BY ALI BICEK, OT
In the spring of 2012, our family went out for a quick boat trip on Lake Minnetonka. The day was going to be filled with fun and sun, until my older son fell off the boat and his legs made contact with the moving propellers of the boat motor. What was to follow was major surgery to repair multiple lacerations on his legs, a week in HCMC, and almost a year of rehabilitation! Since his accident, our family has taken boat safety VERY seriously! Here are some tips to keep your family safe out on the boat!
In the spring of 2012, our family went out for a quick boat trip on Lake Minnetonka. The day was going to be filled with fun and sun, until my older son fell off the boat and his legs made contact with the moving propellers of the boat motor. What was to follow was major surgery to repair multiple lacerations on his legs, a week in HCMC, and almost a year of rehabilitation! Since his accident, our family has taken boat safety VERY seriously! Here are some tips to keep your family safe out on the boat!
TIP 1: Be clear and consistent about boat rules, and review them every time you get on the boat! If you have a rule, follow it EVERY time! If your rule is to wear a life jacket, make that part of the routine each time, and you’ll eventually see your kids adopting this habit without any reminders!
4 SIMPLE RULES:
1. Kids wear life jackets 100% of the time!
2. Stay seated when the boat is moving!
3. Quiet and still when launching and docking the boat!
4. The Captain is in charge! Listen to the Captain!!
TIP 2: Have an emergency plan and all the necessary equipment. Review the plan on each boat trip.
TIP 3: Tell your kids about what could happen! A little fear isn't a bad thing and can keep your kids more mindful of safety on the boat. This may seem like overkill, but things can go from BAD to WORSE with lightning speed when you’re on the boat! My kids have learned the hard way to always think about safety on the boat. Now they can continue having our fun family boating adventures!
Capable Partners
The vision and mission of Capable Partners is to create a well-known and respected Twin Cities based non-profit organization of sport persons whose mission is to volunteer their time and talents to provide hunting, fishing, and related opportunities for individuals with physical challenges.
Water Skiing - Adaptive, Courage Kenny
Beginner to competition-level adaptive water-skiers welcome. We'll provide the instruction and adapted equipment for stand-up and sit-skiers. Classes held at Lake Owasso in Shoreview.
Wayzata Community Sailing Center
It has long been our objective at the Wayzata Community Sailing Center to provide "Sailing for Everyone" regardless of ability or background. We are proud to be one of the only providers of sailing lessons for persons with disabilities in the greater Twin Cities area. We at WCSC hold our staff to the highest level of education possible and require that each staff member be trained using the US Sailing Certification System. With their training, our instructors can provide fun, safe, and educational sailing lessons for people of all abilities throughout the summer on our highly stable adaptive sailboats.
2. Stay seated when the boat is moving!
3. Quiet and still when launching and docking the boat!
4. The Captain is in charge! Listen to the Captain!!
TIP 2: Have an emergency plan and all the necessary equipment. Review the plan on each boat trip.
TIP 3: Tell your kids about what could happen! A little fear isn't a bad thing and can keep your kids more mindful of safety on the boat. This may seem like overkill, but things can go from BAD to WORSE with lightning speed when you’re on the boat! My kids have learned the hard way to always think about safety on the boat. Now they can continue having our fun family boating adventures!
Check out these programs that get kids with special needs out on the water!!
The vision and mission of Capable Partners is to create a well-known and respected Twin Cities based non-profit organization of sport persons whose mission is to volunteer their time and talents to provide hunting, fishing, and related opportunities for individuals with physical challenges.
I Can Program - MN Dept of Natural Resources
Give your kids a blockbuster summer--all at a beginner's level--with the Minnesota State Parks and Trails I Can! programs. Programs include: I Can Camp!, I Can Climb!, I Can Paddle!, I Can Fish! and more.
Give your kids a blockbuster summer--all at a beginner's level--with the Minnesota State Parks and Trails I Can! programs. Programs include: I Can Camp!, I Can Climb!, I Can Paddle!, I Can Fish! and more.
Minnesota Adaptive Sailing
Minnesota Adaptive Sailing provides opportunities for physically-challenged individuals with or without previous experience to sail in a controlled supportive environment.
Minnesota Adaptive Sailing provides opportunities for physically-challenged individuals with or without previous experience to sail in a controlled supportive environment.
Water Skiing - Adaptive, Courage Kenny
Beginner to competition-level adaptive water-skiers welcome. We'll provide the instruction and adapted equipment for stand-up and sit-skiers. Classes held at Lake Owasso in Shoreview.
Wayzata Community Sailing Center
It has long been our objective at the Wayzata Community Sailing Center to provide "Sailing for Everyone" regardless of ability or background. We are proud to be one of the only providers of sailing lessons for persons with disabilities in the greater Twin Cities area. We at WCSC hold our staff to the highest level of education possible and require that each staff member be trained using the US Sailing Certification System. With their training, our instructors can provide fun, safe, and educational sailing lessons for people of all abilities throughout the summer on our highly stable adaptive sailboats.
Have a fun and safe summer!
