Congratuations to the 2026 ♥️Miami Beach Cupid Splash♥️ Grant Recipients

Last night ♥️Miami Beach Cupid Splash❤️ Lead Organizer Bruce Berman announced the this year's grant recipients at the Miami Climate Leaders Happy Hour at Salt Waterfront Restaurant on the University of Miami's RSMAS Campus in Key Biscayne. 

Thanks to Andy Chabassol and the Ikgai Partnership for pulling this great event together, and Dave Doebler and Dara Schoenfield, Sophie Ringel and our great host committee for helping to make the Miami Beach Cupid Splash a new Valentine's Day Tradition in Miami Beach.

 

Thanks as well to our 2026 Splash Sponsors - The Greater Miami Convention and Visitor Bureau, the Fillmore Miami Beach/Live Nation, the Miami International Boat Show, the Miami Beach Convention Center, and the Miami Beach Water Taxi for their generosity and support.

This year's ♥️Miami Beach Cupid Splash♥️ Grant Recipients are Surfrider Miami, VolunteerCleanup.org, and Clean Miami Beach who each will receive $3,500, the Blue Scholar Initiative, Debris Free Oceans, and Every Child A Swimmer,who will each receive $1,000 and the Pelican Harbor Seabird Station, which will receive $500 from this year's pledge proceeds.

The remainder of the funds we raised - more than $15,000 - will support the Biscayne Bay Marine Health Coalition and their Summit, which will be held on May 20, 2026 at Jungle Island.

 

Next year's ♥️Miami Beach Cupid Splash♥️ will be held on Sunday, February 14th 2027 at Collins Park Beach.  you can still make a contribution to the 2026 Splash at cupidsplash.org.

 

Finally, Miami Beach's 🧜Eco-Mermaid 🧜‍♀️Merle Liivand has asked me to let you all know that she will be setting a new Guinness World Record for a monofin "🧜‍♀️Mermaid Swim" by swimming more than 50 kilometers from the Dania Beach Jetty to South Point on Saturday, April 11. 

You can find out more and make a contribution to help 🧜‍♀️Merle "Save the Seas" and teach all children to swim at mermaidmerle.org.

 

Thanks again for your support.

🧜‍♀️Mermaid on a Mission!

 

Estonian "Eco-Mermaid" Merle Liivand has set multiple Guinness World Records 
for the longest swim with a monofin, using only her core and lower body to swim marathon distances.

Miami's 🧜‍♀️Mermaid Merle Liivand is on a mission.

PLEASE NOTE! Merle's Mermaid Swim has been postponed until April 25, due to high winds, rough seas and rip currents. 

On April 25, 2026 Miami's Mermaid Merle Liivand will set a new Guinness World Record by swimming more than 50 km (31.14 miles) from Fort Lauderdale to South Beach with a monofin to raise awareness about the importance of keeping plastic out of the ocean and to raise funds to teach life saving swimming skills to kids. Find out more at mermaidmerle.org

Merle trains everyday off Miami Beach with the Dolphins & Rainbows swim team.

" I am doing this because I am 🧜‍♀️Mermaid. It's my job to protect the sea and sea creatures from thoughtless people who throw plastic and trash into the ocean," said Liivand, a former Baltic champion and breaststroke specialist from Estonia who lives in Miami Beach.
"But 🧜‍♀️Mermaid needs lots of help. That's why I am raising money for the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Every Child a Swimmer program; to make sure that every kid can learn to swim safely, so they can become Super Heroes of the Sea and help me protect the ocean."

Click here to make a contribution to support Merle's  🧜‍♀️Mermaid Swim.

Thanks to the 💙Miami Beach Cupid Splash♥️ and Miami-Dade Coastal Cleanup, Inc. 
all pledge proceeds will go to support Every Child's a Swimmer!

This is not the first time that Merle, who will be 35 on April 17th, has set a monofin distance record. 

She performed a 10-km (6.2-mi) Mermaid swim off Redondo Beach, California, USA, in 2019 (time: 2 hr 54 min); a 20.6-km (12.8-mi) Mermaid swim off South Point Park Pier in Miami in 2020 (time: 6 hr 8 min); a 30-km (18.6-mi) Mermaid swim off Miami Beach, Florida, USA, on 17 April 2021 (time: 9 hr 19 min); and a 42.2-km (26.22-mi) "Marathon  Mermaid swim" off Miami Beach, Florida, USA, on 7 May 2022 (time: 11 hr 54 min). On April 15, 2023, she set the current record of 50 kilometres (31.13 miles) in Biscayne Bay in Miami, Florida, USA.

Merle and her team will depart from the Dania Beach Jetty at 6:30 AM and expect to be at Haulover Inlet by early afternoon. Depending on current, wind and tides, she expects to arrive at the South Point Jetty around sunset.  

