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Original poster

Waterpark holiday & DS' friend can't swim

166 replies

LittleMissSandy · 14/07/2016 10:15

DS(10) is an only child and so for our holiday this year we invited a friend of his to come along at our own expense.

We're going to an all inclusive water park in Spain, great slides, lots of water etc so I just naturally assumed that the friend could swim, until this morning at the gates when friend's Mum asked if he'd be able to wear arm bands on the water slides Confused

I was so taken aback, I said I wasn't sure & that I would double check. Their doesn't actually seem to be anything about it on the website, does anyone know if children can wear arm bands on large water slides? Their are lots of small rides that I'm sure they could go on but the whole point of inviting a friend was so that they could spend the days together and go on all the rides.

We leave on Saturday, so far too late to do anything now.

OP posts:
KoalaDownUnder · 14/07/2016 12:48

I have looked at the photos. Some do, some don't. The ones that a child over the age of 5 would be excited about? Don't.

How is the OP supposed to ensure this kid doesn't go on any of the ones that don't?

MissDuke · 14/07/2016 12:48

Op it sounds like you invited this boy along so that he would keep your ds company so that you can chill out yourself? Surely it would have been an idea in that case to have specifically asked about whether he likes water parks etc? Some children just don't like big slides, regardless of swimming ability. Doesn't mean he won't enjoy the smaller slides. Bit unfair to not want to bring him just because he mightn't be able to ride every single slide. Personally I wouldn't consider leaving children unsupervised for prolonged periods in a place like this, regardless of their swimming ability. We are just back form a place like this with our three children, none of whom are good swimmers, we had a great time. Yes they required supervision, but we would be doing that anyway tbh...

MissDuke · 14/07/2016 12:50

Koala, maybe by telling him not to? I am quite sure that ten year olds are capable of following instructions!

KoalaDownUnder · 14/07/2016 12:50

(I'm basing this on my experience at Waterbom Park, in Bali, which seems pretty similar to this place.)

Cagliostro · 14/07/2016 12:51

Yikes. She should've said something earlier. It's not like she didn't know you were going to somewhere he'd have to swim Confused

Seacrets · 14/07/2016 12:52

The great thing about water parks when my DC were that age was being able to give them freedom to wander, knowing they could both swim. I've been to many water parks but not this one. Things they are usually strict about are not allowing sunglasses, shoes or tee shirts to be worn. I don't recall seeing floating jackets but I suspect that if they are wearing one the life guards wouldn't let them on any but the tamest slides, which might be disappointing.

DubiousCredentials · 14/07/2016 12:52

Does the boy know he may have to wear arm bands or the floatation vest? Because my nearly ten year old would absolutely hate to be put in something he would consider to be for toddlers. I actually think he would prefer to stay in the shallow areas than wear one even if it meant missing out on the slides.

I would absolutely not want to be responsible for a non swimmer in the type of pools you describe. Other than my own obv. But they can both swim.

KoalaDownUnder · 14/07/2016 12:56

MissDuke, 'capable' has nothing to do with it.

We don't know how obedient this child is, especially when all the other kids his age are going on the bigger slides, etc. and he's running round excited at a fun park.

It's not a risk I would be taking, that's all.

CalmItKermitt · 14/07/2016 12:58

I've been there and I can swim but I hate big slides because you come out like a bloody bullet, often land upside down, get all disorientated and end up emerging spluttering and semi drowned.

HarryPottersMagicWand · 14/07/2016 12:59

I went to a water park in Spain (not this one) and I came off a slide into shape, low water. Thing it shoots you out with such force that you do go under. It also forced my bikini top off but thankfully I realised while under the water!

I wear glasses and wasn't even allowed in the swimming pools with them on. They are very strict.

HarryPottersMagicWand · 14/07/2016 12:59

Shape low? shallow ffs.

bumblefeline · 14/07/2016 13:00

What a shame the mum never mentioned it before. My 9 year old can't swim well and I would not be happy about her being unsupervised around that waterpark. You can't really relax now and let them play.

You will have to hire one of the life jackets for him. The lifeguards are very strict at Portaventura.

