Lake District - Dealing with Children and Tourists?

[Nstr]

We took the SIB out to Derwentwater today and it was packed to the brim with tourist hire boats, and we ended up spending 10 minutes being chased around by a hire boat being piloted by a 10 year old girl who was treating the whole lake like bumper cars. Parents in the back completely oblivious/didn’t care.

Eventually decided it was too dangerous - the lake was also full of people doing doughnuts, trying to knock paddleboarders off with their wakes etc. and we abandoned the trip and packed up early.

What’s the best course of action when this kind of behaviour happens?

[Fenlander]

Very frustrating when you just want to do some relaxing boating. Always the potential for this where there are self drive hire boats. Withdraw and go some place more remote next time is the only option

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Nstr

We took the SIB out to Derwentwater today and it was packed to the brim with tourist hire boats, and we ended up spending 10 minutes being chased around by a hire boat being piloted by a 10 year old girl who was treating the whole lake like bumper cars. Parents in the back completely oblivious/didn’t care.



Eventually decided it was too dangerous - the lake was also full of people doing doughnuts, trying to knock paddleboarders off with their wakes etc. and we abandoned the trip and packed up early.



What’s the best course of action when this kind of behaviour happens?

Avoid school holidays/bank holidays/weekends. Easily said, but that’s the reality.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Nstr

What’s the best course of action when this kind of behaviour happens?

You did exactly the right thing, pack up for the day.

Unfortunately some areas of the Lakes have become no go zones for me on sunny weekends, Keswick and Derwentwater being one such area.

I much prefer Ulleswater, yes it can be very busy in the popular areas, Pooley Bridge and Glenridding, but Ulleswater is big enough to find an area away from the hire boats, paddle boarders etc Get to Glenridding early - before 9.30. Launch from the steamer carpark slipway and head down towards Howtown on the far shore. I think you will find it is a far more pleasurable day.