Competitors in colourful mermaid tails took to the water in Warsaw for the Mermaid Polska Deepspot Cup, a national contest held in Europe's deepest pool. They performed acrobatics, raced for speed and waited for judges to assess their skills, while spectators watched through a glass tunnel.

For some participants, mermaiding is both a sport and an art form, combining swimming with performance. Judges say the activity is becoming increasingly popular in Poland, particularly among women and children.

But the hobby also has a personal side. One competitor says becoming a mermaid helps her slow down and gives her a way to prove that things once considered impossible can become reality.