Water Sports Foundation’s Prime Suggestions for Boosting the Enjoyable Issue When Boating with Kids

Experts Share Advice on How to Keep Kids Engaged and Enjoying Family Time on the Water

ORLANDO, Fla., June 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Family boating adventures can do greater than create enjoyable summer time recollections — they assist kids construct confidence, strengthen household relationships and develop a lifelong appreciation for the outside in accordance with a nationwide research carried out by Impulse Research Corp. for the National Marine Manufacturers Association. It revealed that boating households report stronger emotional well-being, better life satisfaction and improved household connections in comparison with non-boating households. Nearly two-thirds of boat house owners surveyed mentioned boating helped convey their households nearer, whereas 89% cited being open air as one of many greatest advantages of cruising.

“As families increasingly seek ways to disconnect from screens and reconnect with one another, boating continues to emerge as one of the most rewarding recreational activities for parents and children alike,” mentioned Jim Emmons, govt director of the Water Sports Foundation. “From fishing and tubing to simply cruising local waterways, boating offers families a rare opportunity for uninterrupted quality time together.”

Captain Cathy Williams of Winter Park, Fla., owns and operates The Confident Captain, an expert teaching and boat driving college. A former skilled wakeboard athlete, member of the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation Hall of Fame and competition-rated towboat driver, Cathy has seen her share of comfortable boating households. However, she’s additionally noticed how just a few frequent blunders can smash a day on the water.

“With a little planning, parents can make more fun for kids on the water,” she mentioned. “First and foremost, always create a calm environment on the boat. Patience is particularly important; avoid yelling at all costs.”

“In addition, always start your boating adventure with a crew meeting before leaving the dock,” mentioned Williams. “Explain the plan for the day, identify seating protocols when the boat is underway, and clearly communicate safety rules.”

Williams says mother and father ought to give youngsters easy, age-appropriate assignments, like carrying gear or aiding an grownup with their onboard tasks. Such alternatives make youngsters really feel they’re a part of the exercise. She says these easy however necessary suggestions serve to earn a toddler’s belief and assist construct confidence for future outings.

Lifelong boater, former editor-in-chief of Angler’s Journal journal and father to 2 lively younger sons, Charlie Levine says he is by no means had a child flip him down when invited to fish on his boat. Boating and fishing needs to be an immersive expertise, he says. Some of his high kid-friendly suggestions embrace letting them sit on the helm when the motor is off, turning the wheel and touching just a few buttons, together with giving them hands-on instruction with the fishing rods and deal with.

In addition, he reminds adults to guard youngsters from the doubtless damaging rays of the solar by guaranteeing they’re carrying acceptable sunscreen with no less than SPF 30 safety, although larger is greatest suited to extended publicity. Making positive youngsters are commonly hydrating and have loads of their favourite snacks additionally contributes to a enjoyable expertise.

“No kid that’s sunburned, hungry or thirsty will enjoy boating or want to keep fishing,” he mentioned.

In addition to the skilled recommendation of those two boating trade professionals, the Water Sports Foundation (WSF) gives further suggestions for boating with kids:

Always present/put on a correctly fitted life jacket. This is an important boating security rule for kids and fogeys. The U.S. Coast Guard requires kids youthful than 13 to put on a life jacket whereas aboard a transferring vessel, though state legal guidelines could range. Life jackets needs to be a U.S. Coast Guard-approved design and correctly sized for the kid’s weight and age.

Maintain fixed grownup supervision. Never go away kids unattended on a ship or close to/within the water. Parents ought to designate a selected grownup because the official “observer” accountable for monitoring kids always.

Turn off the engine at any time when swimmers are within the water. Before anybody enters the water, the captain ought to fully shut off the engine — not merely place it in impartial — to cut back the danger of propeller accidents.

Choose kid-friendly boating places. Families ought to keep away from congested waterways with heavy boat site visitors and as an alternative choose calmer, protected areas that permit kids to soundly swim and play. Some boating venues are extra adult-oriented so verify upfront for age-appropriate locales.
“As we celebrate summertime with our families, I hope parents realize they don’t need elaborate vacations or expensive travel plans to create meaningful experiences together,” Emmons mentioned. “Sometimes, the best memories are made on the boat, just beyond the dock.”

About the Water Sports Foundation (WSF)
The Water Sports Foundation (WSF) is the non-profit arm of the Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA.internet) devoted to selling boating security within the United States. Boating security content material on this press launch is produced underneath a grant from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund administered by the U.S. Coast Guard. The WSF was the 2016 National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) Innovations in Outreach award recipient; it received the 2021 Marine Marketers of America Neptune Award for Public Relations; and, it additionally has been acknowledged with a number of International Boating and Water Safety Summit (IBWSS) Communication Awards. The group’s boating security content material has been revealed in main nationwide information retailers together with USA Today, Miami Herald, Weather Channel, and Men’s Journal amongst others. For extra data, please go to watersportsfoundation.com.

Media Contact:
Joel Staley
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SOURCE Water Sports Foundation