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Feeling the flow

Hawaii Mermaid Adventures offers a new way to explore ocean while urging conservation

Swimmers use mermaid tails to embody the mythical sea creatures with Hawaii Mermaid Adventures, which offers lessons out of Makena in South Maui. Hawaii Mermaid Adventures photo

Exploring the water and marine life off Maui’s sandy shores allows a glimpse into a stunning and mysterious world, a place where humans can visit but never truly belong. Until now.

At Hawaii Mermaid Adventures, people can leave their bipedal nature behind, slip into a flowing, glittering tail and turn into one of the sea’s most beloved characters. Those behind the idea hope that offering people such an opportunity will lead to a greater respect for the ocean.

“My whole idea behind wanting to do the mermaid school was that if you’re going to embody something that lives in the ocean, even if it’s just for a day, I think it creates a deeper connection to the environment itself,” said Lila Jones, a mermaid instructor with the business, which is starting to swim into high gear this fall as part of Hawaiian Paddle Sports.

Providing a colorful array of mermaid tails, Hawaii Mermaid Adventures teaches people of all ages how to glide through the ocean like the mythical creatures that have fascinated the world for centuries. And whether you’ve dreamed of a fairy-tale life underwater or not, swimming like a mermaid certainly offers a new way to explore under the sea.

Hawaiian Paddle Sports owner Timothy Lara had read an article about a mermaid school in the Philippines several years ago and thought it would be “epic” to bring the activity to Maui as a new model for eco-tourism. His company was one of the first to be certified by the Hawaii Ecotourism Association, which defines ecotourism as “nature- and culture-based tourism that is ecologically sustainable and supports the well-being of local communities.”

Hawaii Mermaid Adventures photo

“For Hawaiian Paddle Sports, a big part of our mission is instilling the value of kuleana,” said Lara, who serves on the association’s board, as well as other boards such as Surfrider Foundation Maui Chapter and Hawaiian Island Land Trust.

Fast forward to last year, when Lara connected with Jones, who also wanted to start a mermaid school here but needed a boost in the business department, and the two decided to pair up. Jones is a marine biologist who graduated from Hawaii Pacific University and has spent time working in Alaska contracted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Lara had noticed that other Maui companies were offering clients a chance to pose for photos in mermaid tails on the beach, while others were increasingly offering high-end underwater photography. With his background in activities, he knew combining mermaid swimming lessons with photography would be a hit, which is why customers receive complimentary beach and underwater photos.

Safety is a top priority, and all mermaid instructors are CPR, lifeguard and marine naturalist certified.

Customers first practice getting in and out of the tails on land, then practice in the water, all the while learning ocean mysteries and global myths about mermaids. The activity is recommended for families, especially mothers and daughters, as well as girlfriend getaways, bridal parties and more. Mermen are welcome also, as the tails are unisex.

Jones said most customers use snorkels or goggles while learning the technique, and instructors use different methods to help swimmers learn what’s called a dolphin kick, which leads to the smooth, fluid motions needed for the classic mermaid flow.

“It’s honestly kind of just liberating because all of a sudden you get to be goofy and you get to play and you get to just sort of have fun in the water,” Jones said.

For those who want to continue their undersea adventures, the company offers mermaid tails for purchase.

Lara and Jones believe that becoming a mermaid is a first step in becoming a lifelong ocean steward. Before entering the water, guides demonstrate proper water etiquette, explain how to identify native fish species and highlight important conservation issues. Guides also conduct mini-beach clean-ups before each lesson.

They focus primarily on the importance of reducing single-use plastics — for example, encouraging the use of reusable water bottles — and the use of biodegradable sunblocks that don’t contain oxybenzone, which has been shown to damage coral reefs.

Jones emphasizes to customers that marine conservation starts on land.

“The simple decisions that they make at home, whether they’re landlocked in Missouri or in another coastal area, it’s all going to eventually end up affecting the ocean,” she said.

Among the legends of mermaids, one story goes that the creatures would use their beautiful voices to lure whaling ships onto the rocks to their doom, a myth that Lara and Jones say speaks to today’s concerns of over-fishing.

While putting on a pair of standard fins may also lead to a greater appreciation for the ocean, Lara and Jones believe that adding a little magic to the experience can make an even greater impression.

“We as mermaids today can use our voice for conservation,” Lara said.

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Hawaii Mermaid Adventures

• Swim like a mermaid while learning about sea legends and marine conservation.

• For more information, visit www.hawaiimermaidadventures.com.

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