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FINDING YOURSELF MER-MYSTIFIED?

HERE ARE WAYS TO DIP YOUR FIN INTO THE WATER.

GOODS & MERMAIDING SWIM LESSONS

Behind a blue door on Bristol’s State Street discover a treasure trove in this gallery, shop, studio and Center for Oceans Watch, an international non-profit dedicated to conservation and sustainability. Owner Bonnie Blue is a sculptor, artist, author, and certified swim instructor so along with selling artwork and books, you can enroll in Mermaid/Merboy lessons in a swimming pool with a photo shoot. HealingDolphins.com

VISITS & PARTIES

If you’re looking to make a splash at your next event in water or on land, Alyssa Wick’s mermaids and sirens are available to make the scene, o ering performances that include sing-a-longs, charades, bubble wishes, and more. TheRhodeIslandMermaid.com

MEETUPS

Feeling mer-curious? Take part in an Ocean State Merfolk Meetup led by Erin Walsh, where like-minded merfolk are encouraged to join the pod and swim (often at the Smithfield YMCA). Please note this is an adults-only cosplay group. OceanStateMerfolk.com

MAKEOVERS & ART MAKING

Ever dream of swapping your legs for a shimmering tale? Jessie Jewels can work her magic and turn humans of all ages into mermaids, sirens, or selkies. And to prove it all happened, there’s a photoshoot on the beach. JessieJewelsArt.com

Handmade Accessories

From her Bristol studio, Melonie Massa handcrafts stunning sailor’s valentines, wine stoppers, jewelry, and more all fashioned from “an ocean of treasures” for her Mermaid’s Baubles brand. Pieces are available at Harbor View Artisans, Wickford; Hotpoint Emporium, Bristol; and similar art co-ops.

Knitting Shop

A short walk from Wickford harbor, The Mermaid’s Purl is the perfect place for spinning a yarn. Owned by Lizzie Shriner, who says, “I’ve always considered myself part mermaid,” the shop is a destination for knitters, stocked with skeins bearing names like Siren Song, along with Mermaid Mitt Kits, and more. Merch bearing their lovely mermaid logo includes a custom stitch marker by local maker Katrinkles, a pin, apparel, tote bag, and more. TheMermaidsPurl.com

BEACH FOOD

Tucked behind Alfie’s Surf Shop on Westerly’s Atlantic Avenue is Little Mermaid’s. The name implies that it could be owned by Ariel herself but whoever is manning the grill keeps beachgoers happy and full with solid breakfast and lunch diner classics that you can sink a dinglehopper into. Did we mention ice cream? Instagram: @LittleMermaidsRI

NOVELTIES

Cast a glow with a Mermaid Tail Glitter Lamp, be styling with a Flip Sequin Mermaid Tale Drawstring Backpack, or keep cozy with a Mermaid Tale Wearable Blanket. All this can be yours from Rhode Island Novelty, a seller of toys and gifts since 1986. RINovelty.com

JEWELRY

Nearly all Rhody-based jewelry sellers have pieces that harken the sea, like the Sea Life Station Necklace by RS Pure, a subsidiary of Ross-Simons, sure to add allure with its small charms on 14kt yellow gold (RSPure.com), and the Iconic Mermaid necklace at Pink Pineapple at 380 Thames Street in Newport (PinkPineappleShop.com).

SWEETS

Along with other sweet treats, Chocolate Delicacy in Warwick makes beautiful molded Mermaid Pops for sale in both milk and dark chocolate, and Sweenor’s Chocolates (Wakefield, Wickford) sells seashells and starfish. ChocolateDelicacy.com; SweenorsChocolates.com

LIBATIONS

Toast King Triton on Block Island with a glass of Tipsy Mermaid Red Sangria at Poor People’s Pub. A colorful mix of organic red wine, açai berry, and orange juice with a splash of soda is perfect for landlubbers.

“Mermaids embody the spirit you feel when you are underwater watching the rays of sunshine through the surface,” says Jessie Jewels of Warwick, a Save the Bay beach captain, full-time mermaid, underwater model, and artist. Additionally, Jewels represents the state in pageants, and since 2021 has held the title of Miss Mermaid Rhode Island. “My platform is working with Save the Bay to help make our bay clean and accessible for all,” says Jewels, who founded her own charity last year, Save the Bay – Save the Mermaids, where a portion of proceeds from her mermaid-themed art and events go directly to the nonprofit dedicated to cleaning up and improving Narragansett Bay.

Meet Elizabeth Beisel

Rhody’s own Olympic medalist just keeps swimming – and is on a mission to empower kids do the same

After competing in three Olympic games and earning two medals for swimming, you’ve traveled the nation conducting swim clinics, raised many thousands of dollars for cancer by swimming from South Kingstown to Block Island (the first woman to do so, no wetsuit allowed), and now you have co-founded Emerge Youth Camps, a program that emphasizes overall wellness through a combination of safety training, physical activities, digital disconnection, and rewilding in natural environments. Can you trace the roots of your ongoing advocacy to any moment in particular?

Swimming changed my life and gave me opportunities that I could only dream of, including a platform to promote water safety and accessibility to everyone, regardless of race, economic background, or location. Losing my dad to cancer woke me up to the reality of how hard it is to fund cancer research, so being able to advocate for that has been one of the most cathartic ways for me to cope with the loss of my dad. Emerge Camps is a blend of those skills and experiences, and I hope to teach critical life lessons and tools to our youth and encourage them to take those lessons with them as they walk through life.

In a statement about Emerge Camps, it mentions creating “an opportunity for youth to disconnect digitally.” Social media has become so complicated, especially for young people. What are your thoughts on usage?

I’ve worked with kids throughout the country over the last few years, and I’ve seen how detrimental social media can be to their well-being. It can create an environment for cyberbullying to thrive, it often promotes unrealistic beauty standards, thus creating body image issues, it can interfere with a child’s ability to learn time management by consuming all of their free time, and use before bed has led to inadequate rest and sleeping disorders. It often portrays a filtered and exaggerated version of reality, causing a distorted perception, and excessive use has been linked to increasing rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

Do you still live in Rhode Island, and if so, what are some of your favorite places?

I live in Newport with my fiancè Jack. Our favorite spots in Newport are Corner Cafè for brunch, The Nitro Bar and Simple Merchant for coffee, and Perro Salado for the best Mexican food on the island. Shayna’s Place and Alma in Wickford are personal favorites on the mainland to eat and grab a coffee. Favorite spots to visit are Brenton Point, Beavertail, and of course Narragansett Town Beach, where I lifeguarded in the summers.

Where are your favorite places – indoors or out – to swim in Rhode Island?

My favorite pools to swim in Rhode Island are Brown University and Roger Williams University. Best places to swim in open water are Narragansett Town Beach, Second Beach in Newport, and Mackerel Cove in Jamestown.

BEISEL FAST FACTS

3 x Team USA Olympian

2 x Olympic Medalist Block Cancer Founder

First Woman To Swim To Block Island Team USA Team Captain USA Swimming Foundation Ambassador World Champion