What age to swim in a lake with friends?

[DolphinAspirations]

What age would you be happy for your DD to swim in a lake with no adult supervision? It would be with friends of the same age in scotland. Mine has swum in a lake a couple of times with me but that’s all. She can swim at a medium sort of level.

We are having a difference of opinion.

Probably not at all.

Never. Lakes are deep and cold.

more realistically, only when an adult.

Preferably not at all, too dangerous.

Probably not all given she has little experience and isn't a strong swimmer. Every single year when hot weather rolls around young people(and not so young people) drown. I would be doing my best to make sure it wasn't my young person.

It's so dangerous. I genuinely don't know, but older teenager for sure. Although then you have to worry about alcohol etc.

What do your local emergency services recommend?

Another not at all. No lifeguards, no swim.

Agreed, never. Cold water shock is far too dangerous.

Are you MADDDDD?? Never. Never ever ever.

EVERRRRRR.

Seriously? Not at all. Open water if any sort is only for strong swimmers who are also able to risk assess.

I swim in lochs regularly because I am a strong swimmer, an experienced open water swimmer and could get back to shore even if significantly incapacitated. Cramp could kill her.

I'd probably like to say never but more realistically I guess 16 as long as with sensible friends

Unless it's an organised open water swim type thing, probably never. There are stories of teenagers dying every year after misadventures in lakes and rivers.

Never
I think it would be very irresponsible to give her permission to do that

Just to add weil's disease can be caught from lakes and rivers. It's not always the best idea.

Actually I’ve just re-read your OP and I’m going to say definitely not at all.

I’d be very worried about a competent / experienced swimmer swimming in the wild without supervision, but you’re only describing her as medium ability, so it would be a definite no from me. Too risky.

It’s one of those situations where if it goes wrong, it goes very very wrong, and the potential consequence could be fatality. I just wouldn’t risk it.

God how ridiculous! Swimming in a lake is one of the joys of life. Loads of people do it. Prob safer than the sea. Pretty much every sociable teen in our small city goes river swimming with their mates and great fun they have too.

Send her here:

doingitfordylan.org.uk

Please rethink that @lookforthesun!!! Please.

www.swimming.org/swimengland/drowning-deaths-rise-respect-water-campaign/

Not at all. Another child tragically drowned yesterday, 16 year old lad from Wakefield.

Is it a lake that is designated as safe for swimming? If not, it's not OK at any age. There have been two tragedies in England in the last few days through teenagers swimming where it's not safe to do so.

Absolutely never. I consider myself a fairly relaxed parent but this would be a firm no without an adult present who is a strong swimmer and can also check they are not going out too far.

Never. Someone dies in open water every year in hot weather.

@Tootiredtosleeptonight what is the difference between the sea and the lake? I don't know. But I live in the channel islands and all the teenagers go to the beach every day in the summer. They all grow up around the sea and it would be extremely unusual or unheard of for parents not to let their 12/13+ year olds to go to the beach with friends.

Im wondering what posters here think happened before municipal swimming pools were built?

People learnt to swim in rivers, lakes, pools, tarns the sea etc etc

Its about what is she going to use to keep safe, buoyancy aids, wet suit, what friends, phones, is there signal, etc etc

I'd probably like to say never but more realistically I guess 16

Two sixteen year old boys have died in the last few days in separate incidents through getting into difficulty while swimming.

Never. Most drownings happen in open water. I wouldn't do it as an adult and I don't swim in the sea either nor do I encourage my kids to as they are not strong swimmers.