[Paddlewise] Talking to Kids about Paddling

Again this year I made a short presentation to the new kindergarten students
at Royal City's Red Rock Elementary. Getting dressed up in my drysuit, PFD
and helmet in the summer (ok, fall) heat (record heat, I might add) was ok
for a while but by the time it was over I had worked up quite a sweat.

Five-year-old kids are sponges for information and these were no exceptions.
About 125 of them (a bumper crop, you might say) gathered around me to hear
my talk. No Powerpoint presentation needed, thank you very much. When asked
which of the two kayaks (an SOF and a kevlar Mariner) they liked the best
they all liked the "white one" (the Mariner II) but after Sue and I carried
the SOF F-1 around so that each of them could pound it like a drum they
changed their minds. Nothing like a drum to get a kid's attention.

These kids are about 80% Latino and kayaking in general is not part of their
culture (Rafael is trying to change this, I bet). They all know what boats
are though and when presented with a boat that looks like it fits their size
and can be used as a drum too... well.... it's hard not to be excited.

Everyone had a good time. Sue is now known as the lady who is married to
"the kayak man" (she is a parapro teacher at the elementary school and a bus
driver for the District). I love having kids around and this was one time I
could get my fill.

More on the story at my blog... www.nwkayaking.net .

Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
www.nwkayaking.net
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