Too old for Jet Ski?

[suwoogie]

We're in our mid 50s and thinking about the jet skis on Castaway Cay. I need to know from you older folks who have tried this weather you think it was a good idea after you did it.

Was it too rough? Bad on your back? What happens if you fall off? Are the sharks waiting for their next meal? I might look juicy to them.

Is it easy to stay on the jet ski? Or will a wave knock me off? Should I let DH drive? (could be dangerous for me)

I really think I want to do this, but I'm hesitating. Talk me into it.

 

[cujobugs]

My father is 66 and his wife is 68. They live on a lake and use jet skis frequently. They love them. As long as you aren't going crazy with them and jumping waves high in the sky, you will love it! Have fun and book it!

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Hey, 50s isn't the least bit old (I'm only 31, but I had to laugh that you called yourselve's old)! You will have a great time on the jet skis. Don't think twice about it and have a great time. If you and DH got separate ones (if finances allow) it would be even more fun. We LOVE jet skiing - you control the speed, and the water near Castaway is not extremely rough (provided there were not recent storms).

Have a great time!!!

 

[musicgirl]

We went to visit my dh uncle and wife this June. We are in our early 40's ,I don't know their exact age, but that should help.

They live on the lake and have jet ski (wave runners). Let's just say that I was the one trying to keep up!!!!! I rode and had a blast. But I had even more fun being pulled on a tube by his wife. She was a maniac!!!! It was very fun.

Unless you have a crazy driver when you sit behind him/her, it is pretty hard to fall off. When I was driving, I never felt like I was going to fall off.

The one thing that I did wrong was thinking that there was a brake. When you go to stop, you release the throttle and you kind of drift to a stop. Well, I was trying to brake (no brake) and I "bumped" into the dock. It really was just a gentle tap!!! From then on, I let go of the throttle, jumped off, and walked it in!!!

 

[suwoogie]

WOW! Thanks for the encouragement. I think it sounds like fun and I will probably go for it. Sharks or no sharks!

 

[alanapapa]

Hi,
I am 45 and according to the kids I work with, I am "over the hill", but my DD11 and I took this excursion at CC in July and had a lot of fun. They worn you to keep distance from the ski ahead and that if you are driving reclessly they WILL take you back and you will forfeit the remainder of the tour. The water is fairly smooth and even going over the wakes of the other ski and boats, the jumps are fantastic. The skis are very easy to control, but I noticed when we got back my forearms were sore from how I was clenching the steering. My DD wants us to buy a jetski now (lots of lakes nearby and of course, Puget Sound). I would say take the tour and at the stop, switch drivers.

 

[Dizzyworld]

As a person who is 49 and holding, your question made me laugh. I perfectly understand what you mean. Have fun.

 

[CPM]

They are very easy to operate and I can't think of any body part that will hurt you. They are a blast. we rented them for the first time a few weeks ago in Grand Cayman, had so much fun we rented them two days later in Cozumel!

I have to say I like being in control and would probably never ride on the back. You can fall off the back if the person driving goes too fast or hits the waves too hard. My DD fell off because my husband was fooling around.

I also wouldn't rent them if the water is too choppy. When we did it on Grand Cayman the water was so smooth, on Cozumel it wasn't quite as smooth but not rough and there was a difference.

Enjoy, you'll be hooked! I want one now

 

[debloco]

What happens if you fall off? Are the sharks waiting for their next meal? I might look juicy to them.

This part made me laugh!

I'd say go for it, you can control the speed of a waverunner and they are easy to use.

Just to clarify, there is a big difference between a "jetski" and a "waverunner" (also known as a wet bike).

A jetski is much more difficult to use and ride. There is no "seat" on a jetski, just a platform to stand on. And you have to be able to balance and maneuver to stay on. Those are the kind where the "top" or handle pops up from the lower part and you hold on there to steer while standing on the platform. It's hard to even get going on those things. They hold only one passenger.

A waverunner or wet bike is easier to handle and is what they use for the tour on CC. You sit down on a waverunner and it can seat up to two people. You do not really need to balance to stay on; they're pretty wide and stable. You steer and accelerate just by using the "handlebars".

 

[tvguy]

My neighbors sold their jet skis and Harleys the year they both turned 75.
They used both regularly, but felt it was time to slow down, and limit their activities to driving their Suburban and Airstream cross country a couple of times a year. They finally sold the Suburban and Airstream at age 80, traded them in on a new Honda Element, got a dog, and now just do day trips.
So I think you've got a few years left to enjoy jet skis.

 

[pixiefaery]

Can we rent jet skis or wave runners on CC or do we have to do the excursion?

 

[Tammy1]

All I can say is if you wait you never will get on the thing....

Go for it!!!! They keep a look out for sharks and because it's new to you, you won't go fast, or far (at least not right away)

Remember you only live once!!! I know I'm close to 50 and I want to parasail so....guess what I'll be doing on an upcoming cruise in Sept.?????

You got it....I'll give you a friendly wave as I pass by

Good Luck!!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Just did the Eco-tour last Tuesday and I'm over 50 & female, the ocean was very choppy due to a storm in area, going out to the sandbar was rough. I was behind a younger woman with her son (he was terrified) making her go slower then the rest of the group which then split our group up. I was thinking...What have I gotten myself into?

I kept adjusting the speed of my wave runner so I wouldn't be to close to her. Still it was a new experience and I was enjoying doing something new.

When we reached the sandbar we had so much fun. The lady said for me to go ahead of her because she was going to be going back even slower. I told her that it was OK I would stay behind her but she didn't get in line so I had to go ahead. Boy did I have a great time...caught some air...the trip back to CC was great and I loved the ride, would I do it again...in a flash.

My arms were a little sore the next morning because when you jump the waves you do have to hold on tight.

 

[CPM]

Can we rent jet skis or wave runners on CC or do we have to do the excursion?

I was wondering the same thing. If not you can rent them at Grand Cayman for $65.00 a half hour at most beaches or Cozumel for $55.00 a half hour.

 

[georgeat]

I'll be 67 in two days and am taking the excursion on 9/2/05 for the first time(the repo cruise)

 

[suwoogie]

well, if georgeat can do it, then so can I.