Wild Dolphin Swim Experience in Port Stephens

Do I need to be able to swim?

We call it a ‘swim’, but while you are being towed along as part of the pod you do not actually swim at all – you should not even kick your legs. Rather, you just ‘hang’ by your arms, and relax as much as you can, holding on to the tow-rope and watching the dolphins. Being basically skilled at snorkelling is more important (see point 5 below). We ask for your swimming ability as a basic indicator of your comfort in the water and physical fitness, which is also needed for other aspects of the experience. Think about these things to assess whether or not you would manage a swim:

1. There are three steps to reach the deck of Imagine when you arrive. If you could not climb & descend those steps three times in quick succession, then you might not be able to do the swim.

2. On the open ocean, there is always wave action, which rocks the boat in three planes (pitch, roll and yaw), so at times you need some leg strength, balance and to be able to hold tightly to the railings as you move around on board.

3. To climb into and out of the springy bow-net at the start and finish of a swim takes leg, core and upper body strength, as well as reasonable flexibility.

4. During the swim you hold a rope and are towed slowly through the water, so some hand, wrist, arm & shoulder strength is required.

5. As far as skills go, it is valuable to be comfortable in the open ocean (although you are tethered safely under the vessel), to be practised in using a mask and snorkel, and, especially to be able to clear water from your snorkel, so you don’t lift your head