Donington action woman Laura makes a splash as Miss Mermaid Lincolnshire
Donington wonder woman Laura Hudson (29) has been a Ninja Warrior, Tough Mudder runner, pole dancer and costumer designer.
But now the former Spalding High School students has her sights set on becoming Miss Mermaid UK after taking part in an underwater training camp in Gloucestershire earlier this summer.
In fact, Laura was so accomplished at freediving (being in and under the water whilst holding your breath), swimming in fins and “learning the business side of becoming a professional mermaid” that she now has the title of Miss Mermaid Lincolnshire which she will take with her to the UK Finals next month.
Laura said: “I took to ‘Mermaid Camp’ quite naturally, hitting a four-minute breath hold which was a record for the camp, a 50-metre swim in fins and a 40-metre swim in the mermaid monofin tail in one breath.
"As a result, I was given the title of 'Team Leader' having excelled in all training sessions and easily gaining my two-star qualification in pool and theory.
"I'm about to complete the open water section of the recognised qualification in just a few weeks' time but, thanks in part to my success at Mermaid Camp, I was awarded the title of Miss Mermaid Lincolnshire which confirmed my place for the Miss Mermaid UK Finals at the Wilde Theatre, Bracknell, on September 28 and 29."
Awaiting Laura in Bracknell is a competition with rounds that include an underwater photoshoot, optional talent, beachwear, evening dress and an eco/creative round where she has the chance to show off her costume-making skills.
Laura said: "For the underwater photoshoot round, the night before the main competition, everyone wears the same mermaid tail in order to keep things fair for all the girls taking part as different fins react differently in water.
Laura said: "For the underwater photoshoot round, the night before the main competition, everyone wears the same mermaid tail in order to keep things fair for all the girls taking part as different fins react differently in water.
"Then on the day of the main competition, there is an optional talent round where I plan to showcase my pole dancing skills, a beachwear round where you can wear anything from a bikini to a beach dress, an evening gown round and an eco/creative round where the girls make a flamboyant mermaid-inspired outfit from recycled or secondhand materials.
"This particular round plays to my strengths, with me having a degree in fashion design degree, as I've been able to design a very intricate and complicated dress made entirely out of recyclable rubbish.
"But I need a lot of help from anyone living locally who can provide me with ring pulls from pop cans, old newspapers, carrier bags, carrier bags, bin bags and recycling bags with holes in, plastic rings that hold cans together, old washing line wire or other items."
If you can help Laura, email lilsuitepee@hotmail.com
