A Florida woman has been banned from swimming in her community's pool because she wants to wear a mermaid tail.
Jenna Conti, also known as Eden Sirene, lives in the FishHawk Ranch subdivision. She had been in the Aquatic Club pool with her custom-made tail once before with the staff's approval. But last week, employees told her it violated a policy against swim fins. On Monday night, the FishHawk Community Development board voted to keep her out of the pool because of the swim fin policy.
The Tampa Bay Times reports that Conti's dream is to swim at the Florida Aquarium, which features mermaid performers.
The full-time hair stylist hasn't been a mermaid for very long. She and her 10-year-old son saw the mermaids at the Tampa Bay Renaissance Fair earlier this year, and she says she was "enthralled."
After battling a brain tumor seven years ago, Conti lost the use of her legs and had to relearn how to walk, so watching the mermaids inspired her to do more of the things she wants to do, the report said.
The community board suggested booking special events or applying to become a vendor, according to the Times.
Conti said she is considering becoming a vendor or finding another place to swim. She said she would charge a fee for private parties but won't charge families to swim in public pools with her, the report said.
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"To just swim with the kids, it's supposed to be for everybody," she told the Times.
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