Mary K.  5/14/09

This race is more difficult than the Fremont Mermaid triathlon, but the scenery is worth it. The swim is in the ocean, which seems to freak out some newbie mermaids. If you haven't swam in the ocean before, make sure you attend one or all of the mermaid clinics! The run from the beach to the transition is all stairs - fun fun fun! Then the bike ride is very hilly, and the run is almost all flat - except for a steep hill at the very end.

Organization is awesome, lots of happy volunteers, and loads of happy mermaids. Again, lots of moms and daughters, which is fun to see in a race.

    Jessie Rose B.  5/4/09

This woman's triathlon is definitely a great one for people of all levels of experience. This race is perfect for woman competing in their first triathlon ever but its also great for strong competitors, that are looking to challenge other woman on the course, and yeah, there are some crazy fast people that compete.

I have done this race once before and I loved it. There are tons of people cheering you on through the course and Heidi the race director will crack you up with her commentary as she announces you through the finish line. The swim part of the race takes place on the beach, but be prepared to run on the sand when you get out of the water and for the "stairs of death" that you have to climb to reach the bike transition! After that, the race is smooth sailing!

I plan on competing again with my two sisters and mom for the next one coming up in September! Hope to see you ladies there!

    Gina F.  4/30/09

I ran this race for the first time last year. I had competed in the Fremont Mermaid 3 other times. I love Mermaid events because everyone is out there to not only compete but to support each other as well. Last year they added a Might Mermaid distance which was double the swim, bike and run. This was the longest tri I had ever done and it was definitely a challenge. The swim is a nice open water swim but you do have to go around a rather funky cement ship. The bike course has a couple of pretty challenging hills but there are lots of women who walk up them and no one complains. The run is on the state park road that runs parallel to shore and it is beautiful with lots of distractions to help you through the run.

But the best part is the support that everyone gives to each other as we compete to the best of our abilities. There is nothing but encouragement all along the way and Heidi does an awesome job encouraging everyone from her race announcer's booth. This is a fantastic race for first-timers to experienced racers and everyone inbetween. This is just an absolutely awesome event!

    Austin B.  3/3/09

The Mermaid Triathlon is a perfect "1st-timer" race for women of all ages. From the moment you get there to the moment that you leave, everyone is having the time of their lives. Throughout the whole race you don't hear a single complaint, but instead, plenty of encouragements to stick it out and keep on going. I'd recommend any women to this race. No matter if this is your 1st race or your 100th, every woman is treated with respect.

    Marie S.  2/9/09

Alright, I will come right out and say it. Two of my close girlfriend are on the race staff for Mermaid so I am biased about how much I love this event. But, believe me, if I didn't like it, I'd just avoid the drama and not review it. Good for them, good for me, and good for all of you ladies, I am happy to say that I totally love love love the Mermaid race series especially since it is less than a mile from my house.

Santa Cruz Mermaid tri in Aptos is the perfect race to end your racing season. It is in the last weekend in September and is the perfect distance (something like 1/4 mile ocean swim, 9-11 mile bike, and 2-3 mile run - I can't recall) after you've been racing hard all summer. The only thing I don't like is swimming around scary cement ship. It smells like bird poop and I am convinced a whole family of sharks live underneath it. Oh yeah, one year right before the race started - I've done this two times - a pod of whales swam by like a mile out. Super pretty.

The organization is the best - Carlo, Heidi, and Marisol are true professionals. There is a yummy pancake breakfast, good music, and don't forget the STAIRS! You have to run up them after you get out of the swim AND after you already ran across the beach. that means sand.

Serious, everytime I do this race I have a huge smile on my face. it just makes me so happy. I can't wait to do it again.