WEEKI WACHEE, Fla. -- Eight women from all across the country came to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park this weekend for their chance to become a world famous mermaid.
- Eight women try for chance to become Weeki Wachee mermaid
- Some traveled from as far away as Washington State
- Each participant was paired up with a Legendary Siren
It was all part of the Sirens of the Deep Mermaid Camp.
Nancy Flynn has wanted to come back to Weeki Wachee to be a mermaid after seeing them when she was young.
"I remember visiting when I was a kid and dad taking me to snorkel as close as we could to seeing the mermaids and it was just magical," Flynn said.
She lives in South Dakota, but spends the winters in Venice, and finally was able to make the trip back to Weeki Wachee.
Flynn said the moment she first got in the water is one she'll never forget.
"I did it I got here! I've been trying for two or three years and I don't have any girlfriends that appreciate this," she said.
Each participant teams up with one of the Legendary Sirens, former Weeki Wachee mermaids who still perform today, to learn all the moves.
It's been a lifelong dream to do this for many of the other participants too. Some traveled to Florida just from as far away as Washington State and Chicago just for this camp..
"I have always wanted to be a mermaid. I swam before I walked," Katherine Donovan said.
She flew in from Chicago for the camp.
Flynn said swimming with the tail definitely took some getting used to.
"What was going through my head is I can't do it right the first time and reminding myself it just takes practice," Flynn said.
But she said her determination to keep trying is why receiving her certificate of completion was so special.
"Finally having the courage to follow through with a dream," she said.
And the sirens say these moments are what the camp is all about.
The dates for the rest of this year are full but they start taking reservations for 2020 in the beginning of the year.