Weeki Wachee mermaids - a living legend

On 17 November 1989 Walt Disney presented the world with Ariel, the Little Mermaid. Since that day the idea of having a fish tail sparkling in the sun, red hair waving in the water and a friend Florka has kept millions of girls in Europe and overseas awake at night. Few knew that mermaids existed even before Disney and have survived to this day. They can be seen at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in Florida.

Their first performance took place already in 1947, back then still without the legendary tails – only fins and a swimming costume. The owner of the show, at the very beginning of its existence, did not pay his performers in currency – the only payment was “board and lodging”, the possibility of training with the use of company equipment and the fame of a mermaid on a permanent basis.

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The girls performed tricks requiring a high level of ‘survival’ skills underwater. Elements of classical dance, “underwater acrobatics” and even such showpieces as eating grapes underwater or drinking fizzy drinks.

The show was a regular local attraction until 1959, when it was bought out by the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). From then on, the performers were paid a normal salary for their performances, of which there were more and more – up to ten a day!

As popularity grew in the 1960s, more and more girls applied for the job of professional Ariel – applications were reportedly received even from as far away as Tokyo. Female performers delighted the public with underwater picnics or ball games. Thanks to their new owner – ABC – they could also count on immortalising their performances on film.

The Weeki Wachee Mermaids from 1971 onwards unfortunately had to cede part of their audience to the newly created Walt Disney World park in nearby Orlando. Nevertheless, the performances have stood the test of time and can still be seen today.

After decades in the business, the artists have decided to reveal a little bit about their preparation for their performances – Weeki Wachee hosts weekend training sessions for those interested in the “mermaid art”. Those willing can learn from the underwater stars, practice choreography with them and try on the legendary tails.

Source: smithsonian.com, Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Flickr