Advertisement
The 'Ocean Girl' themeOver its four year run, the show was syndicated in the US, the UK, Canada, the Czech Republic, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Switzerland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Portugal, Israel, and South Africa. It was the the highest rated show on the Disney Channel for several years and is still on air in Australia through ABC 3.But for a generation of pre-teens like myself, it was more than an early attempt at event television. Neri was a heroine unseen on Australian kids TV before. Sure she was beautiful, but she was also smart and brave. Despite always leaving a pool of sweaty pubescent boys in her wake, she wasn't interested in their attention. She was focused on her mission of saving her home from environmental destruction and didn't let any teenage bullshit faze her. Unlike other young girls on TV, she gave zero fucks about what anyone thought, and embodied an easy confidence that felt very far away for the gawky kids who idolised her.Even today, it's impossible to discuss Ocean Girl without everyone's faces lighting up. Neri's a 90s feminist icon whose style is constantly noted when discussing fantasy summer looks. And almost 20 years after the show wrapped in 1997, I challenge you to find anyone who can spend 10 minutes in a pool without attempting the signature "Ocean Girl swim". This move involved swimming largely without the use of your arms, but rolling your body through the water to propel you forward like a mermaid. It always felt a lot more elegant than it looked.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement