Meet Mara Wasik, the incredible baby who, at not even five months old, is already mastering the art of swimming underwater. What makes Mara’s story even more remarkable is her premature birth, as she arrived in the world a full 10 weeks ahead of schedule, weighing less than 3 pounds.
Mara’s parents, Nikki and Shane, have been overjoyed by their little mermaid’s aquatic abilities. Shane, who works as a shark swim guide, decided to introduce Mara to the wonders of free diving, and it turns out she’s a natural.
Nikki proudly states, “She is just a little mermaid. She has come through so much, against all the odds.” The name “Mara” itself is Gaelic for the sea, and it seems she’s living up to her name in the most extraordinary way.
Mara’s journey began with a challenging start. Born prematurely, she weighed only 2 pounds and 13 ounces, having dropped from her initial birth weight of 3 pounds and 6 ounces due to her inability to feed properly. Her tiny size required her to spend six weeks in a specialized baby care unit.
Despite the rough beginning, Mara’s parents marveled at her courage and resilience. Nikki recalls Mara’s first dive, captured on camera, with pride, saying, “Mara was never meant to be born so early. To see her now, it’s hard to believe that Mara had such a tough start in life. She is the bravest thing, and now she is free diving with Daddy.”
Shane, who often guides tourists to swim with sharks in the waters off Oban, explained that babies have a natural breath-holding reflex action in the water for the first few months of their lives. It seems that Mara has embraced this aquatic instinct wholeheartedly.
Mara’s entry into the world was marked by urgency as Nikki was rushed to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley via ambulance from Oban. Shane was in Birmingham at a trade event when the dramatic events unfolded. Earlier that day, Nikki had driven to Glasgow to pick up her friend Gina Richards, who had flown in from New Zealand for a visit.
Nikki’s journey from Oban to the hospital was a whirlwind of unexpected events, including an encounter with a deer on the way. Despite the challenges, she reached the hospital swiftly and safely, where Mara’s remarkable story of triumph truly began.
Mara’s journey from a premature infant to a water-loving wonder is a testament to her strength and the love and care of her devoted parents. Her story is a reminder that even the tiniest among us can achieve incredible feats against all odds.
