Water sports, am I right to be concerned?

[PFBorrighttoworry]

DD is on a watersports holiday. She called in tears saying that they'd done banana boating and it capsized onto them. She said it later got caught in a buoy. I've seen these at holiday resorts, but have never been on one, it's just not my thing. Do they often capsize? Should I be worried.

To give some context, she's been on lots of these holidays, but this is at a different centre. She's not having a great time this year. She also went onto tell me that the instructors are all complaining about their jobs, which has upset her. She is super sensitive.

I just have this knot in my stomach. I don't know if it's just because it's horrible talking to a sobbing child and not being there, or whether I should be worried about safety? I'm also not confident in water at all, so find that aspect impossible to judge.

How old is she?

I thought this was a post about sex. Never mind..

Poor DD and poor you - those calls are tough!

The point of banana boats is kinda that they capsize - they’re like a big inflatable that you sit on, it gets pulled by a boat and everyone giggles when they get thrown off… or not. In general they’re really fun but I can see how they’d be nerve wracking if she’s not confident about it.

Regardless of that one activity - if she’s not enjoying it, can she come home?

wizzywig
Ha ha, sorry to disappoint!
I'll post something filthy for you once I've stopped worrying about this.

Comedycook she's 10.

Well It is kind of the point of them. Was it in the sea or on a lake?

I wouldn't let my ten year olds do it but I have had a very bad experience breaking my nose on someone's shinbone when it flipped. I was 18.

I thought the idea was you are supposed to come off at a rate of knotts and faceplant the water. That was the most fun bit. If she wanted to float around then buy a lilo.

It was in the sea.

They’re supposed to capsize. She can say no to the next one. Has she been away from you before? Is it homesickness? Or just a shit holiday camp?

Ta Welshiefluff somehow that's sort of helped!

She's been away lots, I think itight be a bit shit, that's why after what happened I was wondering about safety, but it sounds like capsizing is normal.

I assume she was wearing a buoyancy aid. I understand why you are nervous and maybe she's never been on one before so it can seem scary when you get thrown in the sea. And if she was screaming with laughter or fear then getting a mouthful of water won't have been nice.
But - she will (I hope) have been wearing a vest so that will have kept her safe.
And next time she'll be prepared for what is supposed to happen.
I hope she can continue with the holiday and enjoy herself.

who is she with?

@wizzywig

I thought this was a post about sex. Never mind..

🤣

If she is 10 and not enjoying it and morale is not good there then honestly I think you need to offer to go pick her up. The banana boat is meant to capsize but a lot of kids her age wouldn't like it.

I think it’s pretty common for them to capsize. Having said that, I remember as a kid my cousin had a school friend who died in an accident on holiday on one of them. At a guess, I’d say it was about 1995. I was probably somewhere between 7 and 9 at the time. My mum would never let us on one as a result, and I’ve always thought of them as really dangerous. I don’t know if they are statistically that dangerous but that story has always stuck with me. If you’re not convinced that they are taking safety seriously I’d not let her out on the water again.

it doesn't sound like they are giving the kids their full attention? I think I'd be a bit concerned too.

I would go and collect a sobbing 10 year old. Why is she on a water sports holiday without you?

Why is she on a water sports holiday without you?
It's a kid's activity holiday. She goes every year and usually really loves it, but this is a different course from the one she's done beforehand.

@GoWalkabout

If she is 10 and not enjoying it and morale is not good there then honestly I think you need to offer to go pick her up. The banana boat is meant to capsize but a lot of kids her age wouldn't like it.

Agree...I'd probably speak to her tomorrow. If she's perked up, I'd leave her. If not, I'd definitely get here. She's still so young to be upset away from home.

@54321nought

I would go and collect a sobbing 10 year old. Why is she on a water sports holiday without you?

Same reason lots of kids go to holiday camp... either for fun or becayse their parents have to work! They're FOR children, not families!!

Same reason lots of kids go to holiday camp... either for fun or becayse their parents have to work! They're FOR children, not families!!

its very young

How long is it?

We can't tell you whether she is safe or not. Others telling you they got hit on the head with a banana boat too wouldn't tell you she is safe. And it's all shades of grey - watersports are always more dangerous than chess.

She will probably be fine but I would be inclined to collect her if she wants to come home, or at least say give it x more time then I will collect you if you still want me to.

I think it's worth playing a really long game with older kids and childcare. If she's unhappy or feels unsafe and she stays, she might well see out the week but then refuse to ever go again. Better to knock this one on the head early and retain her trust for next time.

@wizzywig

I thought this was a post about sex. Never mind..

Me too.🙈

There is a reason that being towed behind a speeding vehicle is banned by certain youth groups

@PFBorrighttoworry

Why is she on a water sports holiday without you? It's a kid's activity holiday. She goes every year and usually really loves it, but this is a different course from the one she's done beforehand.

If she's 10 and goes 'every year' how old was she when she started going on these camps? 10 seems very young for a residential camp without parents, 7/8/9 even morseso. I would collect her if she's sobbing down the phone to you.