wet suits at DC

[sunshineNJ]

Do you have to wear a wet suit for the dolphin swim and snorkling? thanks

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

For the dolphin swim, you must wear either a wetsuit or a vest (your choice). This is so the dolphin trainers can easily see you in the water.

For the remainder of the park, you don't need to wear either one. You are welcome to be just in your swimsuit if you prefer.

 

[sunshineNJ]

Thanks

 

[greenclan67]

Really? I thought you had to wear it all the time you were in the water. I am looking into this when we got in March, cause I got tired of wearing it when I was there!

 

[PDJPrinceCharming]

You'll be glad to choose the wetsuit, it makes the extremely cold salt water much more bareable to be in. We literally had to stand close together due to it being freezing in the water for the dolphin swim but it was definitely worth every penny.

 

[chiamarie]

Anytime you are in the water, you must have either a wetsuit or vest on. This is for flotation reasons, as areas of the river are over 8 feet deep, and the reef and dolphin swim are also deeper than that.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Anytime you are in the water, you must have either a wetsuit or vest on. This is for flotation reasons, as areas of the river are over 8 feet deep, and the reef and dolphin swim are also deeper than that.

We saw many folks in their swimsuits (particularly toward the end of the day) in the shallower part of the lazy river. I wonder why they didn't enforce the wetsuit/vest?

The wetsuit wouldn't assist in floatation though.......there's nothing on it to make it bouyant that I know of.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

The wet suits definitely provide some floatation. They also identify you as a guest vs a trainer and my understanding is they must be worn in any pool that has animals.

 

[kieras nana]

i have never seen anyone,in the water without a wetsuit or vest on.this is one rule,that is definately enforced.
if you are in the water,one or the other MUST be worn!
tracy

 

[greenclan67]

That is what I thought! I think they let people take them off in the pool area, where you can go through the cave to get in the lazy river, but otherwise you need to be wearing it, and there was no exception. The only time we took ours off is when our kids were playing near the shore of the main pool area!

 

[chiamarie]

We saw many folks in their swimsuits (particularly toward the end of the day) in the shallower part of the lazy river. I wonder why they didn't enforce the wetsuit/vest?

The wetsuit wouldn't assist in floatation though.......there's nothing on it to make it bouyant that I know of.

A) were they in the pool part of the "river"? Because I believe, that it is shallow there, and you don't need to have one there. But the river moves, so because you're moving along, and it drastically drops off in some spots, you are required to have either a wet suit or vest on.

B) Wetsuit material IS a flotation device. Its made of neoprene and rubber. As someone experienced in wearing ALOT of wetsuits; trust me, they provide ALOT of bouyancy. SeaWorld even uses the exact same wetsuit material in Manatee rescues when manatees have been hit by boats and can't maintain proper buoyancy in order to breath. Trust me, wet suits will make anyone float.

Check out the second photo on this website, it shows a manatee wearing a custom made "wetsuit" to help him stay afloat so he can keep breathing.

http://www.theoceanadventure.com/FMIE/FM16.html

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

they provide ALOT of bouyancy

Perhaps I am just "denser" than most (and I'm talking body mass, not brain mass....though perhaps a case could be made for that too ) but I didn't find myself particularly floaty in the wetsuit.

I certainly would not count on it to make me a better swimmer/less likely to sink. But that's just me!

I totally believe what you are saying (about them providing bouyancy), but I, personally, didn't find that it made any significant difference.

 

[chiamarie]

Perhaps I am just "denser" than most (and I'm talking body mass, not brain mass....though perhaps a case could be made for that too ) but I didn't find myself particularly floaty in the wetsuit.

I certainly would not count on it to make me a better swimmer/less likely to sink. But that's just me!

I totally believe what you are saying (about them providing buoyancy), but I, personally, didn't find that it made any significant difference.

You're not "dense" , you probably just don't have much experience in a wetsuit. It's not anywhere close to buoyant as a life-vest would be; but they do provide positive buoyancy for sure.

If you find yourself in a wetsuit again. Try floating on your back with the wetsuit on, and with it off, and see which is easier. Also try diving do the bottom of the pool, and swimming underwater (and keeping your body underwater) for 10-15 feet with one on. You'll for sure notice how the wetsuit keeps you at the surface.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I was just going to say if you try to dive with the suit on, you'll notice it's much harder, but someone beat me to it. Darn having to work...it takes time away from the disboards.

 

[wombwithaview]

For the dolphin swim, you must wear either a wetsuit or a vest (your choice). This is so the dolphin trainers can easily see you in the water.

For the remainder of the park, you don't need to wear either one. You are welcome to be just in your swimsuit if you prefer.

We've been to Discovery Cove 3 times and will be returning again in June. I have never seen any swimers without a vest or wetsuit on while in any of the pools/rivers. The website says the following:

Wetsuits
While in the water, we do require guests to wear either a wetsuit (short or long depending on the season and guests preference) or a swim vest. This ensures our lifeguards are able to see guests as they swim underwater, thus, enhancing safety.
*Sizing ranges from toddlers through 18XL

Honestly, once you're in the wetsuit, you don't even realize it's on. Don't stress over the wetsuit...you're going to love Discovery Cove and, trust me, the wetsuit is the last thing you're going to be thinking about while you're there enjoying all DC has to offer.

Sarah