How strong must you be to swim with dolphins?

[Cinderella2004]

Hi!

I have a kind of weird question.....I'll ask and then explain.......

How strong must you be to do the dolphin swim? Do you really hold on with both arms? Or just one?

The reason I'm asking is that my DD, who will be turning 7 when we are there, just broke her arm ......She is a very strong, athletic girl, whom I expect to heal quickly. She did need surgery on the arm, and 2 pins were placed. I suspect I will have a definitive answer on Monday, when we see the Orthopedic surgeon, but I was kind of hoping for a little info for now.

Thanks in advance!

 

[DVCconvert]

How strong must you be to do the dolphin swim? Do you really hold on with both arms? Or just one?

I think it's recommended that you have biceps of steel, at least 15" - cold!
Can she curl 1/2 her body weight with one arm??....Can she beat DH in arm wrestling??

--Seriously, personally, I would not recommend anyone (male or female) do this if there has been a recent bone fracture. Granted, the youth heal quicker than the older, but they are also more likely to encure 'green stick' fractures, because their bones have not yet fully developed. IMHO, is she were my DD, I'd have her avoid this for the time being.

HTH

 

[goldcupmom]

We did 2 different swims when we did trainer for a day. One you held on with one arm on the dorsal fin, one on the other (side) fin. Then we did one where we were between 2 dolphins and held on to both dorsals. There was a girl barely 6 who did the swim with our group, alone, and she had no problem. You really don't have to hold too tightly I didn't think.

 

[rangebob]

I also agree with not doing it due to the recent broken arm. I think it would be too easy to re-break it again. I would presume that Sea World wouldn't allow it either due to the pins in the arm, and the possibility of injuring the dolphin too.

 

[Cinderella2004]

Thanks for your replies. These were the answers I was suspecting.

This was part of a birthday surprise for my daughter, I'm so happy we had kept the whole trip a surprise. She would be devestated to know she was missing out on "one more thing" (she's missing the rest of soccer and gymnastics this season) And she can't sign up for any summer sports either.

I think we may just have found another reason to visit Florida later this summer!