Would you let your nine year old son do this?

OK, so it was for a good cause, but to me, it was just too dangerous!!!!


Boy, 9, Swims From Alcatraz to San Fran



SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A nine-year-old boy has just finished a pretty tough morning swim - from Alcatraz to San Francisco.

Johnny Wilson, from Hillsborough, made the 1.4-mile swim in under two hours, braving choppy morning waters and rough winds in a portion of the San Francisco bay known to have sharks as well.

Wilson's classmates were waiting for him on shore, cheering as he made it all the way to Aquatic Park.

His effort raised about $30,000 for the Red Cross Katrina Hurricane Victims Fund.


Wilson said the toughest part of the swim was the beginning, because it was cold and windy.



10/10/05 12:05

Re: Would you let your nine year old son do this?

Humn on one hand I would be soo proud that he wanted to do soemthing so huge...on the other hand...OMG sharks, choppy water, Alcatraz to San fran?

Re: Would you let your nine year old son do this?

good cause, but no i wouldnt let him. too young IMO.

Re: Would you let your nine year old son do this?

9 years old??? No, I wouldn't. Good cause or not...that's too dangerous

Re: Would you let your nine year old son do this?

I dont know..but Im sure someone was rowing in a boat next to him them whole way.

Re: Would you let your nine year old son do this?

Re: Would you let your nine year old son do this?

Ummm....aren't there sharks around Alcatraz?

Re: Would you let your nine year old son do this?

Posted by Stefanie

Ummm....aren't there sharks around Alcatraz?

Re: Would you let your nine year old son do this?

I would if it was for a good cause and he was "supervised" (like he had a boat behind him keeping an eye on him).

The kid is probably an EXCELLENT swimmer and would be swim team material someday.

Re: Would you let your nine year old son do this?

no way

Re: Would you let your nine year old son do this?

That is a brave boy and it was for a great cause but H E L L no- I would never feel comfortable with my child doing that.

Re: Would you let your nine year old son do this?

YES if he wanted to do it i would - they have teams of people with them it isnt like he was swimming alone

Re: Would you let your nine year old son do this?

I saw him and his coach on the Today Show the morning before he did it. They said there aren't really an sharks around. He has been training there for a while and swimming in those waters already (just not the whole distance). He was doing it with a swim club of adults (so he wasn't the only one, just the youngest). And there were boats around. Based on what I heard them say on tv, I would let my son do it.

Re: Would you let your nine year old son do this?

I was watching a show on Alcatraz the other night and they said the sharks around there are harmless. They just spread those rumors to all the prisoners years ago to keep them from trying to escape. They said the rumor just escalated over the years.

Re: Would you let your nine year old son do this?

Posted by ChristineR

9 years old??? No, I wouldn't. Good cause or not...that's too dangerous

Re: Would you let your nine year old son do this?

Oh and to answer the original question: No, I probably wouldn't let my 9-year old swim in open waters like that with choppy waves and dangerous undercurrents.

Re: Would you let your nine year old son do this?

I would and be really proud of him or her for wanting.

To even attempt this they would of course have to be an extremely strong swimmer and it's for a good cause. I presume there was some riding along with him the entire time, I don't think anyone would knowingly let their child do this all by themself.

My cousin was a strong swimmer like this when he was in school...he has a bunch of medals & held some records for his group way back when.

Re: Would you let your nine year old son do this?

MY SIL won't even let her 10 almost 11 year old son ride his bike around the block by himself(busy area) but I think maybe that is a little too stifling. The boy swimming is a little too much in the other direction. Imagine how confident and strong this boy is going to be...I don't know it's a tough argument. I might consider it if there were safeties in place.

Re: Would you let your nine year old son do this?

YES i would.....

I am sure there was a boat right next to him in case he got into trouble..

I think the experience of doing that, allowing him to feel he was helping out people ....is priceless

Re: Would you let your nine year old son do this?

He had his swim instructor swimming right by his side. He did not do it alone.