kayaking kids blog
Our family's learning experiences, stories, guides and favorite things
Paddling is very intuitive. It only takes a few minutes of sitting on a kayak and playing around in the water with a paddle to start to get a feel for what to do. Then the fun begins! Your child will be so excited to propel themselves through the water, even if they don't go in a straight line at first. They will get a feel for how to use their paddle to maneuver their kayak. They will improve with experience and as they get stronger.
I think for many children basic paddle strokes come very naturally, and it is not always necessary for to discuss every stroke before they get in the water, though talking through stroke techniques as your child makes progress can help them grown in skill. The basic paddle strokes to get your kids started are:
On your first day of putting your kids on the kayak keep these points in mind:
As your kid and maybe your whole family progresses in paddling, you will be able to go in many different directions with your paddling experiences, and I encourage you to read books and take courses teaching advanced kayaking skills if and when you feel your family is ready. Our goal is to help brand new families take the first step to getting a kayak and helping their kids get started. Our boys are not particularly interested in fast pace high adrenaline activities. They are more into science and nature, and so they can spend endless time paddling and exploring in ponds, lakes, and rivers. Though exciting, whitewater is probably a long way down the road for these boys, if it ever is on their radar at all. Every child and every family is different. The joy of paddling is that it can take you on many different adventures in the future (whitewater, fishing, camping, touring trips) but for now enjoy this beginner stage and encourage your kids to take their time and have fun. Stay nearby while they are learning and always be prepared to help them if they feel overwhelmed. Keep trips short and opt for good weather days. Be prepared with all the things that make a kayaking trip fun! Comments are closed.
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Our FamilyWhen we moved to a house in Connecticut with a river in our own backyard we started venturing into the world of kayaking for our three young boys. After reading, buying, trying and learning, we decided to share everything we discovered along the way for other families who are ready to get their kid's feet wet in the world of paddling. |