Are you the proud owner of a beautiful boat? Then you undoubtedly know how pleasant it is to sail. While sailing you experience a nice feeling of freedom. This is due to the peace and infinity of the water. This has a positive impact on the brain of a person.
Of course it is also fun to sail with children. Then you can show them something of the world and at the same time they learn more about the different waters in the Netherlands. The point is that the safety of these children must of course be central. But what can you do and not do with children on board? We will go into that in more detail in this text.
Do's: Safe sailing with children
Everyone should enjoy a pleasant boat trip and therefore it is not nice to worry about the safety of children. You can prevent this by following the tips below.
Specify the rules in advance
Before you board with children, it is important to explain the safety rules clearly. That way, you will not have any annoying discussions during the boat trip. You can explain to children who are a bit older what they may and may not do on the boat and why it is important to be safe on the water.
You can also indicate what exactly they should do in bad weather or another dangerous situation. Don't make the rules too complicated. Be practical and above all clear, so that all children understand it well.
Have the children wear a life jacket
This may seem obvious, but you still regularly see children who do not wear a life jacket while sailing. However, this is of vital importance and that is why the water police are very strict about it. If a child unexpectedly falls into the water, he or she will stay afloat thanks to the life jacket. A child's head will always remain above water. The chance of a child drowning is therefore considerably smaller by wearing a life jacket.
Bring toys
Children get bored faster than adults. They have a rich imagination and therefore cannot stay focused all the time. For this reason, it is useful to bring enough toys. Without toys, children get bored quickly and then they start doing unsafe activities. It may sound a bit crazy, but toys are very important for safety.
Bring enough sunscreen
Are you going sailing on a sunny day? Then you have to take the sun into account. Children have very vulnerable skin. Water reflects and therefore the power of the sun is stronger on the water than on land. Therefore, take enough sunscreen with you. Various studies have shown that children with damaged skin later have a greater risk of skin diseases. Think of melanoma. This is a very aggressive form of skin cancer that can even be fatal.
Don'ts: what should you avoid doing?
In the previous paragraphs we discussed the do's, but what should you avoid with children on board?
Leaving sharp objects lying around
During a boat trip you sometimes need tools. Maybe you are not used to traveling with children and then you sometimes want to leave something lying around. Make sure that dangerous tools are always put away. After all, children like to play with dangerous things and that can have far-reaching consequences.
Breaking the rules yourself
Of course, as an adult you also have to set a good example. Perhaps a child wonders why adults don't have to wear a life jacket. Then you can of course start a discussion, but it is smarter to just put on a life jacket. Children are more likely to accept something from you when you set a good example yourself.
Conclusion
All in all, it is great fun to sail with children. Make sure that safety is the main priority, so that everyone can enjoy the boat trip. Hopefully, you have found the tips in this article useful and you can enjoy water sports with your family!
