Going Boating This Summer with Your Family? Be Safe and Have Fun!

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Discover Boating. I received collateral to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

Growing up, my family and I owned center console boats and we would go out to the lake on the weekends.  I remember three things – wearing lots of sunblock, wearing a life vest, and going fast!  We made good memories as a family with our boating activities.  We would love to take the kids on a boat this summer with some friends of ours who own a boat and go out quite often.  This is why Discover Boating appealed to me!

For many of us, with summer comes no school and warm weather paired with outdoor activities.  We want to introduce our children to experiences we had as children, as well as search for and create new and exciting ones.  Boating is a favorite pastime for many, allowing us the freedom of being on the water while enjoying quality time with family and friends.  Last year, 88 million Americans chose boating as a way to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with loved ones.

Discover Boating , a nonprofit program supported by the U.S. Recreational Boating Industry, encourages everyone to get out on the water and experience the fun of the boating style.  From fishing with your family to enjoying  sunset cruise, boating offers endless on-water adventures and fun for all ages.  DiscoverBoating.com provides online resources, interactive tools, and tips for everyone from first-time boaters to the seasoned pros.

If you are going boating using your own boat or a boat charter rental with your kids this summer, here are some helpful tips on how to be safe while having fun:

– Boating safety begins with wearing your life jacket.  Whether you’re wading in a stream or the shallow end of a pond, always your life jacket.

– Keep a good look out for other boats. Even if you know the rules others may not, so you have to operate defensively.

– The wind, rain and rough water associated with bad weather poses a safety hazard to the unsuspecting boater. The best thing a boater can do is to avoid bad weather.

– You need to have the following items on your boat at all times: life jacket, fire extinguisher, marine radio, first aid kit, sound producing device, charts and anchor and line. You may also consider bringing spare boat batteries in case of battery issues.

Do you have boating plans with your family this summer?  Do you have any additional tips?