Re: [Paddlewise] Introducing kids to sea kayaking

>From: Peter O <rebyl_kayak_at_hotmail.com>
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?

Howdy all!
I've taken a long hiatus from kayaking while my girls were young.  I was
kayaking a lot when they were very little, but after some wise counseling from
my wife, my priorities shifted from "boater" to "dad".  I haven't been in a
sea kayak in 2 years, but do get in a ww boat 3-4 times a year.  My ultimate
goal has been to get my daughters on the water with me.
 
They're now 8 and 10 and clamoring to go!
 
I kept kayaks completely out of the picture from the time they were very
little.  We concentrated on swimming--a lot!!  At first with floaty swimsuits,
then with PFD's in the pool, lakes and rivers with PFD's, then to pool time
without PFD's and lakes without PFD's.   Once they and I were comfortable with
them being on/in/under the water, I knew they'd be ready to be in kayaks.
 
I waited....
 
Early last summer, we were camping with another couple who had brought their
recreational kayaks.  Our girls asked if they could try them out, and they
spent a couple great hours out exploring the small lake. I looked out at one
point to see my then 9 year-old Morgan standing up in her kayak. So proud, so
proud.

Then 7 year-old Mackenzie walked up to me, and said, "Daddy, you used to kayak
a lot. Do you still remember how?"



"Daddy, do you think we could get our own kayaks?"

GAME ON!!!  :)

Since we live near several incredible Class I-III rivers, we found a couple of
used kids-sized whitewater kayaks, which they can also use to explore the
shorelines of our local lakes. They received them for Christmas.

A buddy of mine and I rented out semi-weekly sessions at a local physical
therapy pool. He has a son and a daughter the same ages as our girls. His kids
had started roll practice late last summer, and by their first and second
sessions, had their rolls down. As a reward for 'owning' their rolls, they got
to pick out new whitewater helmets. Our girls really wanted "their helmets!!"

Everything clicked last month, when 10 year-old Morgan said, "Dad, can I still
get my helmet if I roll without my paddle?"

"Sure, sweetie."

So, she cranked off 6 handrolls in 8 attempts. She'll need to learn to hang
onto her paddle eventually, but a roll is a roll! I couldn't very well tell
her that she was expected to get a base hit and that a home run didn't
qualify!

8 year-old Mackenzie has a beautiful sweep roll.
 
I feel that "sea" kayaking and true "whitewater" kayaking require experience
and good judgement.  For the time being, we'll stick to mellow rivers and if
we do hit large lakes or the ocean, we'll stick to calm estuaries and
shoreline exploration as their physical skills and judgement develop. 
Frankly, long crossings and "interesting" conditions aren't likely to interest
kids anyway!
 
1. Get them comfortable in the water
2. Start slowly, go at their pace
3. Let their interests set the schedule: quit when they're tired/bored
 
Shawn
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