermaid swimming began to grow around the world, and companies such as Planet Mermaid helped introduce the experience to families and swim schools across the UK.
What Is Mermaid Swimming?
Mermaid swimming involves wearing a mermaid tail with a monofin and using a dolphin kick motion similar to the butterfly stroke.
Is Mermaid Swimming Safe?
When taught correctly and supervised by parents and trained instructors, mermaid swimming can be a safe and rewarding activity.
Mermaid Swimming FAQ
What age can children start mermaid swimming?
Most swim schools recommend children are confident swimmers before using a mermaid tail.
Is mermaid swimming good exercise?
Yes. Mermaid swimming strengthens core muscles and improves coordination.
Are mermaid tails safe?
When used with supervision and proper instruction, mermaid tails can be safe and enjoyable.
About the Author
This article was written by the founder of Planet Mermaid, the founding UK company, introducing mermaid swimming to children across the UK since 2009.
