WOMAN LIVES LIKE MERMAID (Sept. 2, 2009)
NORTH SAANICH, British Columbia (Wireless Flash) -- A woman in Canada is living the splashy life -- of a mermaid. Renate Herberger, known as the "Costa Rica Mermaid," has pledged to devote her life to the ocean, taking part in 500- mile swims in various countries in order to spread awareness on environmental issues.
Herberger has taken to her "mermaid" role so well that she feels more at home underwater than on land, and admits she cried for a week after her last swim because she missed being in the water so much.
She says, "This is my home. I surrendered myself to the ocean. I am her child, her mermaid."
To ensure the waters and its inhabitants treat her well on her swims, Herberger speaks to them.
She explains, "I talk to the currents and ask to be part of the mythical, magical ocean, and somehow it works. I ask the jellyfish to give me space because they hurt."
53-YEAR-OLD SWIMS WITH THE FISHES (Sept. 2, 2009)
NORTH SAANICH, B.C. (Wireless Flash) -- A 53-year-old Canadian woman is swimming the seas, and avoiding jellyfish at all costs.
On January 17, Renate Herberger will be spreading awareness for ocean protection by swimming from Punta Burica, Panama, to Bahia Salinas, Nicaragua, a distance of 621 miles.
Herberger isn't worried about cold temperatures, fatigue, or even sharks during her swim. She admits, "The real risk is jellyfish. I meet them everyday when I swim. When they sting it hurts like hell." Dressed in an old dance leotard, Herberger swims what she calls "ferocious currents," but assures that getting into the water feels like she's "gone to heaven." And she won't get bored while stroking away at the waves.
She explains, "I'll go into a dream space, send prayers, and send love and healing to the sea and to people." Herberger admits that she would "love to learn how to telepathically communicate with whales" so she can have company on her swims.
