To turn two Y5 boys loose in an indoor water park?

[DrSeuss]

Last time we went, DS and friend went on the rides, (life guard top and bottom of each slide, both boys good swimmers and fairly sensible) while I was in the toddler area with DD. A good time had by all.

Today I suggested that I take a friend's son also ten, during half term, explaining that they would be on the rides with me immediately findable in the toddler area. No good, they must be with an adult at all times, she says. There is no way they can fall off a slide, they are tubes. They can't get out of the centre. I can't take DD on the rides, she's too short.
Is it irresponsible to just turn them loose?

You sound like a kind friend DrSuess

Thank you. Actually, it would work well all round, a play mate for my son so that he is happy, a trip my friend needn't go on when she'd rather not.

I regularly take kids that age to our local pool which has various big slides and features and stuff, myself and the other adults sit on the side and the kids know where we are, but due to the layout we can't see them unless they're in one particular spot, but there are multiple life guards, I've seen their quick reaction to a (much younger) child in difficulties, they're generally in groups with their friends, not an issue

So so far. But I really want to go!

Thanks for link but sadly mile and miles away for me. South east. Sob!! My nearest one is 50mins away and it isn't great. Only average.

My kids love Wet'n'Wild and I'd have no issue at all letting my 10 yr old go off with a friend on the slides. Yes, it's very busy but as long as they're sensible they'll be fine. Saves me climbing those bloody stairs!

I've often unleashed 25-30 children aged 7-13 into water pools unsupervised (couple of younger adults in the pool if there are 7 year olds on the trip but there aren't always).

YANBU

We went to a good water park in Staffordshire and another near Bournemouth, if that helps.

Ds is in year 5 and I would not hesitate to let him go somewhere like that with a friend. I don't think he'd go somewhere unfamiliar for the first time and have to negotiate the changing rooms / lockers etc alone but if would be fine if an adult was with him then and then went in the pool with a friend.

I'm a single parent and would be delighted if someone offered to take him for the day - is it too far for you to collect him from Surrey OP ?

Will they stick together and look out for each other?
Can they generally cope in an emergency, do they know what to do?
Can you give them some guidelines and have them stick to them?

If so, let them get on with it.

My dds and their friends have been negotiating the rides at Splashdown in Poole on their own since they were 8/9 (with parents in close proximity but not actually going on the slides with them iyswim) - it's absolutely the norm there.