Blairgowrie mermaids wins big at Merlympics
Cathleen Vam Eaden said that freediving and mermaiding are for anyone who loves water and you are never too old to learn a new skill, meet new friends and challenge yourself.
Blairgowrie-based mermaids Cathleen Van Eeden and Janet Rudman shone at the first Mermaid Olympics (Merlympics) event in South Africa. The competition was held in Fourways on March 19.
Eaden came first in the overall competitive events and Rudman took second place.
Eaden said, “I was so surprised to win. I took part for the fun of it but winning was an added bonus. The prizes were so amazing, so I feel really privileged to have taken part in the event.”
Prizes to the value of approximately R50 000 were up for grabs including a mermaid instructor course through the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), a custom-made mermaid tail, a trident, hampers and much more.
Eaden added that she is competitive by nature and she definitely pushed herself as hard as she could.
“At one stage my whole tail slipped off as I was kicking so hard. I love being under the water and feel completely at home in any kind of watery environment; pools, lakes, dams, rivers, oceans.”
Eaden and Rudman won the following activities:
- Sprints 25m – (fastest mermaid) – Cathleen van Eeden
- Obstacle course, swimming through hoops and retrieving objects (fastest mermaid) – Cathleen van Eeden and second fastest Janet Rudman
- Lifesaving (fastest Mermaid) – Janet Rudman
- Catching hoops with a trident (fastest mermaid) -Cathleen van Eeden
Rudman said, “I do love competition, it brings a fun element. Like being a child at a school gala. And getting a medal was a bonus.”
She added that she found the trident race the most challenging.
“It was quite heavy and I think I held it too far back. But it’s all part of the learning curve for next year”
Eaden encouraged more people to support and join the sports.
“Freediving and mermaiding are both becoming more popular. I love that this sport can be for anybody who enjoys being in the water, regardless of age, gender, fitness levels etc just give it a try.”
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