Mermaids among us? Yes, and they're bringing joy and wonder to those that see them

Mermaids.

The mythical creatures have existed across the world and appeared in stories for hundreds of years.

They are back in the forefront with Disney’s live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid” and Netflix’s docuseries “MerPeople”.

And here on the Eastern Shore, you can head to Berlin to learn about them at the Mermaid Museum, swim with them at hotels up and down the Shore or even become one yourself.

Tasha Haight, owner and head mermaid of Mermaid Tasha LLC, became a mermaid for the first time in 2009 for a Girl Scout camp and has been a professional one since 2017.

“I used to model and one of the other models that I knew owned a circus company,” she said.

Fire walkers, fire breathers, stilt walkers and aerialists were on the circus roster, and adding mermaids was going to be the next move.

Haight was already a lifeguard, scuba certified and always in the water.

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“I was like, that sounds super fun to me,” she said. "And then she wasn't taking advantage of any of the local opportunities I kept sending her."

Eventually Haight started her own mermaid business to take advantage of those opportunities on the Eastern Shore.

As Mermaid Tasha she can be found swimming at hotel residences and waterparks like Fenwick Shores in Delaware, Frontier Town in Maryland and Maui Jack’s in Virginia each week.

During those events Haight swims and chats with kids excited about meeting their first mermaid.

“The look on kids’ faces when they’ve always believed in mermaids, but they’ve never met one and then they finally see a mermaid. They’re just overjoyed and super happy to see me,” she said.

Just how does one transform into a mermaid?

It is a process for Haight to become the mermaid kids want to see and to get ready to swim in her monofin.

Haight starts with her makeup. She must use a setting spray, so it stays on while in the water.

Once she has her leggings on she then must get inside her custom-made silicone tail. She will use an all-natural leave-in conditioner to help slide in.

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“It takes a while sometimes. I’ve been doing it so long that it’s pretty quick, but at the beginning it can definitely take a while,” she said.

Once inside her tail, Haight can’t walk anymore. She needs help to make it to water.

At an appearance at Fenwick Shores, Emily Holden worked as Haight’s assistant. She helped Haight get to the pool and once there helped with anything Haight couldn’t reach.

Holden has also been working with Haight as a mermaid too, and this is her second summer as one.

'I like working with kids. I love being in the water'

The experience has been fun for Holden. She isn’t a professional swimmer, but she always enjoyed swimming and being in the water.

“Since I’m a teacher, it’s a really great summer job. I love working with kids. I love being in the water. What’s not to like?” Holden said.

During the school year, Holden works in Caroline County as a high school English teacher. She also does pageants and modeling, but being a mermaid combines everything she enjoys doing.

“I think it’s important to hold on to your sense of wonder and to do things that you love and to try new things,” she said.

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Holden is still undecided if she wants to try doing the advanced mermaid training in open water. Whether she does it or not, she likes that Haight provides the opportunities to grow.

“Learning is important to me. It’s not just being a teacher, but also just embracing life,” Holden said.

Haight has nine mermaids on her roster. They join in when they can to perform and work as part-time mermaids.

'It can be challenging, but I feel like Santa'

Marilyn Wagner started working as a mermaid about a year ago and drives down from New Jersey for practice and performances.

“It’s interesting and a lot of fun. It can be challenging but I feel like Santa,” Wagner said.

Being a mermaid for Wagner is a respite and a place to work on her mental health. When she isn’t swimming with a mermaid tail, she dons scrubs as an ICU trauma nurse.

“We go through a lot mentally, but I do love my work,” she said.

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When she first decided she wanted to be a mermaid she was at an aquarium. Seeing the mermaids swim there, she wanted to be one of them.

“I love being underwater, being weightless. If I could live underwater I would,” she said.

Wagner knew she could do it but needed to find out how.

“I saw all the certifications needed and then found Tasha,” she said.

Haight recommends that if someone wants to be a mermaid, they should start off by becoming a strong swimmer.

After that is the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Mermaid Course for the mermaid certifications.

PADI is an internationally recognized dive agency that was founded in 1966. PADI courses range from beginner to advanced recreational diver certification, and several specialized diving skills courses.

As a PADI mermaid instructor Haight said that the courses make sure mermaids know how to swim and dive safely while wearing the tail.

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The basic course teaches how to swim with the tail. After the basics mermaids are taught tricks like backflips, handshaking and bubble tricks.

The advanced courses take it to open waters. In rivers, bays and the ocean, mermaids learn how to apply what they learned in the pool to open water. There is also a focus on rescue and problem management.

Those 12 and older can enroll in the PADI Mermaid Courses.

“I definitely prefer open water,” Haight said. “Pools are okay, but they dry my skin and make my hair break off.”

Being a mermaid isn’t just about looking the part and being able to swim with the tail. Once Haight gets into the water with kids, she plays and talks with them.

At the end of her swim at Fenwick Shores she read her book “Mermaid Tasha and The Whipray” to two young girls.

Haight’s books focus on learning about marine animals and protecting the environment.

Those interested in swimming with mermaids or learning to become one can visit MermaidTasha.com for information on course and events.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Wanna become a mermaid? Yes, it's possible on Eastern Shore