TESTIMONIALS
Our pod is a family, and nothing can say it better that our members themselves.
Found you wonderful people by searching Facebook. I had a blast going to a Wheaton meet and talking with you. It’s been fun. A group of supportive friends who love mer swimming and hanging out.
Ben B.
Kate B.
It was the summer I decided to transfer from the University of Rhode Island to DePaul. I had so many reasons, but I also recognized that I needed mermaiding for my soul and I hadn't done any of it in the two years I'd been in RI. (I somehow didn't even bring my tail the second year. Which. How? And that was the year I actually started going to the school pool a lot, and they definitely would have let me use it smh. But I didn't realize my mistake till like mid second semester.) So I went into the "Chicago???" thread on the Mernetwork about a week before the first pod meetup that ended up being at Wren's friend's pool, asking if anyone was interested in meeting up. Ben let me know about the Pod, and I joined immediately. Went to that first meetup (carpooled with Ben) and found myself very glad I'd chosen to stay in Chicago for the rest of my undergrad. And I have too many good memories with the pod to name! But every moment spent in a tail with podmates is time well-spent.
I was “recruited” by another member [early on]. She knew how much I loved swimming and kept inviting me along until I caved. I’m so glad I did! Choosing a favorite memory is quite hard. Every memory I have with my fellow mers is near and dear to my heart. But I think the one I have to go with is my very first swim. My awkward legs being sausaged into Megan’s tight Mertailer sling skin, after wedging my feet into her Fantasea Fin 1. As soon as that skin was up to my waist and I flopped my fin, a smile broke across my face. I rolled into the water and Megan and Laurie started coaching me through the basics. After mere minutes of holding to the pool’s edge, getting a feel for the rhythm, I turned and torpedoed off, leaving two bewildered (and, I imagine, slightly frightened) mer mentors in my wake. The feel of the water gliding across my skin, the drag of the tail behind me, and the rhythm of the water rocking my body as I glided through it with newfound ease. From that moment on I knew where I belonged. No matter what chaos my life would throw at me, no matter how breathtakingly disarrayed my life would become, I found a home in the water. As a mermaid I’m free, and as a member of the pod I’m loved. We share this mutual bond, forged by a magical feeling, and kept strong by our passion, compassion, and the peace we all find beneath the water’s surface. A merfolk’s tail does not define them - it is their heart that brings the tail to life and transforms us into mermaids and mermen.
Malinda S.
Britsky L.
I was preparing to move from sunny Florida to friend and family less Illinois. I know it sounds bad but it's how I felt. I researched people and groups through the fb groups I follow to try and make the best of it. Someone told me about the Illinois merpod and I figured I could lurk for a while till we got settled. It was Lauretta H's birthday swim at her boss's pool that gave me the courage to try.
I was scared to death and even took my baby even tho all the kids already left. Everyone was super nice! It wasn't until I met up with JoanneM. and Jessy D. at the gym pool in Wisconsin that I started feeling confident and comfortable hanging and becoming a real part of the merpod.Ever since I love finding every opportunity to see you lovelies whenever I get the chance. I'm truly thankful I dont have to be lonely anymore and really happy I moved here.
I was invited by another member! I know all of the founding members of the Pod and like to think I am one of them as well! My favorite memory is all of them! I cherish every time I got to meet up with my podmates and swim, shoot, or have a meal together! This pod is my merfamily! You all mean so much to me, that I can’t even visualize life without you.
I’ve made some of my closest friends in all of my life through this pod and for that I will be eternally grateful!
Melanie S.
Angela M.
The pod was recommended to me by other mers in response to a post I had made looking for fellow Mers. I have not been able to swim with anyone yet as i am very new to the area. The pod means there are others who love mermaiding as much as I do (if that is even possible!). There is strength, love, and support in a pod. A pod represents unity, friends, and family.
Megan B.
I bought mertailors royal angel skin, and Wren M. commented on my photo. We realized how close we lived, but I didn't know about the pod yet. It took my brother, who was learning aquaponics from Lauretta H., to chat it up with her and tell me about the pod. First swim with the pod was for my birthday at Wheaton. Fricking coldest water I swam in and had a blast with the pod that was there. Thank Neptune that Ben B. was there and inspired [my husband] Jeff as well! He bought himself a fantisea 1 fin which shocked the fluke off of me!He has come so far and continues to become more and more at ease, and now ventures into open water. This pod without even trying is so amazing!
My daughter got her first tail during the holidays and had a mermaid class
with Miss Lauretta in February and invited her to join the pod.
Timing is everything, so due to
family members who are high risk she hasn't been able to attend any meet ups yet but really looking forward to when she can. For now she's stuck with a 6' backyard pool/portable dog bath!
Julie G.
Emily E.
I was jealous of the Florida Springs Pod. I'd been in other mermaid groups and the buy/sell tail groups for a few years- so I just started searching for local pods. I actually joined 2 or 3 I think, but the others are very inactive. I think i joined the day after the 1st meet upBre was at. My 1st one was a mini meet up at Centennial Beach in Naperville with Rachel, Laurel, Lindsay, and Alys. The rest is history!
Jessy D.
I found the pod through one of my oldest friends (and boss at the time)Rachael R. I started teaching mermaid lessons at Aquamermaid Chicago; mermaid classes and swimming in a tail was something Rachel and I had talked about ever since we met (10 years prior). So working for her was amazing, and then she recommends I join The IL merpod! Of course I was in!!!I did not have time for meetups right off the bat, but I slowly I started meeting with different podmates for photo shoots and went to meetups when I had time. All the swims we have been able to have are always some of my favorite memories. I can't really pick just one, each meet up whether it's a swim or dry land, is special in its own way.
There is always someone new to meet or people you haven't seen in a while. There are always new things to chat about and someone is showing off their new tail or monofin or some fabuloustreasure they found to match their tail!
Every time is always new & exciting and I love that we keep growing. The more of us there are, the more meet ups and adventures we get to have!!! Ilook forward to everything we will do in the future together. We are an amazing pod and I'm thankful for all of you!
I posted in the mermaid meetups group looking for an Illinois pod. Laurie replied. I was at my first meetup within weeks. I was lucky to join right as the pod was brand new. I think my first swim was only the 2nd or 3rd meetup. It's been a pleasure watching the pod grow and being a part of that growth.
My favorite moments happen at our potlucks when we all spend quality time getting to know each other. The pod means friendship, love, and support for me. I remember telling my mom that my number of good friends just sky rocketed. Now my wedding party is huge! I'm thinking our wedding day will be my new favorite pod memory come summer 2021.
Bre D.
