Re: [Paddlewise] kayaks for kids

From: Dave Uebele <daveu_at_sptddog.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 16:50:51 -0800
I've had more luck finding kid sized wetsuits at dive
shops than at kayaking shops. Try looking there as well.  At least
this was the case in the Puget Sound area.
I also saw that West Marine carries kid sized wetsuits. Might
need to ask or special order, but they should have them.

Biggest problem for my 3 year old is boredom.  Last couple of times
I took out in the kayak (necky "pungo") about a hundred yards from shore
the "I wanna get out" starts up.  Just trying to keep a little one
to stay put in the cockpit is really hard.  I've tried
both the pungo (larger opening central cockpit), and putting her
in the front cockpit of a double.  Other than being bored
and whining, she's a fairly reasonable passenger, not the best though, 
sort of in the the way trying to get a good paddle stroke in.

She's getting too big for sharing even the pungo cockpit with me
(she's already over 40 pounds), but not heavy enough for reasonable
trim in a double.  Not sure I'm ready to let her have a paddle
and try to help paddle a double yet either...

Its just easier to plunk her on a larger petro powered boat with a few
toys and space to run around.

So, the choice is either go on really short kayak trips, or burn
dinos.  Any suggestions on how to deal with this difficult
age, or at what age its reasonable to attempt kayaking with kids again?

thanks
dave

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Received on Tue Dec 12 2000 - 21:17:00 PST

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