It sounds like a glamorous job. You get to wear a pretty costume while you swim with fish and wave at all the people tapping on your tank.
But this job isn’t all fun and games. It’s hard work portraying a mythical fairy tale creature. According to Newser, the job is hard work, but it pays quite well. For $250 an hour, young women are dressing up as mermaids and floating around fish tanks. Rachel Smith works at an upscale lounge called Dive Bar, where mermaids professionally frolic.
According to Smith, their tails can weigh up to 35lbs and they must strap an additional 5 to 10lbs between their legs to prevent themselves from floating to the surface. The water allows them to float, but it is still a grueling job. Their legs are tied together, the physical strength required is tough work, there’s salt water in the girls eyes the whole time and fish are everywhere. However, if you can stand the pain and put up with a tiring job, it certainly pays off.
According to the Independent, there are currently 1,000 mermaids employed in the United States. Additionally mermaids aren’t just for children. Linden Wolbert is a model and free diver who calls herself a ‘mermaid to the stars.’ She has worked events for celebrities like Jessica Alba, Justin Timberlake, and Shia LeBeouf, according to the Independent.
Mermaid Linden has a pretty cool job:
So the next time you hear a child say that they want to grow up to be a mermaid, it’s a mythical dream that can actually come true.
[Featured Image Credit: abc 7]