We live in a crazy age where innovation is everywhere –so much so that no taste, want, or passion ever has to go without. Whatever it is, someone out there is likely thinking about it and building a prototype.

So if you were ever sat on your sofa thinking to yourself how cool it would be to get your little lady a mermaid tail (… I know, I know), you better move on to something else. It’s been done.

Yep! Now you can sit poolside with your very own little Ariel - you gotta give it to the makers! Who would have thought that you can actually use mermaid tails as a pool toy? Yes, it’s apparently incredibly popular among ‘cosplay’ enthusiasts and girls all over the world. Yet not only does it allow them to feel like real mermaids, it’s also purported to propel them to move faster in water.

Using a mermaid tail is not as easy as putting it on and jumping, err, dragging yourself into the pool. So if you’re hovering over the buy-it-now button, check out the safety rules first.

Before using a mermaid tail, you must be able to master the following skills:

• Back float for 30 seconds - this is to help you learn how to relax in water when you get tired
• Roll from front float to back float - you should be able to maintain control and feel comfortable in the water.
• Swim 25 metres and breathe unassisted while swimming.
• Dolphin kick on front five kicks, breathe and repeat. Dolphin kick on back 5 kicks - this is the most important movement that you’ll be making when in your mermaid tail.

To enjoy your mermaid tail on a sunny day at the pool:

• Children who don’t know how to swim underwater by themselves cannot swim with a mermaid tail. The mermaid tail is designed for experienced swimmers.
• Only swim in water that is familiar to you. If you can’t swim in it with your two legs, then you don’t want to swim on it with your mermaid tail.
• Don’t take your mermaid tail to busy public pools as this can hurt anyone that gets hit by it.

Yet, suprisingly, using a mermaid tail isn’t as scary as it sounds. There’s even mermaid schools (pun!) made especially for them. It’s even something you can do together with your child. Suck in that gut mumma!

On a serious note, mermaid tales are not just for cosplay fun but also for fitness. This trend doesn’t seem like it’s going away soon so seemingly it’s only a matter of time before it makes here to the UK. Get ready people!