Almost 6

[Mumof2]

Hi

I have booked the DC swim with Dolphins package for my son's seventh birthday. My huband will join him. Unfortunately my daughter and myself wont be able to, as my Daughter wont be six until 27 August. Our swim date is 3 July.

Thing is, my daughter is actually taller and a little heavier than my son. Infact - most people think she's the older child. How strict are DC about age limits? Would it be worth my while asking them if she can swim?

 

[spiceycat]

I don't know.

if she has the muscle tone (not weight) but muscles of an older child - they probably won't mind.

those dolphins are powerful - I am sure it is done so the dolphin won't accidentally hurt the child.

 

[goldcupmom]

When DD and I did TFAD last year, there was a TINY girl in the group we did our first Dolphin swim with. She was probably six, but more the size of an average 4 year old. Here mom didn't do it, just her, and the trainers, myself and other adults in the group took turns holding her up as she couldn't touch ground securely in the area where the stand and touch part takes place. She didn't have any trouble swimming out to the dolphins,(but a trainer stayed next to her) and she did fine getting pulled in by the dolphin.

Looking at our video, I'm just under 5'4 I'd guess she was maybe 4'.

 

[Bearvet]

We had 2 young children in our group (maybe 6 & 7) and after that experience I wouldn't recommend it at all. Only the Mom swam with them, while the Dad took pictures. As stated above, everyone in the group had to help with the kids, who didn't really seem to enjoy it all that much - they kept wanting to leave. My youngest was 10 at the time and I was glad that I waited until the kids were a bit older. It's too expensive to go there and not have the kids fully appreciate it.

That being said, only you know your own children. It sounds like each child would have an adult with him/her which would be a big help. Are they strong swimmers? Even my 10 y.o. had to redo his dolphin swim because his hand slipped and he did go under water a bit. Would kids this age truly appreciate this experience?

 

[Mumof2]

Oh dear that's made me think. Not sure about this now.

 

[Bearvet]

As I said, only you know your own children and how they would handle these situations. DC and the dolphin swim are fantastic experiences, but very expensive (close to $1000 for your family). The decision is certainly yours to make, but I just wanted to let you know about our experience with 2 small children w/ one parent.