What age would you let your DC swim in the sea by themselves

[Seawars]

DC are good swimmers though not used to swimming in the sea. Sea quite a long way out and adults sat up the other end of the beach - so DC in sight but as the beach is busy it is hard to keep track of them. Children swimming properly (not just paddling) with body boards etc - though they've been told not to go out of their depth.
What age would you let them do this?

I'm intrigued as me and my friend clearly had totally different expectations about this on Saturday - despite my DC being the stronger swimmers.

Maybe 12.

I’d let from age 8 in the water without me being right there, but I’d be on the shoreline, close enough to call to them.

Honestly sea swimming is dangerous even for adults, I think until they were late teens I would be making sure I was keeping a close eye on them

I don't think it's really an age thing as even adults get into trouble In the sea when they are strong swimmers They must have the little jacket things on and have an adult with them to make sure they don't go too far out and can't get back

No advice but interested in the responses. DS is 10 and has completed all of his swimming awards and no swims for a club. Even so the thought of him being in the sea with a body board without me close by scares the life out of me. I think I'm probably too protective but curious about the replies.

I think there is a world of difference between being a good swimmer in a pool environment on being mature and calm enough to know what to do if you get into difficulty in the sea.

Not used to the sea 12-14 depending on the child. I live and grew up on the coast the amount of people (adults and children) I have rescued is considerable. Plus I'd make sure they were together and inside the red and yellow flags.

Too many variables, lifeguard beach? Tide times, known for riptides, life jackets?

But ultimately none of the children are strong enough for the sea.

Mine are 14 and 12 and I'm still at the shoreline watching. I don't let them go out beyond earshot.

Is this a beach with permitted swimming, flags and lifeguards?

10 as long as there was a group of them together.

My dd was 15 before I could sit back back and read a book and let her go surfing/body boarding without me and that depends on the beach. Cornish beach like Perranporth - no chance, Woolacombe where it's so shallow and she's in the flags, yes. Happy for her to do SUP in beaches like Weymouth without me keeping a constant eye now too but she has a PFD on and seas like Weymouth I was probably more relaxed when she was secondary age but now she's 16/16 I'm really more comfortable with reading a book whilst she's off.

I’ve let mine go at around 8, but only to waist depth, inevitability went slightly deeper, but not much, kept eyes on them and beckoned back when moved a distance along coast. Actual swimming so they don’t really know if in depth? Not sure I’d ever be that confident really.

25

Depends on the beach and child.

Even with lifeguards I would be watching. It’s easy for even good adult swimmers to get into trouble in the sea.

I still watch DD2 in the sea like a hawk and she's 14! I watch less closely if she's with DD1 who's 18.

Never.

I have swum in the sea all my life, and often went for a solo swim in years past (always telling someone I was going but not necessarily having anyone watching me). I shudder at how cavalier I was.

I am just back from a seaside holiday and I stood and watched my teen & pre-teen DC every time they went in the sea; when paddle boarding they had to wear life jackets, mostly.

This is due to much more awareness of how treacherous the sea & lakes are, and sadly every summer there are drownings in areas which seem completely safe, and where the individuals did nothing inherently risky.

Never leave them swim unsupervised and in direct eye contact & reach. And always have a plan about what you'll do if someone gets into difficulty.

This.

Last summer I watched with my heart in my mouth a boy of around 12 or 13 being pulled out of the sea by a lifeguard. I don't know what exactly happened, but just a few minutes before I had seen him swimming around confidently - he was obviously a strong swimmer who got into difficulties. Parents were quite slow to notice him being rescued and get to over to him.

Sea swimming is dangerous and things can change in minutes.

I cannot believe this.

I think there is a world of difference between being a good swimmer in a pool environment on being mature and calm enough to know what to do if you get into difficulty in the sea.

This is pretty much exactly what I was going to post. It doesn't matter how confidentyour child is in a pool the sea is unpredictable and even adults can find themselves in trouble.

I'd be waiting until they were at least 13/14 for anything more than staying near the shore and even then I'd want to be much closer to the shoreline to keep an eye on them

I live by the sea, we see accidents every year and tragedies on occasion. I know how dangerous the sea can be and how quickly things can change. There is no age I would let them go in the sea and properly swim on their own,, up to 16 if I'm there I go in the sea with them.

The previous poster who said eight. That is ridiculous

I will watch them closely in the sea until they leave home at 18. Sea swimming is dangerous

Never!

Thanks for the reaponses - very interesting. No lifeguard present and no flags. The oldest child was 10 - and highly likely to panic if there's a problem. (I can say that as they are mine!)

Neither can I