Age restriction at Discover Cove?

[ragamuffinkim]

Does anyone know why children have to be 6 years old to swim with the dolphins? Is it a size issue? Or a maturity issue? My guy turns 6 in the fall but he is very very tiny. He wieghs 25 pounds and is about 35" tall. He is about the size of a two year old. As soon as he opens his mouth and starts talking it is obvious that he is not two. She I pass on the Dolphin Swim for him? If I do decide to let him in on the swim, will I need to prove that he is indeed 6 years old?

 

[gw_lit]

I'd suggest a call to the folks at Discovery Cove, they'll be able to answer your questions/concerns.

 

[aprincessmom]

You have to stand at the edge of the drop off (water came to DD's chin and she was over 4 feet tall at the time) and swim for a distance in very deep water (10-15 feet deep if I remember correctly). I think the restriction is for safety reasons -- most 6 year olds aren't tall enough to stand up comfortably in the water at the edge of the drop off or swim a great distance in deep water without floats/life jackets.

 

[ragamuffinkim]

Ok. Called Discovery Cove and talked to a nice lady who told me that the age restriction is just for insurance reasons. Looks like we're in for a trip to Discovery Cove!

 

[kieras nana]

we took our grandaughter,on nov 3rd,last year.she had turned 6,on the 16th oct.she is quite tall,for her age,but i had to lift her up,in the water,when we had to stand,as the water, came just up to, her chin,so when it lapped,it came over her mouth.
i did this by,standing with my legs bent,then she stood,on my legs,if this makes sense.it wasn't ideal,but there's no way,i wouldv'e missed out,on discovery cove,as we don't know,when we will return & it was something,me & my husband,wanted to experience,with her!
tracy

 

[Louissa]

My DD was 6 last year and also small for her age, about 32lbs at the time, we chose not to have her do the dolphin swim because she cannot swim unaided and I felt it would have been too scarey for her.

After doing it myself I was glad I made that choice, she was happy to watch with her dad on the beach, the water where you stand would have been too deep for her to stand without being lifted a little and I think she'd have been too nervous with the depth of the water to really enjoy it.

She did however have an absolute blast in every other area of DC and wants to go back this year and has shown no interest in the dolphin swim.