 

 

Watch a video flyover of the Mermaid Swim Route on Youtube 

 "I will be swimming in front of beautiful beaches and resorts that are the heart of the region's Blue Economy. Just beneath the surface are fragile coral reefs that need our care as well," said Liivand. "We need to keep our beaches clean from pollution and plastic, and teach all kids to swim safely and connect them with the marine environment, so we can inspire them to become Superheroes of the Sea."

🧜‍♀️Mermaid Merle's little pal Merlita  has a message for all aspiring 🧜Mermaid Superheros...

 Watch a terrific profile of 🧜‍♀️Mermaid Merle Liivand on CNN

Meet the eco-friendly mermaid cleaning oceans one record breaking swim at a time

For more information about the 🧜‍♀️Mermaid Swim including route updates and viewing locations, 
follow Merle on Facebook or Instagram
#mermaidswim #miamimermaid #mermaid #aquamerle #merlita 

To arrange coverage of this great event, contact Bruce Berman 
by email to bruce@bostonharbor.com or by cell at (617) 293-6243

 

Another Great Day at the Beach at the 2026 ❤️Miami Beach Cupid Splash❤️

 

On Sunday, February 15th, 85 "Cupid Splashers" from 18 teams joined scores of volunteers from Clean Miami Beach for the 2nd Annual ❤️ MIAMI BEACH CUPID SPLASH ❤️ pledge and plunge fundraiser at Collins Park Beach at 22nd St. in South Beach.

Thanks to Samiar Nefzi and WPLG Local10 News for their great coverage
https://www.local10.com/news/local/2026/02/15/miami-beach-cupid-splash-returns-raising-funds-and-awareness-for-biscayne-bay/

This year's participants persuaded 185 family members, friends, followers and fans to make contribution ranging from $5 to $500 to support local organization's efforts to restore, protect and share Biscayne Bay and area beaches. 

Those contributions, and support from event sponsors including the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater/Live Nation, The Miami Beach Convention Center, the Miami International Boat Show, and the Miami Beach Water Taxi brought the total raised to date to $77,989 to support the Bay, our beaches and the sea. (NOTE: It's not to late to make a contribution at http://cupidsplash.org.) 

Thanks to our sponsors for their support!

Proceeds from the 2026 ❤️ MIAMI BEACH CUPID SPLASH ❤️  will go to support VolunteerCleanup.org, Clean Miami Beach, the Biscayne Bay Marine Health Coalition, the Blue Scholars Initiative, the Miami Surfrider Foundation, and other local organizations and programs

Miami's Mermaid Merle Liivand and Splash organizer Bruce Berman presented this year's H2O Hero Award to Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner, for his sustained support for healthy waterways, a resilient coastline, clean beaches and the restoration and protection of Biscyne Bay".

 

Left to Right Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce President Brittnie Bassant and Miami Beach Commissioner Tanya Katzoff Bhatt judged the costume contest. Event organizer Bruce Berman and Miami's Mermaid Merle Liivand and her little pal Merlita presented this year's H20 Hero Awards to Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner and Dave Doebler and Dara Schoenwald of VolunteerCleanup.org

Dara Schoenfeld and Dave Doebler of VolunteerCleanup.org receive H2O Hero Awards this year as well, "for their leadership in removing plastic and debris from the marine environment, and their tenacious advocacy for the restoration and protection of Biscayne Bay".

Special thanks to Sophie Ringel and Clean Miami Beach, who organized a volunteer beach cleanup on the beach at the event, removing 250 lbs of plastic and trash from the beach.

Thanks as well to Miami's Mermaid Merle Liivand and her little pal Merlita, for spotting and retrieving a cluster of heart shaped ballons as they drifted by offshore, pushed by wind and waves. "Plastic does not belong in the sea, and balloons do not belong on the beach!" scolded Merlita. 

Idris Sardharwala, Volunteer Coordinator of the Pelican Harbor Seabird Station, was also on hand and released a Laughing Gull that the station's staff had rescued and rehabilitated to cheers and applause from the crowd on the beach.

Andy Chabasol and Mike Gibaldi of Surfrider Miami and Cecilia Gonzalez-Jimenez of Coastal Conservators won the prizes for biggest fundraisers. They each recieved a pair of tickets and complimentary drinks to a future show at The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater.

Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Brittnie Bassant and Miami Beach Commissioner Tanya Katzoff Bhatt judged the costume contest this year Debi Quade in a giant octopus costume won a $100 gift certificate to Cafe Bermies  and Steve Vicente as the plastic Bag Monster recieived a $100 gift from Oliver's Bistro.

