Enjoy the Minnesota waters safely this summer
7/17/2025 by Ika Kovacikova, M.D.
Some of my best memories from growing up occurred in and around the water. Families in Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes, have ample opportunity to create memories while boating, canoeing, sailing and swimming. In fact, a recent survey found that Minnesota has more shoreline from lakes, rivers and streams than California, Florida and Hawaii combined.
However, I wanted to take a moment to review these safety guidelines to ensure that your summer goes "swimmingly."
Swimming with kids
- When purchasing a life jacket, make sure it is U.S. Coast Guard-approved and that it fits the weight range for your child. Inflatable water wings, tubes and toys are not safe substitutes.
- Appoint an adult "water watcher" if there is no lifeguard available, and alternate shifts every 15 minutes to stay alert.
- Always enter unfamiliar water feet first instead of diving to avoid hitting unseen rocks and sandbars.
- Practice these safety tips with young children: Floating on your back, swimming to the side of the pool, and hoisting yourself out independently.
- Home swimming pools should be surrounded by a 5-foot fence and have a self-closing gate that can latch and be locked.
- Choose brightly colored swimsuits to help children be more visible while swimming.
Boating
These items should always be quickly accessible on your boat:
- Life jackets, fire extinguisher, sound device (whistle or horn), first aid kit and a paddle.
- A readily accessible wearable life jacket is required for every person onboard a watercraft while moving. Children under 10 years old are always required to wear a life jacket.
- One Type IV throwable device (such as an approved boat cushion with straps) is required on boats 16 feet or longer, except canoes and kayaks, and must be immediately available.
- Starting July 1, 2025, in the state of Minnesota, people born after June 30, 2024, will be required to have a valid motorboat operator's permit. The permit requirement will gradually apply to older age groups over the next few years. Visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' New Boater Education Law webpage for more information. Those without a permit can be supervised by permit owners who are 21 years old or older. The supervisor needs to be in immediate reach of the controls.
- Children less than 12 years old cannot operate a watercraft with a motor over 75 horsepower. If the motor is less than 75 horsepower, they can operate the boat, but only with an accompanying permitted operator.
- Alcohol is involved in approximately 30% of all fatal boating accidents in Minnesota. Drunk boating is drunk driving. Designate a sober driver and do not operate a boat or personal watercraft if you have been drinking.
- Access Minnesota's Boating Guide on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' website.
Think ahead
- Know how to swim. Having your children complete swimming lessons and knowing how to swim is important and can be lifesaving.
- When going out on the water, always let someone know where you are going, the route you are taking, when you expect to reach your destination and when you plan to return.
- Be weather-aware. Delay your trip or head immediately to shore if the weather becomes stormy.
- Carry a well-charged cellphone or radio, as your cellphone may not have service, and keep the device in a waterproof, floatable container.
- Always make sure you have plenty of food, water, bug spray and sunscreen.
Be smart, be safe and be well-prepared when out on the water. Have fun making lasting memories by enjoying recreational water activities.
Ika Kovacikova, M.D., is a pediatrician in Community Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. She earned her medical degree at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and completed her pediatrics residency at Brown University. She has spent numerous years enjoying the health benefits of swimming, educating others about water safety and finding adventure in the water (including swimming across the English Channel).