Mermaids & Manatees In Three Sisters Springs FL

A video capturing our beautiful adventure in Crystal River Florida, swimming up Three Sister Springs in our Mermaid Tails, followed by our guys with cameras!! What a remarkable trip with friends. More photos of this amazing adventure can be found on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaThePirate/?fref=ts and an article retelling our experience will be coming out shortly in Mutiny Magazine.... Keep a weather eye on the horizon.

Mermaids swimming in the Gulf of Mexico

Another fun video from our trip to Florida. This is a beautiful behind the scenes look at our beach photo shoot on the Gulf of Mexico, with Jordan Alvarado Photography. My hubby, Jeff took the behind the scenes video.

We accidentally found this little beach heaven on our way back from exploring Weeki Wachee Mermaid Park. We stayed and played in the shallow water until sunset. It was absolutely beautiful.

The most memorable moment was when a Mommy Porpoise and her baby came swimming playfully by. We of course swam out to meet them, they swam out to the horizon and the setting sun. It was truly magical to be in the Gulf, in a tail and swimming so close behind such beautiful creatures headed towards sunset....

Mermaids in Wekiwa Springs

Located at the headwaters of Wekiva River, the beautiful vistas within this park offer a glimpse of what central Florida looked like when Timucuan Indians fished and hunted these lands. The Wekiwa Springs was beautifully surrounded by lush tropical vegetation in the most beautiful greens. The spring was home to a few fish and lots of turtles and many local swimmers enjoying the fresh, cool water. As mermaids visiting the spring we got a lot of attention, particularly from all of the kids who yelled, "Mermaid"!! and came swimming after us. It was a great deal of fun and a beautiful backdrop for underwater photos and video. Another epic day spent with friends.

For more information on the springs please visit: 

https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Wekiwa-Springs

Photos by Jeff MacKay

A note about Re-enactor Costuming and Finding your Place

This note was inspired by the following post: http://www.pjstar.com/article/20150917/NEWS/150919401/

I know the struggle to find the right "costume," or period correct "attire. When I first started out, I was a Pirate "Wench" and to be a "period correct Wench" meant scratchy uncomfortable clothing, no makeup and a tight corset. I really didn't feel attractive in my first few attempts to be an "authentic Wench" so I tried to be an authentic Pirate. Well to be "authentic Pirate" means you end up looking like a boy - again not attractive. So I switched crews and gave up on trying to be "authentic" and or "period correct."

I like to think that my current costuming is, "Authentic Hollywood Pirate." Meaning it accurately represents historical garb, but has more flare and interest and no rules. The truth is, Historical re-enactors are growing scarcer because it's not interesting to the masses anymore - much like history. People today like glamor, color, and drama... thanks to motion pictures and media - everything can be made so much more impressive and captivating.

In order for re-enactors to engage an audience today or to share a message or to even teach history one must be more dramatic, more bold and be an exaggerated representation of historical accuracy.

I hope that anyone struggling to find their place in the re-enactment world would try less to fit into a mold created by a time in history or by a group and just dress in a way that they find comfortable and pleasing to them.

My advice would be to work on creating a persona that represents you and what you want to do - the costume will be born from there. I promise you, if your having a good time and feel good about your persona you will get the attention you deserve and the fun will be contagious - and more re-enactors will be born!!

Talk Like a Pirate Day at the Ohio Ren Fair

The MacKay Pirate Family had a fabulous day celebrating Talk Like a Pirate Day at the Ohio Ren Fest on "Pirate Weekend". We had our Krispy Creme Doughnuts and headed off the the festival! See the fun here...

Saturday Fun! Wilde's first swim in Twin Quarries

Tail Discrimination!

Tail Discrimination!

The Mermaid community is a small, cozy group of enthusiasts who love Mermaids, Sirens, Tails and the Sea and some even like Pirates. You would think as a collective group everyone would be supportive and inclusive - as it should be, right!?. 

Recently, I have noticed, particularly on social media, but also at events and festivals, what I am calling “Tail Discrimination.”

What is “Tail Discrimination” you ask… Simply put it’s tail favoritism or separatism. 

You have a silicon mermaid tail = you can’t swim with us. You have a spandex tail = you can’t swim with us. You have a sequins tail = you can’t swim with us. You have a neoprene tail = you can’t swim with us. You have a cardboard tail = get out of the pool!!

Why are some events “spandex only” or “silicon only” events?? Unless, there is some environmental reason or pool rule – why wouldn’t ALL tails be invited to play?? I mean lets not sit in the shallow end of the pool girls. Everyone needs to feel good about themselves and their tails. 

(I’m NOT talking about for hire or private events by the way. I am talking about fairs, festivals, public gatherings and the like.)

For example if your having a "open swim" or volunteer pod gathering at a local festival - it seems discriminatory to me if you hang a sign that says "No Silicon Tails Allowed." I have heard the argument that "it's not fair" to the women wearing lycra tails.... but, how is this "fair" it to the women who wants to participate in a silicon tail???? So are they supposed to sit at the back of the festival??? and yes, I am being dramatic here, I am trying to illustrate that mermaids are discriminating against their Mer-sisters and women's dreams are being crushed and I am not sure if anyone is even realizing it! I am just encouraging everyone to pause and think!

Discrimination is discrimination.

Let’s be honest mermaid tails are just like the people that are wearing them: they come in all different sizes, shapes, colors, ages and price points. It doesn’t seem fair that ANYONE should be discriminated against because of the kind of tail they have or how much it cost.

Being an owner of several different kinds of tails, mostly all designed and handcrafted by myself, with the exception of one professional silicon tail, I can attest that there is no perfect tail for every situation or event anyway. And although, they are all different they are all equally beautiful and “real”. I would hate for others to dictate which tail I should wear at which event and to exclude me if my tail didn’t match. I am blessed having tail choices.... but, what about the girls that only have one tail hanging in the closet... what if they can't pick and choose what tail they can wear to what event just to FIT IN???

I see the mermaid tail as a tool that can really unite women in a common interest, allowing women to embrace their beauty, and be empowered. NO ONE should be judged on the shoes they wear nor the tail they swim in. Mermaids should be loved and accepted and invited to play regardless of their tail. It is such a small community, we should really do everything WE can to make sure it’s a welcoming and fun place to be creative and expressive.

As a community we need to look at our actions and think about what they are saying..... Are we saying: "Come swim with us?" "You are welcomed?" "You are beautiful?" "Your not your tail?" "Your accepted - no matter what tail you swim in?"

The tail does not make the Mermaid! 

Be proud of the tail your swimming in and remember to be inclusive and empower each other! 

Thanks for reading!