Mermaids compete in Warsaw's deepest swimming pool

Warsaw’s Mermaid Polska Deepspot Cup turns mermaiding into sport and art, with acrobatics, races and growing popularity among women and children.

Competitors in colourful mermaid tails took to the water in Warsaw for the Mermaid Polska Deepspot Cup, a national contest held in Europe's deepest pool. They performed acrobatics, raced for speed and waited for judges to assess their skills, while spectators watched through a glass tunnel.

For some participants, mermaiding is both a sport and an art form, combining swimming with performance. Judges say the activity is becoming increasingly popular in Poland, particularly among women and children.

But the hobby also has a personal side. One competitor says becoming a mermaid helps her slow down and gives her a way to prove that things once considered impossible can become reality.