Evelien Peeters aka Mermaid Evi
As a child, Evi used to have a dreamy far-off look and her nose always stuck in a book. Not only did she love reading stories, but she also wanted to be part of them. Ever since she was 8, she played in a local musical and theatre group. Even today, she still enjoys singing in a pop-choir. Although reading is travelling for the mind, Evi still wanted to experience real-life adventures. When she turned 18, she volunteered in the slums of Lima, Peru. This inspired her to become a social worker. During college Evi started swimming again and signed up for monofin classes. Now she works as a part-time social worker and mermaid.
The start of her underwater journey
Freediving
Evi’s underwater journey started back in 2014 when she joined a finswimming club. Once Evi learned the dolphin kick, she wanted to explore the depths of the ocean. Freediving became her passion. She then became a member of AIDA International Flanders. For two years she trained weekly in Zottegem where she learned to hold her breath for 3 and a half minutes and dive 25 meters deep. Evi is a level 3 freediver.
Underwater performer
In October 2016, Evi got hired by a diving centre called ‘TODI’ to perform in their opening ceremony. Together with 4 other aspiring mermaids, they created a synchronized dance. She then had the chance to start learning on whilst working: how to be a professional mermaid and perform in underwater shows. Evi then became a resident mermaid in TODI and co-founded the “Mermates pod”. On the third Sunday of each month you can watch them perform in the aquarium.
Mermaid instructor
Mermaiding brings so much joy in her life that she wants to spread the magic. Not only by performing as a mermaid but learning others how swim in a mermaid tail. In March 2018 the first mermaid school for kids opened in collaboration with Sportoase. They own 17 swimming pools all over Belgium. Since then Evi has trained hundreds of little guppies how to swim with a mermaid tail.
WMC: Miss Coral 2019
In 2019 Evi participated in the World Mermaid Championship in China. She and her sister Naomi both represented Belgium and got crowned as Miss Coral. Evi is an ambassador of the ocean and promotes reef safe suncreen.
During this international competition, Evi learned about the SSI mermaid program. That’s how she became an SSI mermaid instructor.