Kayaking With Kids

Kayaking With Your Kids

How to safely kayak with children

Kayaking is an easy activity for the whole family to enjoy, and as not much strength is required, it is perfect for all age ranges from infants up to teenagers and beyond. However, the focus of this guide is younger children, which will help put you at ease and allow them to make the most of their kayaking experience.

Your Children’s Safety Comes First

As the responsible adult, it is up to you to make sure that the child is well fitted out with all of the appropriate safety gear. The first thing you will need is a well-fitting life vest that should be worn at all times by your child while on the water. If you are going out on cold water, then a wetsuit may also be a good choice to consider.

It is absolutely vital that you never strap or your child onto or into the kayak as if it happens to tip over, it could lead to drowning. Take note of any adverse weather conditions or potentially dangerous waterways and ensure that you have a fully stocked first aid kit stored away. These basic common sense guidelines not only make kayaking with kids a safe experience, but will allow you to relax and enjoy it too.

What is the best kayak for kayaking with young kids?

This is a question that gets asked a lot and will depend on the comfort levels and the ability of your child. For newbies to kayaking and those who are particularly young, a sit-on-top kayak will often prove to be perfect starting kayak.  A tandem sit-on-top kayak can usually accommodate 2-3 people depending on the model and it’s perfect for small families who want to enjoy the experience together. This also allows the more experienced paddler to take control of the kayak while letting the little ones simply enjoy the experience while getting used to being on the water.  Should you decide to go this route the Bali 13.5 tandem makes a great family kayak as it can seat up to 3 people and allows for a young child to sit between two parents or adults.

Not all children will feel comfortable being seated on a sit-on-top kayak, and if it is just you and one child, then you do have the option of placing them on your lap in a sit-in kayak or opt for a tandem sit in kayak. This not only prevents active little children from falling into the water, but also keeps them dry and provides enough stability to help keep them calm while you take the reins. If choosing this option, make sure to get a kayak that has a large, open cockpit to allow for freedom of movement and easy entry / exit of the kayak.  The Aruba 12 ss, with it’s large open cockpit works well for this type of family kayaking.  The choice will ultimately be yours, so try to take the child’s feelings into account beforehand.

Now, If your child is a strong swimmer and has the confidence to go it alone, then it is time to switch things up.

Your Child’s First Kayak

Once your child is ready to get out on the water with you in their own kayak, then understanding their abilities will help you decide what kayak is best suited to them.  To minimize the chances of your child falling into the water or capsizing,  a broad-based kayak will provide them with the confidence and stability necessary to fully enjoy their day on the water.

When choosing a kayak for your child, consider the type of activity that they will typically be using the kayak for.  A sit in kayak will typically feel more secure to a child when sitting in the cockpit of a sit-in kayak as it provides more stability due to the fact that they are sitting on the waterline.  The draw back of a sit-in kayak is the fact that should your child tip it over, it’s a little harder to get out of and the kayak will fill with water.  The Aruba 8 kayak is our best sit-in kayak for kids.

On the other hand, a sit-on-top kayak is slightly less stable as the weight of the paddler is typically above the waterline. The benefits however, are that if the child wants easy access in and out of the water, then this is the perfect choice for them and should the kayak tip over, your child can simply flip it right side up and continue using it without having to drain the water out.  This option works great for use in warm weather when kids will be swimming and playing on the kayak several times throughout the day.  The best sit-on kayaks for kids who want this type of use are: Bali 6, Bali 8 SS and Camino 8 SS.  Older kids may prefer to use the Bali 10 SS.

Final Thoughts

Kayaking with kids can be a fun and fulfilling experience for everyone. It not only allows them to reconnect with nature and take a time-out from a world filled with modern technology and stress, but also educates them water safety and etiquette. It is important to remember that everyone’s feelings must be taken into consideration and you should never push the child to go it alone if they are not ready. As soon as they get their water wings, it will have them hooked for life.

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