Would you let your child surf?

Depends on the age, say 13 up why not.
I can think of so many other things, they can do that are not what a parent would want.
Surfing is a wonderful sport....
As for sharks,well that is the risk, but we do not have as many attacks as one would think.

by jonaja

My younger brother surfs, he absolutely loves it. I think it's such a healthy and beautiful thing to do, even though I'm too scared to try it myself. He wants to teach my daughter (his niece). She is 8yrs old now, and I don't mind her learning as long as it's in a safe spot and he does not leave her side, but I wouldn't want her to do it on her own until she was in her teens. My brother started by body boarding in his early teens. I'd like it if she started out with that also.

by Lu Lu Belle

Yes I would. I think learning to read the ocean, which is part of the surfing lessons is a great skill to have, especially if you live close to the sea. My son had surfing lessons when he was about 7. Although he has not really taken up surfing I would let him have more lessons if he wanted to.

by Ivana Katz

I would let my child surf as long as they understand the risk involved and take care when surfing.

by chipp

I would, yet ease them into it. It's not for the faint hearted. From age 14 is fine.

by Justine Crowley

There are some precautions you can take to avoid ending up a news spectacle blown out of proportion.

1) Always surf with someone else in the water relatively close by.

2) Only surf patrolled beaches during the patrol hours.

3) Sharks have breakfast, lunch and dinner times just like we do so avoid early morning and late at dusk.

4) Lessons are a great way to educate your child about more than just the board they will be standing upon, such as rip tides, currents, and what to do in emergencies.

5) Don't float out 2km away from the shoreline for long periods of time unless in a group. You will look like a seal snack for sharks.

by Amelia

...........especially in a BLACK surf suit!
Amazing to see Mick Fanning surfing again in a black suit, after what he's been through!

Sure. Shark attacks are very rare. They'd be more likely to get hit by a car than eaten by a shark even if they surf. I'd just make sure they knew how to take proper safety precautions and got some lessons first.

by Jennifer Muirhead

yep - it's not the sharks you need to worry about, it's head injuries...but still would.

by Lydia C. Lee

i would let my children participate in every healthy activity, including surfing. They have to be careful even while riding a bike, so all precautions need to be taken before participating in an activity, but I wouldn't stop them from trying something new.

by Happy Mom

I would encourage my children to participate in all sports. Having said that, I know my children well enough to know that surfing is something that would probably not interest them.

by Happy Mom

I did as a teenager, & loved it.
Neither of my children showed any interest.

by donjo

I don't have little ones yet, but definitely: you can't limit their lives due to moral panic. Yes, be careful, but we all have to be. Surfing is too much to not let them do it.

by Jamie0liversgirl