Re: [Paddlewise] Introducing kids to sea kayaking

From: Craig Jungers <crjungers_at_gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:13:33 -0700
On Thu, Apr 26, 2012 at 4:00 PM, Peter O <rebyl_kayak_at_hotmail.com> wrote:

> G'day,
>
> Having been a Grandad for a while now wondered if anyone had thoughts or
> experience, links or references, on when and how to introduce kids to sea
> kayaking?
>

My two "honorary" granddaughters we both in kayaks pretty young. Hailey
paddled a white water kayak (in circles) the first time at age 3 or 4. She
has paddled Pam's F-1 a mile or two alone... and capsized once in the Chris
Cunningham SOF I bought from a guy in Richland. That was last summer. She's
going to be 11 on April 30th.

Brianna has been in the CC SOF too. (Both of them work best with a GP
because it's so light.)

Our daughter, Kristy, has had her two boys (Ethan and Carter; 5 and 4) in
kayaks almost since they were infants. Their dad paddles a Telkwa and they
took the rear hatch off as a second cockpit. Kristy stayed close.

We have an old Loon (long open cockpit kayak 11 feet long - you know the
type) and it makes a great kayak for taking a kid out. You can nestle them
between your legs. Paddling can be difficult.

We sold something to a couple with two kids one time 2 summers ago and
their two kids - a boy and a girl - hung around with me. I put them into
Pam's F-1 (whcih we keep here) and they fought over it for an hour. Just
put them in a PFD and let 'em go ... but keep a close eye on them with a
rescue in mind.

Basically, if they aren't afraid of the water... get them into a boat just
to play in. They quickly learn how to turn and all that. I always stayed
close though.

Craig
***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************
Received on Thu Apr 26 2012 - 21:13:42 PDT

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:31:46 PDT