The Mermaid Protector story – How it all began
The idea of neoprene free wetsuits was born in 2007 in the Maldives. That year our founder, Izabella Meyer, completed her open water, advanced and nitrox scuab diving certifications during this one holiday where she fell in love with diving.
From the very first moment she felt uncomfortable wearing neoprene.
The wetsuits were smelly, dirty, and difficult to put on and take off. On top of that, she felt like the wetsuits were designed by men without consideration for what women expect and want.
So she asked herself – why only neoprene? Are there other ways to protect divers and other water sports enthusiasts from the elements?
The truth about Neoprene
Chloroprene (known as, “Neoprene”) is the common name for the colorless type of synthetic rubber.
Neoprene can be manufactured in two ways:
First, there is oil-based neoprene, created by a vast amount of oil drilling and transportation.
Second, there is limestone-based neoprene, which requires a huge amount of water and energy to mine.
Both are non-renewable and have significant, long-term detrimental effects on the earth. As such, these wetsuits cannot be deemed environmentally friendly. Chloroprene is not “readily biodegradable” and has a low bio/geo accumulation potential.
But not only neoprene production is harmful. The fabric flakes off during use releasing microparticles that are harmful to all ocean creatures. So all water enthusiasts harm the environment they love. For Izabella, it was time for a change.
Oil-based neoprene –
LIMESTONE-BASED NEOPRENE –
WHY THE NAME MERMAID PROTECTOR?
… it’s simple:
MERMAID …
stands for femininity, what we support and represent. There’s a mermaid in every woman.
PROTECTOR …
our products have been specially developed to protect you from the undesirable effects of seawater, UV rays, cold, and wind.
WHY NOT ME?
A few months ago, a dive shop owner in Switzerland and user of neoprene wetsuits asked Izabella –
“Why do you think YOU can change anything in the diving industry?” She simply answered, “Why NOT me?“
PANTA RHEI – EVERYTHING FLOWS.
Generations of water sports enthusiasts are changing, technologies are changing, Earth’s environment is drastically changing. We can’t block new ideas or changes important to all of us and our planet because of our habits or ignorance. For all of us gathered here, the ocean’s conservation is very important. This is why we all have the responsibility of counteracting the negative effects of single-use plastic, micro-plastic pollution from cosmetics, and rubber microparticles in the oceans from our neoprene wetsuits.
We have to take care of what we love!
THE ONLY SOLUTION TO GLOBAL ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS IS THE COOPERATION OF GLOBAL HUMAN NETWORKS.
The philosophy of Mermaid Protector is based entirely on this concept. We are part of a network that aims to lower the contamination of the ecosystem caused by the production and use of neoprene. Mermaid Protector`s concept is for anyone that cares about our environment, oceans, and nature. It doesn’t matter if you are a surfer or sailor, swimmer or diver, or mermaid – we all are part of the ecosystem that we have to protect. Because we all belong to it.
Since 2018, our team and our network is growing constantly. WE all are passionate and love our jobs. Actually it is not the job. We all follow our dreams. From our CEO Ronny Roskosch to our professional distributors worldwide.
OUR CORE TEAM:
Izabella Meyer – Founder & Managing Creative Director
Ronny Roskosch – Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Roman Blunder – Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Katrin Husemann – Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)
Milla Rabjohns – Chief Product Officer (CPO)
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN A NEOPRENE FREE FUTURE.
THE LIST IS GETTING LONGER EACH DAY.
Whatever you think about it, life is beautiful. Life is colorful. This isn’t a black-and-white movie. This is a vibrant, full-resolution, widescreen experience. Like our fashion! Please Join our colorful #neoprenefree Mermaid Protector lifestyle!
