How far out is the danger of an undertow? If he stays in water up to his hips, is he safe? How about his waist?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People all over the world who can't swim go to the beach. They also drown. My opinion is that people who do not swim and who do not spend any time in or around water have absolutely no idea how dangerous it can be. Talk to some beach lifeguards, look at the drowning statistics and then make your decision.

That being said, it would depend on the beach. Beaches in Florida with little to no surf that are shallow are a much different animal than the beaches in the Outer Banks.

Is it dangerous at the Outer Banks?

YES! Can be if undertows!!!!!!!!

Be very very aware of rip-tides and under-tows. Sometimes even strong swimmers have difficult with those (you do know to swim parallel to the beach to get out of the tow and only then swim perpendicularly back to the beach?

If they have open sores I don't let them in. There has been an uptick this year in flesh-eating bacteria cases in the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. Some recently. Would apply same policy at the ocean. Monitor for infection after swimming.

Be very very aware of rip-tides and under-tows. Sometimes even strong swimmers have difficult with those (you do know to swim perpendicular to the beach to get out of the tow and only then swim back to the beach?

Tell the kid not to go in deeper than about his waist unless he's with a trusted adult who's a strong swimmer, and then go enjoy the beach. Not sure why this is a question -- people take babies, toddlers, and other non-swimmers on beach vacations all the time and the only difference here is that the child is old enough to reliably listen to instructions and take responsibility for his own safety.

No, I would not take an 11 year old to the beach who could not swim.

I would, however, take him to swimming lessons.

It can be dangerous to rescue someone who is drowning. Read about a guy who drowned while trying to save two kids. The kids panicked and grabbed onto him and pushed him under the water.

Ridiculous. There is very little swimming done in the ocean. Most of the activity is done in water that is no more than up to your waist.

Not sure why an 11 year old can't swim (parental negligence) but he should be fine on the beach.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I agree swimming is a life skill. I was swimming for years already by that age. He has taken multiple swimming lessons and is taking them again now but JUST.CAN'T.SWIM. He sinks like a rock. His body is extraordinarily dense or something and he is not particularly athletic or coordinated. He's also afraid to relax enough to float. I'm really concerned for his safety.

OP again. He can't even tread water.

OP, call the Lab School pool and ask about private lessons after explaining exactly what the issue is. They have instructors who work with kids with all sorts of disabilities and special needs. I'm not saying your DS is in that category but he does need something more specialized. He has the ability to learn to swim he just needs someone with the skill to get him there.

My god, the fearful people. I didn't swim until I was 12, but I went to the beach every summer and went in the water and played and had fun. I had a healthy fear of deep water and made sure I learned my limits quickly at a new beach...where the drop-off was, etc. My aunt took me out to let me feel the undertow while she held me. An adult would often take me on rides in deeper water, but I'd happily go in to my waist as long as it was before a drop off. I loved riding waves in and feeling like I was almost swimming.

Don't deny a non-swimmer the joys of the beach. Choose calm beaches with no riptides and no dropoffs if you can. Teach them respect for the water. You might inspire them to try harder at lessons and teaching themselves.

Assuming he's not going to run off into the ocean, I'd absolutely take him to the beach. There are other fun things to do on the beach besides swim, and I'm not a fan of punishing him (and the whole familiy) for what must be a frustrating and embarassing skill deficit.

But, like others, I would not let him go in the water. If you have any concerns about his willingness to stick by the water's edge, I'd reconsider.

So tell him he can't go to the beach till he learns how to swim

Anonymous wrote:People all over the world who can't swim go to the beach. They also drown. My opinion is that people who do not swim and who do not spend any time in or around water have absolutely no idea how dangerous it can be. Talk to some beach lifeguards, look at the drowning statistics and then make your decision.

That being said, it would depend on the beach. Beaches in Florida with little to no surf that are shallow are a much different animal than the beaches in the Outer Banks.

Is it dangerous at the Outer Banks?

Anonymous wrote:No, I would not take an 11-year-old who can't swim swimming in the ocean. Even good swimmers can drown in the ocean.

The only exception I would make is if he's willing to wear a life vest of some sort like young kids who are not strong swimmers.

+1. I'm a strong swimmer myself and I've been pulled under too many times for me to feel comfortable having a child who doesn't even know how to tread water in anything beyond his ankles without a PFD. I guess it also depends where you are going. Some water is calmer than others.