Shark Reef for beginning swimmer?

[Synonymous]

My DD is 6 and a beginner as a swimmer. She can move herself around the pool pretty well, including the deep end, but still needs close supervision.

She is dying to do Shark Reef at Typhoon Lagoon. How good of a swimmer do you need to be to do this? How deep is the water? Can you stop along the way and hold on to the side if you need to? Can I swim next to her and help her out if she needs it?

Thanks...

 

[whozit]

You don't really have to be a swimmer at all. They have floatation vests for anyone (adult or child) that wants to wear them. When you first get in the water it is just 2-3 feet deep, but there is a big drop off (to 10+ feet). Usually the problem anovice swimmer has is getting their head out of the water to breathe. At the Shark Reef, you have a mask and snorkel, so breathing isn't a problem. Also, they ask you NOT to kick you feet, so you really just slowly move forward using your arms. Remember, you want to go slow so you can watch the fish the longest amount of time. There isn't anyplace to stop and rest, but it isn't that far, and since you really are just kind of floating on the surface, it isn't a problem. You can even hold her hand while the two of you slowly move along.

There is also an area where you can view the fish (and snorkelers) through glass.

 

[10drum]

The issued wet suit is pretty bouyant and works like a life vest and you can go together. You are not suppose to stop on the way across, but you can stay close to the edge.

I'm not sure how deep it is (at least 10'), and there are no shallow places to stop either.

The cast members are great, and I'm sure they would be willing to help her accross. It's worth a try. My DS and I love it.

 

[Synonymous]

Thank you both for the responses. I feel alot better about it now.

 

[TimeWarp]

This is an attraction that my two sons were anxious to try when we went in 2001. My 8 year old actually had a problem with this. He was a novice-to-good swimmer. He was wearing a life vest but the "not kicking your feet" scared him when he got to the middle and the CM was yelling "you can't stop". Anyway, my DH helped our 9 year old across and that went OK. We didn't try it again. There was only 1 CM there and he wasn't offering any help. We didn't see any flotation devices except for the life vest. There were no body board type floats. If I was going again, I would do it first and let the children watch me and then go back across with them. Good Luck.

 

[joyjoy]

There are no other flotation devices other than the vests. I'm sure they don't want a lot of stuff in the water that you can bump other people with as it is pretty crowded - usually a constant stream of people swimming along with their arms. The last time I did the shark reef (2 years ago) there was a "stopping" place. It was a big rock in the middle where you could land if you got into trouble. They don't want you hanging out there, though. The whole idea is to keep moving so others and get in behind you. Also, the water is quite cold.

That said, I think it's the coolest thing at Typhoon Lagoon. There were lots of little kids doing it and I didn't see any of them freak out.

 

[ariel3]

does anyone know what the youngest age is to do the shark reef? my youngest is 3-1/2 and i'm betting she is too young.
thanks in advance.

 

[fklhou]

Is your DS comfortable with a mask and a snorkle? You need to be able to snorkle some to enjoy this attraction.

This is a great attraction and I saw plenty of younger people in it when we did it several years back.

 

[JulieWent]

We got our DS (age 8) a cheap mask and snorkel last spring before we went so that he'd feel comfortable with the whole thing. It was great because he knew just what to do when he got there and got one of their masks / snorkels. (The set we bought was about $6, but it was definitely worth it.)

Julie

 

[Momto8]

The last time I did the shark reef (2 years ago) there was a "stopping" place. It was a big rock in the middle where you could land if you got into trouble. They don't want you hanging out there, though.

I remember the CM telling us not to step on the rock in the middle. They don't want you to stop but to keep going until you reach the other side.

I also advise you to buy a cheap mask and snorkel to have your daughter practice with. A couple of years ago, our niece, who was 11 at the time, freaked out while trying this, didn't get very far, and gave up. She is a good swimmer but I don't think she understood how to use the mask and snorkel. Because she panicked, the next year she refused to try it again. I know I had a little difficulty the first time myself. But my DD who was also 11 at the time, had no problem with it (she had never been snorkeling before). Also they don't want you to kick your legs, but to just use your arms, so you kind of float along the way and it is very deep (except over the rock).

 

[whozit]

We had heard that the Shark Reef can get quite crowded so that was our first stop (and we were at TL when it opened). Going there first did let us beat the crowd....we walked right up, when you get to the water, the CM gives an orientation (it is very short, and if you've been through it before, you don't have to listen to it) explaining how to use the mask and snorkel, and the no kicking/no stopping). Then we went in. There was still no line, so we went back through (no orientation this time), we probably went through it 5 times before any line began to build, at that point, we moved on. By doing this first, you'll beat the crowds here (but, remember the lines will be building on the other popular attractions....speed slides, etc.)

 

[candleonwater]

Do the vests fit pooh sized folk?

I'm not worried about DD (6) - when we went on DCL, she took to snorkeling like a fish to water!

 

[jdads2]

candleonwater, I am a short fat guy... who dressed like Pooh at the halloween party a couple of years ago. The vest fit fine.

My 5 yr old daughter panicked a little. A CM and my DW helped her get through it. She went on again but didn't like it much. It wasn't because of the vest or the floating. We have a pool and she uses a face mask in our pool, no snorkel. I think she was very uncomfortable breathing through the snorkel and the VERY chilly water. The feeling of being far off the ground may have contributed to her panic. I think that she would have been fine if she was allowed to not use the snorkel and just brought her head out of the water to breath. She tried that and choked when the snorkel got water in it. My 2 boys, 8 and 11, were fine with it...heck they were great. I couldn't get them out of line.

 

[jeankeri]

Shark Reef was my DS8's top pick for WDW, but we crossed it off the list because Birnbaum's lists the minimum age as ten. Is that age requirement posted anywhere at TL, or is the info in the guide incorrect? My DS would so LOVE this, but I don't want to get his hopes up (although it sounds from the posts that many younger than ten have gone.) Has anyone been turned away for age? He is very confident/capable with snorkeling.