Mermaid Tails Prohibited From DCC Aquatic Facilities

Dunedin (Monday, 2 February January 2016) – Due to safety concerns the Dunedin City Council is prohibiting the use of all mermaid tails from its aquatic facilities.

Recreation Planning and Facilities Manager, Jendi Paterson says the DCC is taking a proactive approach to ban the mermaid tails because they pose a danger to pool users while in the water.

“The mermaid tails are put over both legs and mimic the body shape of a mermaid. The swimmer uses the tail to try move through the water, but both legs being encapsulated in the tail stops the swimmer from being able to use each leg freely. This limits their ability to swim, move in the water easily and put their feet down,” says Ms Paterson.

The tails also encourage swimmers to stay longer under the water without air, which could lead to dangerous situations.

“We do not want our pool users to be injured or have a negative experience, which could impact their confidence in the water,” says Ms Paterson.

The DCC is not the first council to ban the devices – Auckland Council has already banned them and they are prohibited in other parts of the world.

“There are a number of devices our customers can use in the water safely and for extra fun – however the mermaid tail is not one of them. We want to encourage our swimmers to enjoy our aquatic facilities in a safe way,” says Ms Paterson.

ENDS

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