Dive Into These 5 Tips Before Your Next Aquatic Adventure

Spring has almost sprung, and depending on where you live, you’ll sooner or later be ready for aquatic adventures. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Pick your activity.

You can choose from many aquatic adventures in Scouting: stand-up paddleboarding, scuba diving, surfing and snorkeling, just to name a few. Get your fill at Scout summer camp or a national high-adventure base, where you can canoe across serene lakes at Northern Tier in Minnesota, ocean sail at Sea Base in Florida or ride whitewater rapids at the Summit in West Virginia.

Or you can find fun close to home. Plan a party at your local public swimming pool, visit a nearby waterpark or team up with expert instructors. Troop 202 of Carmel, Indiana, planned a day with the Indianapolis Sailing Club and learned how to navigate a 22-foot sailboat.

“I really enjoyed being able to set up the sailboat,” says Cameron Scher-Millan, 14, a Life Scout. “I’d love to do it again. I think I’ll take the merit badge at summer camp.”

2. Be safe.

Just because your family owns a boat, it doesn’t mean your unit can take it out on a whim. Scouting America sets aquatic safety rules for water-based activities in the Safe Swim Defense, Aquatics Supervision and Safety Afloat guides. Follow them and any other activity guidelines.

Every year, Troop 27 of Johns Creek, Georgia, heads to a local lake for a water sports campout. It’s a lot of fun, but it requires preparation to make sure the adults are properly trained and everyone knows the rules and is physically ready.

“If you make sure you’re on top of it, you can go out on the water and have fun,” says Tyler Robinson, 17, a Life Scout. “Safety is part of it. We reiterate these safety procedures almost constantly.

3. Just keep swimming.

To go on most aquatic activities, you need to be strong enough to be classified as a “swimmer” when you take the Scouting America swim test. That means you can jump into the water and swim 100 yards using different strokes without any help before demonstrating how to rest by floating.

Practice for the test to build your strength and skills. You won’t be banished to the shore if you don’t pass it, but your participation will be limited. Beginners and non-swimmers can still go on float trips on calm water and ride on boats with skilled adults. Remember, everyone must wear a properly fitted life jacket.

4. Find your buddy.

Another safety rule is following the buddy system. Buddies are there to watch you when others may not. They stay nearby and can alert a safety team if help is needed. Pick a buddy you’re comfortable with and who is close to your equal in ability.

If you’re on a float trip, it’s also a good idea to pick another boat of Scouts to be your buddies. That’s what Troop 380 of Plano, Texas, did on a river kayaking campout, and it helped when the Scouts’ kayaks slowed down in shallow water.

“There was a lot of teamwork involved as far as moving the kayaks,” says Guerin Chan, 15, a Life Scout. “People were getting stuck, so we got out and helped each other.”

Have fun!

Whew! This is a lot to remember. But it’s important for you to stay safe. Scouting opens doors for new adventures, and when you follow these tips, you can fully enjoy the water and make great memories with your friends.