Ralph, et al, Well, some years ago CLC had, when their Cape Charles model was out front of the line, a Cape Charlie, specifically designed for kids. It may not be on the Website or in the catalog anymore, but I'd wager if you asked they'd sell you plans... ~~Paul *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
paulhollerbach_at_netzero.net writes: << Ralph, et al, Well, some years ago CLC had, when their Cape Charles model was out front of the line, a Cape Charlie, specifically designed for kids. It may not be on the Website or in the catalog anymore, but I'd wager if you asked they'd sell you plans... ~~Paul >> I had forgotten about the Charlie. I actually seem to remember now that it was quite popular. Since junior insists on a folding boat and since a hard chined Charlie will adapt well to that type of execution, I will research further. I'll revert on this subject as and when I get to it (but the construction write-ups will be on the FoldingBoats mailing list :-)). Thanks, Paul!! Best regards, Ralph C. Hoehn Ralph_at_PouchBoats.com www.PouchBoats.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I'm on the digest version, so don't know what has come down the pipe lately, but I do know PW'er Kirby Stevens and his wife have an excellent article in the latest Kanawa Magazine (official publication of the CRCA, which is the Canadian version of the BCU). The article expounds upon the issue of safety and pragmatism with respect to kids and kayaking. It is very well written and an excellent source of information -- given that no one else has touched on the subject that I can remember. My instructor buddies all shy away from this subject too, feeling kids shouldn't be kayaking until about 12. My personal opinion is that it is okay, as long as the parent(s) are experienced with the intended environment and chosen craft. Kirby does an on water seminar at the West Coast Symposium each year, with his lovely family. I believe his article was rejected by one or more other magazines as too controversial. It is ironic that it has shown up now, in a magazine devoted to safety (and a Canadian magazine, which just goes to prove how cutting-edge we paddlers are up here in the great white north -- and we even know who our political leaders are the next day with morning coffee :-) ). I know Kanawa doesn't pay, but hopefully the reward for Kirby and his wife will be the knowledge that they are providing valuable information. The latest issue of Wavelength Magazine is now available for downloading. If you want a hard copy, send me your address and I'll get one to you. It is devoted to wooden boats, and there is a lead article by our own Shawn Baker that sets the tone. I was supposed to do an article on ecoforestry and woodworking safety, but informed the editor at the last moment that I didn't think that made sense. He wrote a great piece on wood certification the next day, and my safety article will be out in the next issue (which will cover skin boats). I appealed to the Baidarka mail list for woodworking safety tips for the article, and if anyone on PW has anything, it would be appreciated. Safety smiles! Again, way to go Kirby (and spouse Karen!). Great read, and no "logorrhea qajakophonus". May your tribe increase. DL (still no takers for the CR Bar!) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
While we're on the subject of kayaking for kids I thought I'd mention a web site that I came across this morning in my search for pool toys for my niece. For those thinking of getting their kids interested in kayaking, check out www.warmbelly.com. They make wet suits for kids....really small kids. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Tue, 12 Dec 2000, Dave Uebele wrote: > I've had more luck finding kid sized wetsuits at dive > shops than at kayaking shops. Try looking there as well. Surfing shops also work well. > 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? I've got a video on taking small children canoe camping, I'll have to get the info from home. It's got a bunch of good tips on things to do. Take stones, take a stick with a string and "fish" on the line for them to drag... There's also a good faq written a while back by Kate Gregory http://www.gregcons.com/canoe/kidpaddle.htm Be sure to try the child with pfd in the water. I've read at least one post where someone found their child floated feet up when put into the water with their pfd on! With our first son we had to modify his PFD so he could sit in the canoe without having the pfd ride up around his neck (yes we did float test the modified pfd with him in it). kirk *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
daveu_at_sptddog.com writes: << 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. ... 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? >> Dave, We've had our rugrats in folding doubles and triples. In the latter case trim is a bit of a problem, but not overly so (and you can always add a few empty plastic milk containers filled with water in the bow). The huge, long open cockpit and the inheren stability of the boats allow the kids to move pretty freely, hang over the side, crawl under the forward deck, sit behind me, lie on the "floor boards" and nap or watch the sky go by. We do tend to paddle to "destinations" and take exploatory shore breaks every 20 minutes or half hour or so. We also keep them busy watching for rocks under the surface, checking where cormorants come back up after diving, reporting whether they caught anything ... I built my son a short "Aleut style" paddle. It's short enough for him to handle (with a sort of sliding stroke) and not long enough to bother the rest of the crew. He's no strong enough to slow the boat down hugely when he just sticks the paddle in the water ... seems ideal: He's "helping" and busy until he gets tired or his attention span slips away. Our son went overboard (wearing his PFD with large grab loop) accidentally although I have to admit that we allowed it to happen on purpose when he absolutely would not listen to our instructions to stay off the side decks. The rest of that trip was VERY quiet and he's been very reasonable about listening to instructions since. I got into kayaking in exactly the same way. We used to paddle mostly on rivers and the constant change in the scenery was enough to kep me interested ... and then there were the shore breaks ... and the mud fights and the swamp and the monster around the next curve ... Don't give up on those kids in the boat!!! Ralph C. Hoehn Ralph_at_PouchBoats.com www.PouchBoats.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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