One of the first rules for mermaiding is to make sure that you are a competent swimmer. I highly recommend taking a basic swimming class or class with Padi or SSI for mermaiding or freediving before you decide to get in the water and always remember to NEVER swim alone. As far as making new Mer friends I recommend utilizing hashtags or heading over to Facebook and looking at Mermaid groups and asking if there any pods in your area or local Mers that want to meet up and swim. One last tip that wa