AdjustableWench · 14/07/2016 13:02

My 11 year-old couldn't really swim until a couple of months ago (he has dyspraxia and was slow to learn). But he was confident in the water and able to stay afloat indefinitely, which meant he was just fine in water parks. I think you need a clearer idea of what 'can't really swim' actually means.

CalmItKermitt · 14/07/2016 13:02

Yes I don't think you can wear glasses or goggles. Another reason I don't like them. I hate water in my eyes.

I enjoy gently bobbing and rotating along in a giant tyre despite the fact that is impossible to get in or out gracefully.

imjessie · 14/07/2016 13:04

You are taking a non swimmer abroad to Spain . Portaventura is very relaxed , they do have lifeguards but you are responsible for the child to be honest . I'm not a panicker but this is worrying me .!

Biscuitsneeded · 14/07/2016 13:05

OP I think on the first day you need to stay away from the water park and just find a normal pool, assess the situation and if necessary teach the boy to swim. At 10 if they don't have any medical or physical issues I'm sure they can learn to doggy paddle the width of a pool. Be clear that until you see evidence he can swim a width you're not happy to let him on the slides. Maybe his Mum has never taken him swimming so assumes he can't, but he may have learned at least the basics at school lessons. Then get your DS to test drive every slide first to say whether or not you need to be able to swim well, and lay down rules if there are any the boy shouldn't be going on. The other mum has been irresponsible not telling you, but it may well be that he can actually swim reasonably if not well and she's just having a wobble about her baby going away and all the things that could potentially happen.

Hereforthebeer · 14/07/2016 13:06

I've never heard of a 'waterpark holiday' do you mean you are visiting a waterpark when you are on holiday...
If you are visiting a waterpark then float jackets might be ok. Although he won't be allowed down all the rides and sometimes they are funny about zips etc incase they get caught, so he needs to find a velcro one.

queenoftheboys · 14/07/2016 13:08

The vast majority of those slides end in a flat section in v shallow water - very similar to the water park we went to on the Gold Coast (Aust) and non/weak swimmers would be fine. I'd just tell them not to go in the wave pool, or deep water.

In fact thinking about it, I'd actually be nervous taking even a strong swimming child belonging to someone else, and probably walk around with them, but that's just me.

Since the parent was well aware this was a water park holiday where they'd be wandering about alone surely SURELY she'd have said earlier if he actually couldn't swim at all, and is just getting nervous as the time approaches?

nickEcave · 14/07/2016 13:08

I agree you need more information about what "can't really swim" means. My 9 year old DD fails the swimming proficiency tests at our local pool because she can't swim a length doing a neat breast stroke/crawl. However she can swim several lengths doing back stroke or a doggy paddle style breast stroke, is confident in deep water and wouldn't be fazed by getting dunked underwater. It is possible that the mother just means the child can't swim lengths using a recognised stroke which wouldn't stop him being OK at the water park where he wouldn't need to swim long distances. It is more about water confidence.

DiddlySqeak · 14/07/2016 13:09

Koala. I can't find a picture of a slide there that goes into deep water. I've had a good look. I guess there could be one but all the ones I can see on YouTube or in photos go into shallow water.

avocadosweet · 14/07/2016 13:17

It looks amazing. The website specifies which slides you can go on with the life jackets you hire from them, and it's none of the "thrill seeker" ones.

KoalaDownUnder · 14/07/2016 13:21

Diddly, as I said earlier - even if that's the case, it's not just the slides, though. There are pools there, including wave pools.

I would not take a child whose own mother said 'can't really swim' on a holiday that involves a swimming pool, let alone a waterpark. That's just me.

wornoutboots · 14/07/2016 13:21

I can't swim but never had any problem with water slides/flumes etc. as a teenager. I'm only 5'1 so a lot of 10 year olds are about my height already, I'm sure it'll be fine.

handslikecowstits · 14/07/2016 13:24

Swim vest or he doesn't go IMO.

I don't think you've done anything wrong OP.

arethereanyleftatall · 14/07/2016 13:27

The other mother (and possibly father) is beyond bonkers. Who would allow their child to go on such a holiday with someone else? And, they have been appallingly rude to not tell you, so now it's your problem.