Water activities

Managing risk with water activities

Each person aboard the boat must wear a properly fitted personal flotation device.
Inexperienced boaters should not take a canoe/kayak/paddle board/sailboat out until they have undergone training from an appropriately experienced instructor.
Before any canoeing/kayaking/paddle boarding/sailboating excursion, read American Canoe Association canoe & kayak safety tips.

Youth who are 16 years of age and older must have a fishing license in the State of Minnesota.
All anglers, swimmers and non-swimmers alike, must wear a properly fitting personal flotation device at all times on the boat or on the dock. It is recommended they wear a personal flotation device on the shore; consider age of the participant and site conditions (shore, weather) when deciding.
Before participating in fishing please read fishing safety guide.
If fishing from a boat please read the safe boating checklist.

Host organized swimming activities at a commercial and/or public facility or beaches that have Red Cross certified lifeguards.
- Homeowners are accepting the risk when hosting swimming parties at their home.
- The University of Minnesota will not accept risk for private swimming parties.
- If no lifeguards are supplied (public facilities, camp, etc.), 4-H policy requires at least two Red Cross certified lifeguards be present at any activity involving swimming. Find lifeguard courses.
Attendees that are young, non-swimmers, and poor swimmers should always wear a properly fitted personal flotation device.
Before swimming in rivers/streams, contact the DNR for information on water levels and speed of the current to determine if swimming is acceptable.
Swimming in pits/quarries, and rope swings over water are prohibited activities due to the unknown elements such as currents, depth of pits and quarries, drop offs in lakes or rocks and hidden dangers.

Pat Morreim, program manager, morre002@umn.edu, 763-427-5428