Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
FrameyMcFrame · 07/08/2012 22:21

My DD who is 11 is desparate to go on one too next week but I didn't even know they were dangerous until reading this thread... she is not a great swimmer either.

Original poster
StartRight · 07/08/2012 22:23

Sorry FrameyMcFrame, they probably are ok. I worry too much!

OP posts:
FrameyMcFrame · 07/08/2012 22:25

If it's not covered on holiday insurance then she is not doing it. :)

dlady · 07/08/2012 22:30

My dd was 8 when she went on one. It was very gentle though, on very calm water. She loved it, the boat driver did try to get them to fall off, never managed it, but only once they were back in shallow water.

cutegorilla · 07/08/2012 22:32

I wouldn't if he'd get thrown off. I couldn't believe how deep I went when I got thrown off one and it was really scary being under water for so long totally unprepared! If it's a more gentle ride then I guess it would be ok.

ForFoxsGlacierMints · 07/08/2012 22:35

My nephew got knocked out when an adult whacked him on the 'tip off'.

Original poster
StartRight · 07/08/2012 22:43

That is very scary ForFox!

dlady and cutegorilla, yes if the ride is gentle it will be ok.

However there have been 2 accounts of injury in this thread alone so obviously injury is not rare.

OP posts:
TequilaMockinBird · 07/08/2012 22:46

Oh Christ, have a Google of 'banana boat health and safety' Shock

I wish I'd done that before I let DD and DH go on!

SomedayIllFlyAway · 07/08/2012 22:51

For me it would depend on a few factors:

  • reasonably well fitting lifejackets must be worn at all times (ie not way too big so they could slip out of them or too small to do up)
  • there is a spotter in the boat as well as the driver (legal requirement in some places, sensible option irrespective)
  • sufficient space in the boat for the riders if there is a problem (legal requirement in the UK)
  • rides take place in a relatively safe area - so few other boats around, definitely no rental jetskis / boats in the area (people who don't use them normally are less observant of risks when on them IME)
  • if they do get thrown off (through choice or accident), does the boat get back to them reasonably quickly in a safe manner, or does it leave them bobbing about in the water longer than necessary (this is related to the attention of the spotter and the other water users in the area too) - watch a few rides before making a decision to see - if it is a high traffic area, they need to get back to them reasonably quickly, if it is a cordoned off area with no other water users, then it is less of a problem.

If I was happy with the above, then I would let a 9 yr old go on it. If I wasn't happy with the above, then even I wouldn't go on it.

Just to give you some background, I have a jet ski and wouldn't throw a youngster off a tube unless I knew they could handle it, so probably an adventurous 7 / 8 yr old at the youngest. I also wouldn't throw an adult off if there are muppets out on the water - they are instantly spottable as they tend to be going too fast too close to the shore / other people, and unaware of their surroundings (eg going within 50 feet of anyone towing.)

It is good fun, it is relatively safe (providing they are going at the recommended speed - most small towables like donuts are towed about 30mph, would assume a similar speed is normal for the larger banana boats), and if it is something unusual for you then it provides happy memories for years to come.

With respect to swimming, he just needs to be confident floating in a lifejacket and be able to swim a few meters any way he finds easiest.

kim147 · 07/08/2012 22:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TequilaMockinBird · 07/08/2012 22:52

Is it the same story all the way down then? I'm on phone so didn't look into every link. Scary story though!

SomedayIllFlyAway · 07/08/2012 23:06

A downed rider is difficult to see in the water on a calm day, they are nigh on impossible to see if there is a swell (regular waves). If other water users are in the area and are not paying attention they can be upon them before they see them.

I always advise downed riders / anyone bobbing about in the water to keep an arm high above the water (eg waving), try to jump out of the water at regular intervals just to increase their visibility.

Boat propellers and people never ever mix. The best case scenario is a mangled arm / leg (it would more than likely require amputation), the worst case scenario is death. The boat engine should always be switched into neutral when picking up people out of the water, ideally it should be switched off (responsible drivers will switch the engine off)

Boats do not just stop on water, so if a downed rider is spotted at the last minute, they may still be hit by the boat.

Lifejackets / buoyancy aids should keep you afloat, however they don't necessarily turn you face up (lifejackets do, but most people wear buoyancy aids), so if you are unconscious and face down, there is a risk.

There is a risk of whiplash.

JudgeJodie · 07/08/2012 23:12

I love the water so went on one a few years ago. I also got knocked out in the water and ended up with a black eye for the rest of the holiday. The nice Dutch man who had knocked me out (accidentally!) helped me back on and off we set again. The drives tipped us again and somehow managed to drive off without me.
I was only left for a couple of minutes until the others got the drivers attention but I was terrified.
And the life jackets absolutely HUM!

Viviennemary · 07/08/2012 23:16

Ours wanted to go on one but we said no. I personally think they are quite dangerous and wouldn't advise it.

EllenParsons · 08/08/2012 01:13

I would allow it. I have been on them a lot and accompanied kids many times as part of a holiday job I had for years. The kids always loved it and it is safe as long as the children can swim and have life jackets.

MaryHansack · 08/08/2012 01:27

allow it once you have seen the banana boat in operation, and check whether or not they do that sharp turn thing that throws people off.
I did see a guy knocked out coming off one of those once.

taxiforme · 08/08/2012 03:09

No, I would not consider it. YANBU.

He is likely to be the littlest on there and potentially with all adults and the forces of physics more likely to get bounced off.

Potentially your holiday insurance won't cover any mishaps. Most likely to get his teeth knocked out by another (heavier) passenger kicking him when the mass fall off happens - as it usually does.

You could compromise- there may be other rides. They had sort of chairs (like waltzers) when I last went on hols. He could go in with one of you - you could then have a word with the boatman to take it easy. It will still be fun (trust me) and even a bit scary. As others say, watch first and chat with the boatman, speak to the rep (if you have one). Depends on where you are going, too. You will find that there is naff all H and S in some countries.

Good to hear that you are not leaving your common sense with us here, in the rain.

Chubfuddler · 08/08/2012 03:25

Check your travel insurance. If its not covered, don't do it.

FrizzyFrazzled · 08/08/2012 03:36

I went on one when I was nine. If there are life jackets etc, I wouldn;t have a problem with it.

Original poster
StartRight · 08/08/2012 11:18

Thanks very much for the advice.

SomedayIllFlyaway thanks fort he information. I have decided he is definitely not going on one as it is not worth the risk.

There will be plenty of other activities he can do instead.

OP posts:
Bathjelly · 08/08/2012 13:28

You might want to consider getting one of those life jackets with a bit that fastens underneath him, so that he's more secure in his life jacket. (For your peace of mind too!)

honeytea · 08/08/2012 14:14

I would be very worried about doing it. each contry has its own health and safety rules, where as in the uk you can be pretty certain you won't be allowed to do something if it isn't safe in scandinavia for example they have no such rules you are supposed to use your common sense. I took my little sister (7) to lapland and let her go on a childrens snow mobile, she crashed into a crowd of people, i guess it is normal to be able to drive a snowmobile at 7 in Sweden but not in the south west of the UK.

GrimmaTheNome · 08/08/2012 14:33

one of those life jackets with a bit that fastens underneath him

What DD calls a 'wedgie strap'. All kids BAs should have them really. Keeps the thing on when they get hauled out of the water.

At 8 they can start to do real watersports not just being dragged around by a motorboat... though I suppose with that you've got proper instructors who are highly safety-aware.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread