Re: [Paddlewise] Teaching Kids: Looking for sourcesRe:

mkircus_at_academicplanet.com wrote:

Some very good advice.
 
> With kids, you want them to NOT be scared and to feel as though they are
> playing. So games are the order of the day.  But she always starts with a
> little talk about parts of the boat, dressing for kayaking, etc., and
> then has each child get in a kayak and them spots him as two parents turn
> the kayak over, about 2 feet above the ground, so the kids know they will
> just fall out of the kayak. Another game is to have a lot sponges and
> have kids throw them at each other, paddle after them and retreive them
> to throw again.  And one of the most fascinating things – she lines all
> the kids up in a row and then lets them get out of their kayaks, one at a
> time and attempt to run across all the rest of the kayaks.  Of course
> they all eventually fall in and have to get back into their boats (that's
> the real point) but they think they are having a contest as to who can
> run across the most boats. And  don’t forget – teach the turning strokes
> BEFORE you teach them forward strokes.  Otherwise, in a lake, you have
> kids all over who can’t get back.  We always have a few people acting as
> boat herders and rescuers when we teach on the lake.
> 
> Marilyn

I teach kids recreational canoeing, and if you have more questions, or want to
be more specific about ages and what you want to do, I and others may have more
suggestions.

My 2-cents worth is:  
1.	As stated above, start with a run down of the parts of the boat, paddle, PFD,
and so on so that people will know what you are talkking about.  Include general
instructions here such as where or which way to go in the event of getting
nervous, instructors being invoilved with a real rescue, etc.
2.	Teach the brace first.  Gives people an amazing amount of confidence once
they see how much control they have over the tippiness of the boat.

GaryJ
-- 
Director, Family Canoeing Centre
Recreational canoeing courses for the whole family.
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