Slipping off a Banana

[pja925]

We are considering doing the banana boat type ride at Cast Away Cay. Considering my families luck we will more than likely be bounced off the banana at some point. What we are wondering is how tough is it to get back onto the inflatable banana or if its even possible?[/FONT]

 

[jennat]

There is a whole thread on this on a sticky above called great links or something (top of this forum). I just asked this questiona couple days ago..Short answer is it is not to hard. There is a lot of info on the thread though.

 

[pja925]

Thank you for the information. We just spent 30 minutes reading and enjoying all of the responses. Although I am still curious to find out how embarrassing it is to get back onto the bb and if anyone had any problems getting a life jacket that fit given a few in our party are "pooh sized" people.

 

[SeaSpray]

There is a large piece of rubber in between the 2 "bananas", sort of like a rubber sheet that you rest your inside foot on, so just make sure you fall IN towards the center, and then you can just get back into your seat. If you fall off all together, I don't know how easy it'd be to get back on. lol I think Verandah Man said he fell off all the way and didn't have a hard time getting back on, but I don't think I personally would've had an easy time of it.

P.S. One major word of warning: DO NOT USE SUNTAN OIL if you are going on this ride! The lady next to me had on a lot of slippery oil and literally could not stay seated in her spot. Even when those of us sitting around her grabbed her hands and tried to help her get back into her seat, she had a very difficult time because she couldn't get a grip. This woman was NOT a large person, either. She was about average weight, average height, etc. so it had nothing to do with being a big person or a small person.

 

[LakeAriel]

About 10 years ago my daughter went to Paradise Island with a friend. The banana boat operator was going too fast and took a turn quickly capsizing the boat! Her friend landed on top of her and her back was badly hurt. The Sheraton where she was staying was not very cooperative. I actually had to call the US Embassy to get her proper medical attention. (She was 19) The hotel said the operators are independent so enjoy at your own risk. Though her vacation was ruined she recovered. Everyone on the banana boat went into the water including children, so I would exersise caution!

 

[Gupsmom]

Are the banana boat rides inside the protected lagoon or out in the open water? I'd really love to take my son, but I'm a bit freak out about him falling off in "unprotected" water....even though I know, logically, that he'd be fine.

Jess

 

[justmestace]

The Banana Boats go out past the ship...yes, in "unprotected" water. The drivers are usually very careful, especially if there are children on board. There is an age limit, maybe 8 yrs?

They have life jackets that fit all sizes....we have several "Pooh" sizes in our family!
One of the most important things to remember is to lean IN....inside the banana boat. It's not the same as just riding on a tube...there is an "inside".
We had a couple of family members fall off (we were the last ride of the day and convinced the driver we could handle a wild ride....LOL!) but they didn't have them get back on the banana boat, they lifted the two onto their boat (the one that pulls the banana boat).
I didn't think I would do well on this, before I had ever done it.....I'm not strong and don't have good balance....but I LOVE it!

 

[inkkognito]

My husband has done the banana boat a couple of times, and he fell off once and lost his contact lens! He had no problems reboarding, but the lens was gone for good in the ocean. Thank goodness both he and I have had Lasik now...no more worries about the water.
Barb

 

[jennat]

Okay the slippery woman story with the suntan oil totally cracked me up. I was laughing out loud! What a visual! Thanks for the laugh. I am the one in the long post on this that was tramatized when I was younger not being able to get back on, so I am with you pga925. i am not huge just don't want to look the fool with my big backside weighing me down. maybe I will lather up and blame it on the oil. Ewww I'm sooo slippery.

 

[SeaSpray]

Okay the slippery woman story with the suntan oil totally cracked me up. I was laughing out loud! What a visual! Thanks for the laugh. I am the one in the long post on this that was tramatized when I was younger not being able to get back on, so I am with you pga925. i am not huge just don't want to look the fool with my big backside weighing me down. maybe I will lather up and blame it on the oil. Ewww I'm sooo slippery.

If you think it's funny NOW, you should've been there! I was laughing so hard that I was having trouble holding on myself!!! It would've been priceless if someone had a video camera going! As soon as the drivers got up to even a low speed, this lady was AIR BORN! Even now DH, DSs, and I crack up remembering it! The lady did not get hurt at all by the way, except maybe her dignity! Otherwise, I wouldn't be laughing at her. But even she was laughing at what was happening!! Eventually they just had her walk down the middle of the 2 bananas and she got into the regular boat with them so we could continue with the ride. They must've stopped at least 5 times in order to let her get up off the middle and get back onto her seat.

 

[mommasita]

Having a crazy day laughing at this

Have always wanted to try this, and have seen people on CC fall off. I have a lot of dignity too, and think will wait for my darlings to BOTH be old enough to ride it...


Still roaring here, and my darlings are ready to commit me...

Have a GREAT weekend all..

 

[SeaSpray]

On a positive note: Because that lady didn't finish the ride on the banana itself, I have an EXCELLENT shot of my family on the banana boat, taken by one of the professional photographers who was standing in the water at the end of our ride, and you can see DS16 and DH clearly, and then in the "back row" you can see myself and DS13 fully because of the missing lady!!!