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.

Never seen anyone use anything like that swimming in lakes in my country. When I need a rest I just flip onto my back and float.

@Natsku most lakes if you flip on your back you will have a lifeguard out to check on you. You're only allowed to float on your back near the place you get in. You're told to float on your back if you get into trouble.

Never

Where are these lakes with lifeguards?

About 15 and that depends on the tide,current,environments and who is around.
All too easy to get swept away and go out too far.

I want to say never as I can’t imagine not wanting to get in too! Swimming in the sea is the best.

I think unless you’re an amazing, competitive swimmer and know the area, it’s best to have a buddy swim in the sea with you. Even as an adult. But I would let 13 yo dd go in with someone who wasn’t a parent / not directly responsible for her, like a cousin. Dd is an excellent swimmer.

Im quite amazed at people saying 10 which to me is too young.

I was brought up in a seaside town and spent all the summer on the beach. This was the 70s and 80s. There were no lifeguards and the sea was considered to be 'safe' where I lived. My parents were brought up in the war years when the beach was fenced off and they never learned to swim and there were no public baths.

We knew how tides worked and we would always check the depth of the sea whilst swimming. Risk can never be eliminated but can be reduced by making sensible judgement.

My greater concern is when I see people dodging stormy seas with waves breaking over their heads.

Im quite amazed at people saying 10 which to me is too young

But you don't know what sea, what beach, what conditions, their abilities....so how can you possibly judge?

There's no "allowed" or "not allowed" in the lakes where I live, or lifeguards, we're just expected to take responsibility for ourselves.
I float on my back to relax and watch the clouds go by - its the best thing ever, more comfortable than any bed so long as its not cold.

Being a strong swimmer doesn’t stop cold water shock. It doesn’t stop you panicking if you get caught in a strong current. Being a strong swimmer may make you take more risks. If you know you’re a shit swimmer maybe you stay where you can stand

You read lots of stories of fathers dying saving their children. I’m sure these grown men were strong swimmers too.

You also need to factor in the young/teenage brain taking unnecessary risks. Or panicking in some situations.

10 is far too young and I’ll watch mine until they are adults (and even then if I happen to be with me even then - just like DH keeps an eye on me).

@Whatalovelydaffodil there are two near me and loads posted in my open water swimming group on fb around the country.

@Natsku I'd rather pay the 6 quid and know there are 4 life guards around and only swim on my back in the part around the jetty. I like feeling safe when I'm out of my depth.

The 16 &18yo can get themselves there and back without me, so I have to trust them to be sensible. If my 12yo is in the sea, I am in with him, or standing in the shallows watching. I grew up by the sea and I respect it.

@MaxOverTheMoon that's fine, good that they have that option there, doesn't exist here (but the idea of paying money to swim in a lake here would never go down here, its our right to swim in lakes freely). I'm perfectly happy swimming at the lake down the road with no life guards, but not for my children to swim there alone yet (though I have to accept that my daughter will swim in the lake without me at scout camp, but there will be someone supervising at least even if not in there with them)

I'm not sure at any age, at least not if part of a group. Would depend on location perhaps.

I think it's too dangerous. There's been a news story local to me I've been following about a young man who has sadly been found dead after going missing swimming. His social media suggests he was a strong swimmer and surfer and spent a lot of time in the water. So if this has happened to him, it could happen to anyone.

Being a strong swimmer is irrelevant if you have have no knowledge of the sea you're in and anything could happen regardless of pool swimming ability. I doubt the strongest swimmer is stronger than many of the currents.