Dimensions Weekly Mens Lifestyle Magazine

Mermaids really do exist. So say a new wave of believers who swear they've seen the fabled fish in the flesh.

In the town of Kirvat Yam, Israel, where dozens of people have reported mermaid sightings, a $1 million reward is on the line for anyone who can prove by photo or capture that mermaids do exist, reports The Daily News.

"Many people are telling us they are sure they've seen a mermaid and they are all independent of each other," Many of the sightings have taken place at sunset, attracting crowds of tourists and locals alike, hoping to snap a picture of the mythological creature.

Dimensions Weekly in fact caught up with one named Linden Wolbert. While in Las Vegas, DW had a chance to speak with Linden a give you her exclusive interview.

DW: What gave you the idea to become a mermaid?

Linden: The first time I saw a “real” mermaid was, like many children of the 80’s, Darryl Hannah in the film Splash. I thought it was the most magical thing. As kids, we’d pretend to be mermaids in the pool by swimming with a dolphin-style kick.

My Mom had told me about the mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs, who she saw on a road trip as a child driving through Florida. I was obsessed with The Little Mermaid, as you can imagine! Then the first time I realized I could be a mermaid myself was when I met Thom Shouse, one of the Hollywood special effects artists responsible for Darryl Hannah’s tail.

He has created beautiful mermaid tails for more than 25 years. I modeled in a couple of his tails for jobs, and realized I truly wanted nothing more than to become a full-time mermaid and design my own tail. After meeting my friend Allan Holt, a special effects artist who has worked on a number of big budget Hollywood films, we began the 7-month grueling process of creating my custom mermaid tail from a cast of my body.

It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. We faced so many challenges, but the result is an incredibly functional, aesthetically pleasing tail that looks....well....REAL! Now I have the ability to open eyes, ears and hearts...specifically of children...to the wonders of the ocean realm and how to conserve it. I wanted to be in the water as much as possible....and to help spread the word about ocean preservation through a unique vessel...that of a mythical and beloved creature!

DW: Since Mermaids are an endangered species, are there other mermaids you know?

Linden: There are lots of mermaids and mermaid enthusiasts around the world, both mythical and real! So many cultures celebrate mermaids in beautiful and unique ways. Clearly there are little girls and boys all over the globe who love mermaids just as much as adults. Since it’s such a small niche, I think we all know one another, or have at least heard of each other!

To name a few, there are the famous Weeki Wachee mermaids and MeduSirena in Florida, Thom the Tailman in California, Hannah Mermaid of Australia, Malena Sharkey who is a Mermaid and SCUBA diver from the east coast, Eric DuCharme the Mertailor...the list goes on! I think this tiny community is made up of some incredibly passionate people who followed their dreams and didn’t let anything else get in their way. It’s a tough job to make people smile all the time, but somebody’s got to do it!

DW: In doing our research we found mermaids do not have gills, how long can you stay underwater without needing air?

Linden: Right now, my personal best in breath hold is around 4 and a half minutes. This is only possible through the training and safety protocol I learned from professional freedivers and coaches. I have been fortunate to work and train with some incredible world champions who make safety paramount in their practices. I have to say it to whoever is reading this: NEVER try breath hold alone or without proper training! There are a handful of agencies out there like F.I.I and P.F.I. who travel around and teach people the art of freediving from beginner level and up.

DW: When not being a Mermaid, what other passions do you have?

Linden: I enjoy lots of different things! Clearly I love SCUBA diving, but spend a lot of time playing piano and listening to all sorts of music. I am learning to play the harp, too...isn’t that what mermaids do after they brush their hair? I love underwater cinematography and wildlife filmmaking as an outlet to educate and inspire people.

I love observing animals and insects in their natural habitats and photographing or filming them. Along that vein, I became a film camera technician for 16mm and super 16mm cameras back in college. I really enjoy dissecting mechanical things and working out what makes them tick! I really can’t get enough of travel and meeting new people. Above all else, I’m very passionate about spreading the word to children about conserving the ocean. If I can inspire kids the way I was as a child by other ocean dwellers, I’ll be one happy Mermaid!

-DW

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