![]() Likewise, kids are more at risk of sunburn than adults. Taking your kid out on the water in the middle of winter is not a great idea, even if they are appropriately dressed for cold weather. Kids get cold easier than adults, so it’s essential to consider the air and water temperatures before you set out kayaking. Therefore, busy waterways with lots of motorized boat traffic are not ideal for kids, especially while learning the basics. Unfortunately, not all boaters pay enough attention to where they’re going, and some are not particularly patient with inexperienced kayakers. ![]() Once your child feels confident in a kayak and can perform the basic paddle strokes, wet-exits, and safety procedures, you might be able to venture onto faster-flowing rivers, larger lakes, or paddle along the coastline.Īlso, consider water traffic when choosing your kayaking routes. If you’re unsure where the best places for kayaking with kids are, your local paddle group might be a fantastic information source. Routes that offer a lot of variety are preferable so that your kids don’t get bored. Think slow-moving rivers, ponds, small lakes, or possibly a sheltered inlet. You’ll want to stick to calm waters until your child has a good amount of kayaking experience. Or consider letting them invite a friend if you have a second adult available to help supervise. Suggest routes that you know will be interesting for them. Once they’re interested, start planning the route together so that your child feels involved at every step of the journey. Alternatively, you could enroll them in a kayaking class if they’re old enough. You can also encourage them by letting them try sitting in a kayak at home or at a kayaking store. Perhaps you can share your epic paddling adventures or watch videos about kayaking together to pique their interest. If you want your kids to share your love of kayaking, then start talking about the sport with them. By this age, most kids will have developed a longer attention span and the physical strength needed to kayak continuously for half a mile to a mile. Under sevens may be able to paddle continuously for up to a quarter of a mile in a small kayak.Īs with tandem paddling, most kids over the age of seven will be able to paddle a small kayak. ![]() ![]() If you want to get your kid into the sport early, five to seven is a good age to start practicing in a swimming pool or calm waters. But at this age, practice will primarily involve holding the paddle and paddling for just a few minutes. Some kids start practicing in child-sized kayaks as young as three or four years old. When Can a Child Start Kayaking in Their Own Kayak? Kids aged eight and over may be strong enough to paddle in the bow position. Duffing is a fantastic way to introduce kids to kayaking, and you can bring a kid-sized paddle so they can start practicing basic paddling skills. Kids aged between four and eight are perfect for duffing in a tandem kayak if they can sit still long enough. You’ll also need an experienced stern paddler who can control the kayak independently if required, and you’ll need to be able to take care of yourself and a toddler in a capsize. But duffing is not recommended unless your toddler can sit still for extended periods and can float themselves face-up while wearing a PFD. Some experienced paddlers choose to take toddlers duffing (riding as a passenger in the center seat) in tandem kayaks. However, we’ll use ages to simplify this explanation. Kayaking with a child will depend on the child’s maturity level, physical ability, and your own kayaking experience. Below we’ve outlined the most important things to consider when planning a kayaking trip with kids. ![]() Planning Your TripĪs with most outdoor activities, planning is key to a successful adventure. That’s why we’ve put together this guide with everything you need to know before taking your kids paddling. Of course, kayaking with kids is not like kayaking with an adult. And, because it’s possible to paddle on various waterways, they’re less likely to get bored. If you’re looking for a fun way to get your kids interested in the great outdoors, kayaking is an excellent place to start.Ĭompared to other sports, kayaking is relatively low intensity, and even young children can manage short trips in solo or tandem kayaks. ![]()
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