A BASINGSTOKE woman who ditched her job as a funeral director to become a full-time mermaid is looking to make a splash when she represents Hampshire in a national competition.
Jasmine Seales, gave up her job arranging funerals to pursue a life underwater and claims she earns up to £100 an hour.
The 28-year-old, who has fibromyalgia, discovered the unique sport when she was at Bestival on the Isle of Wight one year and became completed transfixed on it.
“There was a girl there doing displays and it just looked really interesting,” said the Brighton Hill resident.
“I got speaking to her and I thought why not give it a go. It has been a life changing decision.”
When Jasmine decided to take the plunge and become a professional mermaid, she had to go through rigorous training at camp to learn to control her breathing under water.
She explained: “I train once or twice a week and just being in the water in general really helps my body in check.
“When training, you have to learn how to control your breathing and your heart rate to be able to perform under water for prolonged periods of time.
“At first it feels pretty unnatural, but the more you do it you become used to it.”
Jasmine will be putting her skills to good use at a pageant style event this weekend to see who will become crowned Miss Mermaid UK.
The event will be raising money and awareness of the organisation Sea Shepard UK.
The Basingstoke woman said that the mermaiding – which is recognised as an extreme sport – is starting to gain more popularity in the UK.
She said: “It has been a pretty popular thing in the states for a number of years but has only really been picking up here in the last year or so.
“It has just been so much fun and it’s a really creative thing to do.”
Along with competing in competitions, Jasmine also appeared at children’s parties and other events and uses these as an opportunity to raise awareness of Sea Shepard.
The organisation carry out marine conservation around the world.
“They are like good pirates,” she joked.
“They are a massive conservation organisation and I can help them in any way that I can.”
If Jasmine wins the Miss Mermaid UK event, she will fly out to Egypt to compete in the international finals.
To support Jasmine in her quest, visit her GoFund Me page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/wr8m5-marine-conservation.
Jasmine's top mermaid advice
1. Beauty comes from within 💕
2. Sea treasure in simple things ✨
3. Share life’s joyful song 🌊
4. Make a wish upon a star fish
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