By Olivia Miwil - August 20, 2023 @ 10:31am
KOTA KINABALU: The inaugural Asia Dive Expo (Adex) here has not only showcased the vibrant world of diving but also highlighted the great potential of the mermaiding industry in Sabah.
Held at the Sabah International Convention Centre since Friday, the three-day event has brought together enthusiasts, professionals, and curious visitors, offering a captivating glimpse into the art and business opportunities of mermaiding.
Mermaid Federation International (MFI) founding director Alan Y.T Lam said their professional mermaiding courses began a few years before the Covid-19 pandemic.
"MFI has been travelling around the world to promote mermaiding. We came to Malaysia for the first time in 2018 for the dive expo in Kuala Lumpur, and this time we are in Kota Kinabalu.
"Mermaiding presents a promising business opportunity with substantial return on investment. In other countries, for instance, restaurants (or other business entities) with large aquariums now allocate funds for 'mermaids' to perform, rather than fishes.
"Being a mermaid is also akin to becoming an ocean ambassador, conveying conservation messages to the public. This aligns with our motto, 'heart in the ocean'," he stated while at the expo.
Lam added that MFI has trained approximately 100,000 students and produced around 1,000 professional mermaids since its inception in 2015.
Tam added that becoming a certified mermaiding instructor would require around RM5,000, yet the returns from offering courses would be manifold in the long run.
He said that in China and Hong Kong, the popularity of the activity has surged considerably, to the point that it has become a national competition.
Sabah is the venue for the country's first international mermaid competition, attracting participants from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and South Korea.
Scuba Schools International area manager for Malaysia Vincent Lai, who is also co-organiser for the competition, said the activity would raise public awareness about mermaiding courses provided by registered agencies in Sabah.
He added that Sabah's many beautiful islands should not be limited solely to scuba diving but also include mermaiding.
Angelia Thien Hedger, founder of the Malaysian Mermaid Club, echoed Lai's sentiments based on feedback from participants during the first International Mermaid Festival in Semporna from Aug 16 to 18.
"There were 20 mermaids from South Korea and nine from Malaysia who went mermaiding in the waters off Mataking, Timpa-Timpa, and Pandanan islands.
"The South Koreans enjoyed it, as some of them had never experienced it in a natural sea environment," she said., adding her club supported the festival organised by K Mermaid in Korea.
Hedger, who is an instructor, said mermaiding is a sport suitable for all and is typically conducted in swimming pools.
"Mermaiding is a 'friendly' sport that promotes good health and lung function. I even have a student whose back pain improved after following her doctor's recommendation to engage in water activities," she said, adding her students' ages range from three to 56.
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