do you need to know how to swim in a waterpark?

United States
July 2, 2009 12:03am CST
My boyfriend wants to take me to a waterpark, where they have water slides and that sort of thing, but I don't know how to swim. I know that the water slides fall into a pool of water, my boyfriend claims they are only 3 or 4 feet deep, but im only 4'11", so my question is do you need to know how to swim in order to be safe going on waterslides? Should I go or should I not go?
2 people like this
7 responses
@breepeace (3014)
• Canada
28 Aug 09
No, not really. It helps to be able to tread water, but as long as you make sure to visually check the pools for depth before you go down the slide you should be fine. I took my little brother to a waterpark for the first time when he was 6 with no issues. Most of the rides we went on, he refused to let me come with him after he'd done them once with me. Did you go? How was it?
@suzzy3 (8341)
6 Jul 09
The water in these parks is normally not six foot deep ,it is quite shallow it is the water that is stirred up which makes it look deeper.I do understand what you are saying and swimmers do not realise what it is like for young swimmers,could you not go to your local pool to practise with a floating aid ,hang on the side of the pool and kick your legs.Or maybe take a few lessons to give you more confidence it seems such a shame you shoul miss out on all the fun to be had.
@xtedaxcvg (3189)
• Philippines
3 Jul 09
swimming - a must learn skill
I think you need to learn how to swim if you go to waterparks or beaches. Think of it as an advantage and as a personal achievement. Swimming is like driving.. the skill might come in handy one day.
• United States
2 Jul 09
I personally wouldn't go because there are times where people who don't know how to swim completely freak out when they hit the water and after an intense ride it might happen and you might just not stand up or think you can. Now the best thing for him to do is take you to a regular amusement park that has water rides as well. I know at Kings Dominion they have water slides and what not that only have you in a few inches of water and most of the time you're on the raft and don't fall off so there isn't anything to worry about. Also, if for some reason you freak out over the water situation you have other rides to ride and you haven't wasted $40-60 on a park ticket. But I would completely agree that you should probably learn to swim. There might be times where you need to be around water and its better to learn now than to regret it later.
• United States
2 Jul 09
You don't have to know how to swim to ge to a water park because they have other things you can do insted of going into a deep pool they should also have small pools. You shoud try to learn how to swim if you want to go into the the deep pools. I know how to swin but that good when I was little one of my brothers always tried to scare me with everything and thanks to him know I can't swim with there are other people near me in the water. And I can't swim for a long time under water because I get scared I know there is a word for it but I can't remember. Well is something that happens to me under water inside small places. But I would go if I was you and I would just be safe and I would not get into places that I know I have to swim. You can actually see it as an oportunity for your boyfriend to teach you how to swim. Have fun.
• United States
2 Jul 09
The water isn't deep so you can stand but if I were you I would test it out first. You can watch someone go down the water slide then see if they can stand. If they are about the same height as you and they can stand then I would say that you would be able to go down that slide.
@srganesh (6340)
• India
2 Jul 09
You shall enjoy the fun even if you don't know swimming.There will be emergency measures alloted to you.And the water as he said with 3 or 4 feet deep will not be a problem for you.So,just enjoy.But,as another member said you should learn swimming if time permits.Cheers!