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ECO TIPS - Kayaking With Kids Getting Going Why would you contemplate kayaking as a family? Are you interested in day paddling or going for a few nights out in a remote location? The answers to these will determine your goals and preparation plans. Before even discussing any trip, both parents need to be comfortable in an ocean kayak. Kids will pick up on the tense vibes from you if you feel out of your element. Gain some confidence through comprehensive lessons that include basic strokes, capsize recoveries, chart reading, navigation and weather interpretation. If the kids are eight years or older, then a kids kayaking camp or private lessons will work for them. Start with a short experience of an hour or two. Try renting some kayaks for an afternoon on a calm day. Are the kids into it? Let the kids dictate the pace and duration. Make an effort to point out the reasons for being on the water in a kayak: seeing birds, listening to the quiet, feeling the ocean underneath you, being together, having fun and so much more. Time for a longer trip? Going further afield takes some planing. Meet with your group ahead of time to discuss some trip options, food delegation, decision making processes and realistic destinations for the time frame and group. Most remote areas require extensive travel time to reach. Budget for copious breaks pack the kayaks too. Keep the kids in mind for those long travel and preparation times. They can help carry and pack their things. Ocean kayaking may be an activity that your family needs to approach methodically and slowly. Most kids are keen on kayaking with the proper introduction. Be patient and the results will impress you. Equipment Choosing an ocean kayak will be facilitated by renting first. There are many models suited for families. Some double kayaks come with center hatches able to seat a small child or two. For parent and child teams larger cockpit single kayaks are available but only fit for a few years. A better rout is a smaller adult boat they never need to trade in. From a couple of months old to about three years, kids will be in the front cockpit of a double with one parent while the other parent steers and provides propulsion. From about three to seven years old they can be in the middle cockpit of a double. From about seven to twelve they can be in the front of a double. From twelve on they can be in their own kayak for short trips after proper training. Having a kid in your lap in a wider single with a longer cockpit is possible if they weigh less than 25 lbs. Putting a kid in the back hatch of a single works. You will need to have additional buoyancy (float bags). Sitting kids in the back hatch is a great place for fishing and sleeping. There would bee no spray skirt for them. You'll need to turn around to monitor them. Any time you are needing the child to provide power, their stamina is great at the beginning. Be prepared for a rapid burnout. This means having to tow their kayak or, in a double, be ready for a workout. Kids paddles work in the front of a double or in their own kayak. The middle section of a double is too wide. Most kids do want to paddle, but a few strokes with your paddle and they will be spent and satisfied. The criteria for a kid to have a spray skirt is the ability to release it under their own initiative. A Stacey skirt with two tubes is available for the parent kid team. Practice with it if you use it. Personal Floatation Devices for kids are available in 20-30 lbs, 30-60 lbs, and 60-90 lbs. When kids get older they want to be seen in an adult PFD. Any kid's jacket must fit, function and be comfortable. Entertainment Tools Keeping kids entertained in the kayak is the secret to success. You will need to fill your tool box with: everything small that floats, songs, jokes, I spy, stories from the head, and well ... you know the routine. Planning your departure around nap time is a good idea. Keep travel time to the minimum (less than three hours). Have some contingency plans for stops. Check the charts to know where to stop. Nature interpretation is an asset for both you and the kids. Creating an enthusiasm for intertidal life and sea creatures will do you in good stead for years to come. Stay away from too many stuffed animals - they get wet. Thin plastic shapes that stick onto the kayak are an option. Tie some things on with a lightweight string to be dragged over the edge. String should be able to break (eg. Baker's string) Food is a great thing. Have lots of snacks and drinks at the ready. Put an extra life jacket on the floor of the cockpit for them to lie down for naps and for you to get some lap relief. Do not use the spray skirt if they are lying down in this way. They need air too. Small aquarium nets, magnifying glasses, clear