Mark you calendars for Sunday, February 14th, 2027 when the ❤️Miami Beach Cupid Splash ❤️ will return to South Beach. With your help, we will make a very big splash!

For more information visit the event website at www.cupidsplash.org or contact ❤️Miami Beach Cupid Splash❤️ Lead Organizer Bruce Berman on his cell at  (617) 293 6243 or by email to bruce@bostonharbor.com

 

See You On The Beach On Sunday!

 

TL;DR
Hundreds of costumed splashers will simultaneously plunge into the sea in South Beach as the ❤️ MIAMI BEACH CUPID SPLASH ❤️ pledge and plunge fundraiser returns to South Beach this Sunday, February 15th at 11:00 AM at Collins Park Beach at 22nd St.

 
Participants have already raised more than $75,000 to support the Biscayne Bay Marine Health Coalition, VolunteerCleanup.org, Clean Miami Beach, the Blue Scholars Initiative and other local environmental groups and projects.

Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner and VolunteerCleanup.Org Leaders Dave Doebler and Dara Schoenwald will be honored as 2026 “H2O HEROS”

Gather at 11:00. Costume Contest at 11:30. Awards at 11:45. Splash at Noon.

For more information visit the event website at www.cupidsplash.org or contact ❤️Miami Beach Cupid Splash❤️ Lead Organizer Bruce Berman on his cell at  (617) 293 6243 or by email to bruce@bostonharbor.com

 

Groundhog's Day Greetings from South Beach Sammy

When Sammy the Groundhog moved to Miami Beach from Boston he decided to continue the Ground Hog's Day tradition started by his cousin Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania, but with a tropical twist. 

Whether he sees his shadow or not, "South Beach Sammy" will be taking part in the ❤️Miami Beach Cupid Splash❤️ on Valentine's Day weekend at Collins Park Beach in South Beach.  

Register for free to join him on February 15th at cupidsplash.org, or make a donation today to support Sammy's Splash at https://charity.pledgeit.org/miamibea... 

You can find out more about the Miami Beach Cupid Splash on our blog at https://cupidsplash.blogspot.com/ We hope to see you on the beach on February 15th!
 

 

Coastal Conservators - Teen Team

 

You can make a contribution to the Coastal Conservators Teen Team at
https://charity.pledgeit.org/miamibeachcupidsplash/teams/@coastalconservators

Last year, I took the plunge at the Miami Beach Cupid Splash for the first time and enlisted some friends. I came with curiosity, a little nervous energy, and some crazy pink floaties. I had no idea of how cold the water would be (it wasn’t) nor of how powerful the experience would be (tremendous). After we ran into the ocean and felt the energy from everyone on the beach, we left proud to be part of something that truly supports our Bay, our beaches, and our community.

That’s why our Teen Team is coming back this year. 

What made Cupid Splash special wasn’t just the plunge, it was being part of a community that truly cares about Biscayne Bay and the future of our environment. Seeing so many people of all ages come together for a local cause made the impact feel real and personal. And I made many serendipitous connections. 

Last year, our group raised funds to support organizations working to restore and protect our coastline and it felt incredible knowing our efforts helped make a difference. This year, let’s build on that momentum and do even more!

It’s easy to get involved. You can start a team, set up a fundraising page, and invite friends to join you at cupidsplash.org, or join our Teen Team with Coastal Conservators and make some new friends. Whether you’re young or young at heart, join us by jumping in the water or cheering from the sidelines.

If you’ve been thinking about joining, now’s the time. Grab your friends, take the plunge, and be part of something bigger than yourself.

 I’ll see you on Sunday, February 15th at 10am at Collins Park Beach! 

Cecilia Gonzalez-Jimenez 

Follow Your Heart!

 

 

Miami Beach Mermaid Merle Liivand says "Follow Your Heart" and join us on Valentine's Day Weekend at the ❤️Miami Beach Cupid Splash❤️
Register Today at cupidsplash.org

Last year more than 100 participants raised nearly $50,000 at the ❤️Miami Beach Cupid Splash❤️ to help local organizations restore, protect and share Biscayne Bay and our beaches. This year, with your help, we hope to crush that goal! This year, we hope you will join us as we the into the sea on Valentine's Day in South Beach. 

It is free and easy to.register, start a team and raise some funds for a great cause at https://cupidsplash.org. You can find out more on our blog at https://cupidsplash.blogspot.com/ So register today and take the plunge with us on Sunday, February 15th at 10:00 at Collins Park Beach in Miami Beach. You may be chilly on the beach for a few minutes, but the warm feeling you will get from supporting the Bay, our beaches and your community will last a very long time!

So follow your heart and join us on the beach at the ❤️Miami Beach Cupid Splash❤️ on February 15th!