Travel Tips

Travel Tip: Water Sport Safety

A vacation may seem like the ideal time to try out a new sport, like snorkeling and water-skiing.

But there are important safety concerns to keep in mind—especially for families with young kids.

First and foremost equip yourself with information.

You can’t make a good decision without asking the right questions.

Look for lessons. No one expects you to be a pro, but if you’re not comfortable out there on the water, look for resorts with instructional programs.

At The Elegant Hotels on Barbados Island, the Aqua School provides free instruction/free use of the equipment for sports such as kayaking, and water-skiing in addition to private surf instruction.

Ask if experience is necessary. It may seem annoying if that keeps you from doing an activity you’ve always wanted to try, but restrictions are in place for your own safety.

For example, at The Maroma Resort and Spa on the Riviera Maya, activities such as the night dive are restricted to certain skill levels, while kite boarding and snorkeling are allowed only after lessons are given.

Some properties will tout that motorized sports are included in the price, but without training, that could be an accident waiting to happen.

That’s why more and more hotels, like Jewel Dunn’s River Resort in Jamaica, are choosing not to offer motorized water sports at all.

Why? One word: Liability.

For more great activities on your next vacation, check out the Water Sports section.

And check out the rest of our Daily Travel Tips here.