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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not let ds aged 8 go on a 'banana boat' when we go on holiday next week?

48 replies

StartRight · 07/08/2012 21:49

I genuinely would like some honest opinions. My ds is 8 (9 in November) he can swim although not particularly strongly, and he desperately wants to go on one of those banana boat rides that are available where we go on holiday.

I went on one in my early 20's many years ago and I remember being thrown from it into the deep ocean and it being quite scary.

My dh would go on it with him, but I am worried about the safety of it especially adults knocking into him at speed when the passengers get thrown from the boat.

My dh is happy for him to go on it, but I don't want him to.

Would or have you let your dc's go on one so young?

Basically AIBU?

OP posts:
kim147 · 07/08/2012 21:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WorraLiberty · 07/08/2012 21:50

I've been to a few beaches now where they do 'child friendly' rides...you have to ask what times they do them.

Basically, it goes slower and they tip them off more gently so they don't go flying around like the adults do.

It's worth an ask.

blueglue · 07/08/2012 21:51

I went on one a couple of years go with my adult brothers. The driver asked if we wanted to be thrown off of not. We opted to be thrown and we were. Was fun but don't think good for an 8yo who isn't a very strong swimmer.

ratspeaker · 07/08/2012 21:52

Check your travel insurance, some exclude banana boat rides and suchlke.
then think if they will be wearing life jackets and what rescue service they provide

Original poster
StartRight · 07/08/2012 21:53

kim147 he would definitely be wearing a life jacket.

WorraLiberty - thanks I will ask about them. That may be a compromise.

I am fighting against being over protective, but don't want to take silly risks just because we are on holiday!

OP posts:
twooter · 07/08/2012 21:53

I wouldn't personally, although he probably would be fine.

Tressy · 07/08/2012 21:56

Mine went on one when she had just turned 9. Worse thing was I had to go on the damn thing with her. Must admit I told the driver not to throw us off and he didn't. That was more for me than DC.

Had to go on another of the damn things when she was older and we got thrown off this time. Never again Grin.

Original poster
StartRight · 07/08/2012 21:57

blueglue I agree. I thinks he is too young

ratspeaker if our travel insurance excludes it that will speak volumes re the safety

twooter, thanks, it is the 'probably' that makes me nervous!

OP posts:
Denise34 · 07/08/2012 21:58

wikipedia says they are safe to ride at 4+ years. I can't see any problem if your DH will be riding with him and he will be wearing a lifejacket. If other children his age are riding them it would be very harsh to deny him.

Evasmum12 · 07/08/2012 21:58

I went on one when I was a similar age, got thrown off and elbowed in the face by someone, ended up with bloody nose and fat lip. I absolutely loved it. YANBU to worry, but I would let him go on with your dj.

Denise34 · 07/08/2012 21:59

I think I went paragliding at that age or a little older.

Evasmum12 · 07/08/2012 21:59

Dj? DH.

Original poster
StartRight · 07/08/2012 22:00

Haha Tressy, atleast I will definitely not be going on it!

denise34, I guess I will have to play it by ear, and see what the rides are like when we get there.

OP posts:
kim147 · 07/08/2012 22:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TequilaMockinBird · 07/08/2012 22:02

My DD and DH went on one last year on holiday, both were wearing life jackets and the boat pulled the 'banana' along at speed for a while before returning to the beach.

DD was most upset at not being thrown off but when we asked the guy running it, he told us that they weren't allowed to throw people off for Health & Safety reasons!

This was in the Caribbean and I wasn't aware they even had H&S laws yet judging by the building site workers so maybe these rules now apply to banana boats everywhere?

kim147 · 07/08/2012 22:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Tressy · 07/08/2012 22:05

The joys of being a single parent! We have photos which friends we made took of two young men who shared with us shoving my bum back on the thing Blush.

They always provide life jackets.

Original poster
StartRight · 07/08/2012 22:07

Tequila I would not mind if they definitely don't throw the passengers off.

kim147 sounds like you had a lovely youth!

Evasmum - that is my exact worry!

Mmm food for thought.

OP posts:
TheDetective · 07/08/2012 22:08

I wouldn't - no. DS is 10, and I still wouldn't.

Can't put my finger on it. I am a little over protective at times though, so maybe that clouds my judgement. It's more the ocean that frightens me, that something would happen when they get thrown off.

Original poster
StartRight · 07/08/2012 22:09

Grin Tressy

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Original poster
StartRight · 07/08/2012 22:10

TheDetective - I am still leaning towards 'no'.

OP posts:
midori1999 · 07/08/2012 22:11

DS1, now 16, so survived Grin went on one on holiday when he was 5. He went on with his Dad, friend who he met on holiday of the same age and friend's Dad. The 'driver' obviously took into account they were children as neither fell off.

DS's friend said it was the best bit of his holiday, DS said it was the best bit of his whole life! Grin

So, based on that, yes, YABU.

NarcolepsyQueen · 07/08/2012 22:12

DD went on one last year when she was 6. She loved it. We did the ringos and flying fish too.

kim147 · 07/08/2012 22:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
StartRight · 07/08/2012 22:20

Midori, I am sure my ds would absolutely love it if all goes well.
Thanks Narcolepsy, maybe I am worrying too much.

if something goes wrong I will blame you two

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