Any parent or other qaulified individuals want to lend their opinions about whether a child should be allowed in a small boat before they know how to swim? I wasn't allowed in one when I was a child until I knew how to swim, and I guess that was motivation for me to learn to swim more quickly. I've been inclined to have the same rule for my young children. I've mentioned this to friends, and they have mostly scoffed at me, pointing out that even if a kid knew how to swim, they would likely drown if they fell in the water far from shore without a life jacket or immediate help.

Obviously, a life jacket is the most important thing, and parents should always be around whenever little kids are near the water, but should a kid be forced to sit on the shore until they can swim?

What do you guys think?