Sailing with children

Sailing with kids can be very fun and rewarding. Most children, both big and small, enjoy the sailing environment and it is usually in the earlier years that the basis for a life-long interest in sailing is rooted.

What is required?

Sailing requires a high level of safety, with or without children. As a skipper you must be able to anticipate and mentally prepare yourself for what can, and can't, happen. It is very important to keep calm in every situation. Avoid yelling and screaming as it is not helpful and others will only get stressed and start doing the same.

By asking yourself the following questions you can be more prepared:

What hapens if I or another passenger falls overboard? Is everyone able to carry the sails, start the motor and bring up the ladder, etc?

What happens if the engine stops, or if the sail tears in the worst possible place? These situations can be prevented with some simple common sense.

So what is it like sailing with children?

There really isn't any difference in sailing with or without children. It's more about having the right attitude for sailing from the very beginning, so that children learn to enjoy the boat and the sea from the start. Here are some helpful tips to remember:

 

Lifejackets

Everyone on board should have a lifejacket, no questions asked. Explain to the children, without intimidating them, how long it takes to turn the boat around how quickly one can become chilled. For example, if someone hits their head it lessens their ability to survive, even if they are a good swimmer. Small children (5-6 years old) and non-swimmers should wear fastenable vests.
Children usually want to remove their lifevests once they are inside the boat. This is fine as long as the conditions are good and the child is able to put their lifejacket on by him or herself. Don't forget that children should be wearing lifejackets even when on shore. After having been 'trapped' on board all day the children will need a chance to "run free" on the pier, preferable alone, but they should still keep their lifejackets on so that both you and they are satisfied.

It's not uncommon for chartered boats in other countries to not have child lifevests on board, so unless you know in advance that you will be supplied with them, it's always safest to bring them with you so that the children have the right size and type. Don't forget to take a swim and let the children try out their lifevests!

Coping with seasickness?

Children can get seasick just like adults, but some people are gifted with a special inner sense of balance that isn't affected by the sea. But if the sea gets choppy it can be time to gather everyone on deck. Proper clothing and avoiding an empty stomach are always good ways of preventing or coping with seasickness.  A little bit of candy, a sandwich or a thermos containing tea or soup (but not carbonated drinks,etc) can be good to have handy if needed. Children usually cope rather well with seasickness and get over it rather quickly even when it does occur.