lexan container with wide mouth screw lids are great for mini aquariums and ideal for carrying home mementos that may smell. Encourage keeping your souvenirs to a minimum. If you know the lifestyle of each critter this can help. On the mantle at home you can make up stories about life as a clam and they will remember their trip in a kayak and want to do more. You know your kids and their key entertainment tools. Use what you know. Clothing Fleece and capalene (polyester) are the underwear for kids. It is warm when it is wet and dries quickly. Avoid cotton as it saps away heat and takes too long to dry. Good rain gear is essential. Even two sets. Gum boots and Teva sandals for sure. Warm hats for when it gets snotty. When you come off the water, change the kids first into dry clothes, give them shelter and warm drinks if you see they are cold. You know they would never admit being cold. Wet suits work best if they are wet and snug fitting. They can become cold if they are ill fitting and being sweated in. Capalene underneath will help. Neoprene may relive your anxiety but will your kid be comfortable. A sleeveless john with adjustable shoulders is best. This allows for growth and clothing options. Taking Kids to the Tropics Kids love the tropics. The water is warm. the natives are friendly. There is lots to do on the beach. And they get to spend time with you without the usual distractions. Bugs, diseases, heat, unsanitary living, cultural differences and lots of other concerns are valid reasons not to go. If you looked at where you live now, you could probably find more things to be afraid of too. In choosing a destination be aware of the hazards that are beyond your risk tolerance for your child. Will your kids appreciate and remember the effort? They will if you have a good time for yourself. bring home souvenirs and remind them often of what they saw with pictures and their choice of mementos. Kids are a unique door opener to opportunities. Tropical cultures respect their children and cherish them. Their kids are also given freedoms that we tend to restrict. Go with the flow when you can. Kids need time to adapt to climate changes and strange environments. Prepare kids for the heat with full length lycra sun suits, plenty of sunscreen, large brimmed hats with under the chin straps. Try these on with the PFD on. Does the hat ride down onto their eyes. The tropics offers so much for kids, try it out! Hazards Capsize is rare in a double. Wet exits and capsize recoveries are exercises for the parents to begin practicing on their own, before introducing the concept to the kids. Your child can begin their practice on a calm warm day in shoulder depth water. try without the spray skirt for the first couple of tries. Then ensure that your kid can pull of the spray skirt with their eyes closed and in a hurry. Have them hold the pull tab before the capsize. Then practice getting back in the boat as a family. Wet exits and capsize recoveries should be done each season. Dehydration is common in adults, let alone being aware of it in kids. Juice containers with secure closures are a good idea. Keep plenty of water at hand in their own kid containers. Hypothermia (getting to cold) is a distinct reality for wet kids. Know how to treat it properly. Remove them from the offending environment (e.g. cloths, water). Consult a reliable resource for treating it. Common outdoor first aid considerations would be: bee stings, allergies to peanuts, infected cuts, all that stuff you need to be ready for even at home. Be clear about your capabilities. Be realistic about what the kids can do. Leave time for ferry fever at the end of the trip. Plan your trip with a comfortable weather window. A VHF radio is an excellent idea to have along. Know how to use it properly. It is ideal for getting the weather and being able to call for help. You can phone to let people know if your are late or forgot to bring something important. Coast Guard always monitors channel 16 and can help in an emergency. Stay on the beach if your in doubt. Is being late that important/ Proper trip planning will include contingency planning. You may never know all of the hazards of the area you are in. This maybe a good thing in some respects. It is better to be prudent and find out as much as you can. This means knowing how and who to contact in the event of an emergency. More that one person need to know what to do. Leave a Trip Plan with someone at home. Kids love to paddle. Parents do too. it is something we can all do together safely with proper preparation and realistic expectations. You need to go and try it, to know for sure. Kind Kayaking Gear Checklist Cloths
Entertainment
Kayak Stuff
Tropical Things
Resources The following is a list of links for equipment and information for paddling with kids. |