Here there be Mermaids

Ahoy! Avast ye maties! Arrrrr! Me'n'these here scurvy scallywags drug our sorry keesters out t'th'ship'n'had us a grand great adventuaaarrr! Arrrrr! Me'n'th' crew seen a great grand sea beastie, th' mother of all whales, aye! Shiver me timbers, there be mermaids at Coney Island.

Such was the scene at Coney Island yesterday after our open water group training session. And no, it was not international "Talk like a pirate day" (that's Sept. 19), but rather the 25th annual Coney Island Mermaid parade. A day for sailors, pirates and of course mermaids to go out and strut their stuff.

After a morning of swimming and running, a little down time on the beach, a visit to Nathan's for their hot dogs and crinkle fries, and mermaids parading down the street is a perfect way to spend a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Besides the mermaids, sailors and pirates, there was everything from the Seapranos, Charlies Angelfish and the Four Seahorses of the Apocalypse. A few pictures from the parade below.