All About Mermaid Tails For Swimming (About, Types, Pros, Cons, Cost)

Have you noticed the boom of mermaid tails for kids in swimming recently? The Little Mermaid sang about how she wanted to be “where the people are.” As it turns out, we’d rather be with the mermaids!

While mermaids are mere fantasy, they’re brought to life every day by professional mermaids. Yes, that is a real job! These actors or models are hired to swim or pose for performances or public events.

Still, you don’t have to be a professional to enjoy a mermaid experience of your own. Children and adults alike have taken up their own swimmable mermaid tails as a hobby or a fun method of exercise.

What is a Mermaid Tail?

So, what exactly is a mermaid tail? As you know, mermaids are mythical beings who are half-human, half-fish. As humans, we have half of the criteria down; we just need our tails!

Mermaid tails are swimmable accessories designed to make the wearer look and swim like a mermaid. They are worn over the legs and feet and usually have a monofin.

To visualize a monofin, picture two scuba fins combined. They have double slots to fit a human’s feet and transform them into a set of tail flukes. Sometimes, a monofin is included with the tail. Otherwise, it has to be purchased separately.

The monofin is then slipped into the so-called tail skin. There are two main types of tail skins: silicone and fabric.

Types of Mermaid Swim Tails

Mermaid tails are categorized by the material its tail skin is made of. The tail skin is the material that the user wears over their legs and the monofin. Since the monofin is hidden, the tail skin is what we recognize as the entire mermaid tail.

Silicone Tails

Silicone mermaid tails are handmade high quality masterpieces. Some can take months or even years to create. To see how much work goes into a silicone tail, you can watch a step-by-step here.

Usually, silicone tails are custom and handmade jobs. Behind every silicone tail fin is an artist who created it with his or her bare hands to match a customer’s exact measurements and requests.

Silicone tails can be purely slip-on or can have a zipper attached to the back. However, zippers can be a major downfall for performers. Maneuvering such a zipper is nearly impossible without another set of hands around.

While anyone can purchase a silicone tail, these types should be reserved for professional mermaids or models. Since silicone tails tend to be pricey, they make the most sense for someone who makes a living from it.

This is mostly due to the costs associated with silicone mermaid tails. For a true silicone mermaid tail, you can expect to shell out anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000.

Fabric Tails

Fabric tails come in various materials. You can find tails in neoprene, polyester, spandex, or latex. Stretchy fabrics, like latex and lycra, are a popular choice because they are form-fitting but still have some give.

Neoprene is also a common choice in mermaid tails. You’d recognize neoprene as the material wet suits are made out of. Neoprene is a strong synthetic material that provides the wearer with a greater level of buoyancy in the water.

Cost-wise, these types of tails are more affordable than their silicone counterparts. They aren’t typically custom jobs and are ready-made or even mass-produced, which keeps costs down.

Even so, fabric tails aren’t boring or plain. Details like chiffon strands or shiny sequins give these fins some serious “wow” factor.

For those looking for unique and wallet-friendly fabric tails, sites like Etsy feature handcrafted works you can’t find anywhere else.

For children and beginners of all ages, fabric tails are recommended. They are an affordable option and, thanks to the stretch it affords, allows for growth spurts.

Those who mermaid as a hobby should also stick to fabric tails. It’s just the most cost-effective option. Fabric tails can run anywhere from $10 to $100.

Pros and Cons of Mermaid Tails

While transforming into a mermaid sounds magical, and it certainly can be, there are pros and cons.

Pros

Mermaiding is an exciting way to exercise! It’s low-impact, meaning it won’t put undue stress on your joints. Meanwhile, it’s a total all-body workout, with a special emphasis on the core.

Plus, you get all the benefits of normal swimming. Did you know swimming regularly can help to prevent heart disease and type 2 diabetes? Swimming can also increase energy levels.

Many mermaid enthusiasts find this hobby empowering. Young and old alike find confidence and build self-esteem through swimming like a mermaid!

Cons

Mermaid tails aren’t for little ones. While your 3-year-old’s puppy dog eyes might be hard to resist, you will have to. In a 2018 study, it was found that children’s swimming abilities take a 60 percent nosedive when wearing a mermaid tail.

Older children with strong swimming abilities can wear a mermaid tail, but should always be supervised while wearing it.

How to Put on a Mermaid Tail

At first, putting on a mermaid tail looks difficult. Surprisingly, it’s actually very simple. Three steps are really all it takes to put on a basic fabric mermaid tail.

1. If using a monofin, insert the monofin into the bottom of the tail skin.
2. Slip your feet into the slots of the monofin or the flukes of the tail.
3. Pull up the tail skin, just like you would with a pair of pants.

The last step is way easier if you do it while sitting at the edge of the pool. Tail skins slip up easier when damp.

Silicone mermaid tails require a little more preparation. Professional mermaids tend to oil up their legs and stomach before attempting to pull on silicone tails. Sometimes, they can take 20 minutes to get on!

Wrapping it All Up

Mermaiding is a fun hobby that anyone can get into. It’s just like traditional swimming, with a little mystical fun thrown in.

If you or your child would like to dip your fins into the world of mermaids, try out a fabric tail to test the waters. As always, supervise any children in the water.

Most important of all, be sure your children are strong swimmers before trying out a mermaid tail. If they need some assistance to tune up their swim strokes, hire a Sunsational Swim Instructor to travel to your home pool and provide private swimming lessons! Sunsational has instructors in 40 Metro areas Nationwide, check here to see if we have an instructor near you!

Sarah Sebe

Founder, Sunsational Swim School