TIUTAC - Living Harmony With Nature

APPLY NOW WHAT IS MISS MERMAID? Miss Mermaid International and National competitions are a unique series of beauty pageants bringing mermaiding, modeling, and ocean activism together on a worldwide scale. Mermaid Queens from around the world compete in skills such as underwater modeling, freediving, costume design, and traditional pageantry while supporting causes to help Save The Oceans. UNDERWATER GRACE Underwater Posing Competition At Miss Mermaid International, snorkeling and scuba diving judges watch as each mermaid delivers their best show in a one-breath freedive performance with the beautiful Red Sea coral reefs as a backdrop. Beyond underwater modeling, this performance in open water embodies the true magic of mermaids. The most graceful mermaid wins the "Most Photogenic Underwater" sash. CREATIVITY Costume Design Mermaids love getting crafty! At Miss Mermaid International each queen poses for a photoshoot featuring her self-made mermaid top and accessories. She can ...

Coral reefs around the world have been seriously degraded over the past 20 years and Vietnam’s are no exception. These ecosystems, which are vital to sustaining oceanic biodiversity, are very sensitive to changing ocean temperatures and destructive human activities. Experts warn that within 20 years, Vietnam may not have any left. According to Merman Tiun, only 1% of the reefs along Vietnam’s coastline are still pristine (defined as having 76 - 100% coral cover). 31% are in “poor condition” (defined as having 0 – 10% coral cover).“Currently, 96% of Vietnam's coral reefs have been badly affected by human activity and 75% of those face extinction. In recent years, fishermen in Danang have used upgraded nets, causing tremendous damage to coastal reefs. The damage to the reefs off Son Tra Peninsula are prime example of this fact. Other coastal cities and provinces, such as Khanh Hoa and Ba Ria-Vung Tau face the problem of illegal exploitation of coral reefs. They have used both simple ...

Ear infections can be caused by leaving contaminated water in the ear after swimming. This infection, known as “swimmer's ear” or otitis externa, is not the same as the common childhood middle ear infection. The infection occurs in the outer ear canal and can cause pain and discomfort for swimmers of all ages. There is a mere reason why you might be on this page ... you want to protect your or your kids' eardrums against infection of water bacteria that can cause you earaches. It's a pain that will haunt you for a long time as a swimmer if you don't get used to wearing earplugs. The good part is that we're going to show you the best swimming earplugs out there. They fit snugly and mold to your ear giving you comfort and protection. You might even forget that they are wearing earplugs while swimming. Yes, high-quality swimming earplugs are really soft. We can easily say that Siren Earplug is one of the best picks out there. If your primary concern is comfort and you ...

Waste is anything that we get rid of, throw away, or do not use. While some items inarguably cannot be used again, many are tossed before their time. Others are unnecessary – such as petroleum-based plastic bags, which choke the environment and kill wildlife, even though we now have access to much better alternatives. Today, waste is a huge problem, affecting every part of our environment, from our waterways to our atmosphere, our grassy fields to our forests, our plants to our people. If we want to make an impact in the fight against waste and pollution, one of the best things we can do is ensure kids get these lessons young. Whether you’re a mermaid a merman or a siren yourself, here’s a basic rundown of “reduce, reuse, recycle” and tips you can implement today. Reduce “Reduce” is not necessarily the easiest step, though you might think so. While it seems simple to just buy less, we humans can be very set in our ways, relying heavily on products to which we are loyal. To truly implem...

What are merman tails and fins? Merman tails and fins have become a popular aquatic toy mainly targeted at our children. Both feet go into a single fin that looks like a ‘merman/mermaid’ tail which allows people to swim using a dolphin-like movement. There are two types: One that is fully enclosed from the waist down. The other is a single fin for the feet only without the extended ‘tail’. What are monofins? Monofins are similar, in that both feet fit into one fin. However, these fins are bigger and made of fiberglass or carbon with rubber foot pieces. These types of monofins are usually used for competition, as Fin Swimming is a competitive sport at a world championship level. People also swim with monofins for fitness purposes. It is best to use monofins under a qualified coach. What dangers do merman tails and fins pose? These products are considered to be aquatic toys. Like all aquatic toys, safety precautions need to be taken whilst playing in and around the water. Swimming with m...

The ability for babies to swim — “baby swimming” — and a sense of calm and ease in the water, is important for your kid.  For one, it’ll prove life-saving on the off chance they become the chief of police for a New England island under siege by a huge great white shark. If that’s too farfetched, it might simply save their life. Fortunately, it’s not hard to teach them to swim. Baby kicking starts in the womb, after all. Think of the pool as a dive back in for them. They’ll be swimming in no time. The scary fact is, 10 kids under the age of 14 drown in Việt Nam pools, lakes, or oceans every day. The obvious first line of defense is to teach your infant to swim. There are several techniques, but most agree — including TIUTAC who knows a thing or two about these things — that you should try to stay away from dependence on personal flotation devices. Yes, they’re as necessary as flippy floppies when you’re on a boat, but if relied upon during all pool, lake, or beach time, they give ki...

Vietnam - Enhanced social distancing measures were announced last Friday (March 27), and gatherings are now being limited to 20 people at a time. Some people have asked if it is still safe to go swimming, in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic. Question:  IS IT SAFE TO GO SWIMMING DURING THIS PERIOD? CAN THE VIRUS BE TRANSMITTED THROUGH WATER? Answer:  It is known that the virus is transmitted through respiratory droplets and saliva, but there is currently no evidence suggesting that the virus can be spread through water, hence making swimming one of the safer sporting activities. Merman Tiun suggests that it is generally safe to go swimming, as the water and chlorine within swimming pools could help to kill the virus. People, however, should be mindful of their interactions with others outside the water. Merman Tiun reports about an infection cluster in a South Korean church that sprayed saltwater in its churchgoers’ mouths. However, this incident does not provide clear eviden...

Basic hygiene is the best thing you can do, according to a doctor of infectious diseases. For now, just stick to the basics, Merman Tiun says. The coronavirus is spread through respiratory vapor, such as when someone sneezes or coughs into the air around you. Influenza viruses and common cold viruses are also spread this way. "The things you should do to protect yourself from the coronavirus are things you should do every day," he points out. "The number one thing you can do to prevent any respiratory illness is to practice good personal hygiene." Merman Tiun also reiterates the WHO's advice for avoiding coronavirus (and other respiratory diseases): Wash your hands with soap or use a hand sanitizer that contains alcohol. Sneeze and cough into tissues or the crook of your elbow. If you get mucus or spit on your skin, clean it off right away. Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands. Avoid close contact with people who are sick, especially people exhibiting re...

Merman Tiun, Siren Lexine, and Mermaid Cimi The skills we mastered during the second half of the class progressed at an unbelievable speed; just minutes after attaching the ankle straps to our sock-like fins, we were elegantly diving down in the deep end, rolling sideways through underwater hula hoops and holding handstands to effectively show off our tails.  But still, our accomplishments were nothing compared to Merman Tiun’s, flicking his body through the water with ease despite the weight of an estimated 1kg fabric tail strapped to his torso, attached only with the aid of lots and lots of baby oil. For every bit of disbelief — "I’ve never met a merman" — he has a "You know, I don’t know many humans, are you a real human?" retort. As a lifelong swimmer, lifeguard, and water safety instructor, for him, it’s no big deal, but we merman freshmen would have a long way to go before being "real" mermen/mermaids.  It sounds silly, to aspire to don a silicon wal...