Start 'Em Young

[Bill S]

Here we have the youngest member of the clan, Nicole, just trying to figure out why her pop keeps on falling off this here tube - "Looks fine to me dad!"

Picture of grandaughter taken Sept 2002 at Loch Lomond.

Just proves that we do occasionally get some nice days when we can leave the thermals at home. (You should have seen the same beach a week later - oops sorry, you could'nt see anything thru the bleeding rain)

[Charles]

Nice one Bill - I agree, start them young!
You should have been on this forum a year or so ago ....we had a massive, shall we say, difference of opinion as to what age children should be allowed anywhere near boats+water+life-jackets.

[Bill S]

Hi Charles,

I learned to swim early in life, my missus didn't, but agrees that kids should learn how to swim as early as possible. Our 3 boys were brought up this way, and now 2 grandchildren are going thru the process.
Me and my boys swim well, are not scared of the water, (although have a very healthy respect for what it can do), and have a high old time with watersports - especially tubing. We take it as a matter of course that we will end up in the water - but we are not scared, and do not panic when we find ourselves there. I feel that this can only be achieved thru familiarity, and the sooner you start, the more familiar you will become.
Obviously you do not take unnecessary risks with youngsters, (my starting pic shows my grandaughter on the beach, with an inch of water in the bottom of the tube - it does not show her mum and dad who were on each side of her - just in case), and I would'nt take a child that small (non-swimmer at that point) aboard. Next summer should be interesting though - we should be able to kit them out with wetsuits and lifejackets, and then - well, we will see what happens.
My own youngest was kitted out with his first wetsuit and lifejacket, taken about 150 yds offshore on Loch Lomond, and encouraged to jump in. He turned into a proverbial cork, and ended up totally confident of his equipment. I think he was six at the time. Next year, when he tried kneeboarding for the first time, he eventually fell off, and could'nt find the end of the strap to release his legs. He knew his lifejacket would keep him up, so he just kept paddling with his arms to stop the board trying to turn him over, until the boat came round to pick him up.
I think its really a case of 'be sensible' with kids until they show they have the confidence and ability to look after themselves in or near the water.
Oops!, blubbering on a bit here.........I'll shut up now.

[Deana Angell]

Bill, she is quite a cutie!

[Bill S]

Hi Deana,

Cutie, yep, I think that is a very good description! But believe me, when she and her cousin come to visit (which is often), they rule the roost! God bless 'em!

[John Kennett]

Here's Will, my 18 month old son and heir, getting to grips with a recoil starter in Cornwall in August. Have you ever seen a 2.6 metre inflatable looking so big?

John

[Keith Hart]

JK I'll bet it looks pretty small with you in it. Oh yes, and why didn't you bring it up to JoG?

Keith (perhaps next time) Hart

[John Kennett]

Originally posted by Keith Hart
why didn't you bring it up to JoG?

Because:

1 - it's not mine
2 - it lives in Cornwall which wasn't on the way
3 - I couldn't afford the excess baggage fee on the plane

John

[Bill S]

Good pic John,
Looks to me like he's just switching off after successfully beaching it!

[Charles]

Probably looking for the moderator login
My, has he not grown, seems just like the other day we were all congratulating you on the birth of your son.