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Connecticut Water Trails
Program
Canoe Basics
Paddling With Your Kids
Why would
you contemplate paddling as a family? Are you interested in day
paddling, or going for a few nights out in a remote location? The
answers to these questions will influence your goals and preparation
plans. Before discussing any trip, both parents need to be comfortable
in a canoe or tandem 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 paddling camp or private
lessons will work for them.
Getting Going
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Start
with a short experience of an hour or two.
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Let
the kids dictate the pace and duration.
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Make
an effort to point out the reasons for being on the water in a canoe
or kayak: seeing birds, listening to the quiet, feeling the ocean
underneath you, being together, having fun and so much more.
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Going
further afield takes some planning. 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, as well as time for packing the canoe or kayak too.
Keep the kids in mind for those long travels and preparation times.
And don’t forget they can help carry and pack their things.
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Paddling 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
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Choosing a canoe or kayak will be facilitated by renting first as
there are many models suited for families for you to choose from.
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Some tandem 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 this option is only fit for the first few
years. A better route is a smaller adult boat for the child once
they are old enough. Choose wisely and they will never need to trade
it in.
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From a couple of months old to about three years, kids will be in
the front canoe or cockpit of a tandem kayak with one parent while
the other parent steers and provides propulsion.
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From about three to seven years old they can be in the middle of
the canoe or cockpit of a tandem kayak.
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From about seven to twelve they can be in the front of a canoe or
tandem kayak. From twelve on they can be in their own kayak for
short trips after proper training.
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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 too. You will need to have additional
buoyancy (float bags) in the hatch just incase you capsize, but
sitting kids in the back hatch is a great place for fishing and
sleeping. There would bee no spray skirt for them, and you'll need
to turn around to monitor them.
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If you need the child to provide paddling power, their stamina is
great at the beginning, but be prepared for a rapid burnout. This
means having to tow their kayak or, in a double, paddling the kayak
on your own. Be ready for a workout!
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Kids can use a paddle when in the front of a canoe, tandem kayak
or in their own kayak but the middle section of a double is too wide
for them to easily paddle. Most kids do want to paddle. Let them
take a few strokes with your paddle and they will be spent and
satisfied.
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The criterion for kids to have a spray skirt in a kayak 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.
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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. Be sure that the PFD fits. Any kid's jacket must
fit, function and be comfortable.
Entertainment Tools
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Keeping kids entertained in the canoe or kayak is the secret to
success. You will need to fill your toolbox with; everything small
that floats, songs, jokes, I spy, stories from the head, and well
... you know the routine.
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Planning your departure around naptime is a good idea. Keep
travel time to a minimum (less than three hours). Have some
contingency plans for stops. Be sure to check the charts to know
where the stops are.
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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.
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Stay away from too many stuffed animals - they get wet. Thin
plastic shapes that stick onto the canoe or kayak are an option. Tie
some things on with a lightweight string to be dragged over the
edge. String should be able to break (e.g. Baker's string)
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Food is a great thing. Have lots of snacks and
drinks at the ready.
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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.
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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.
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You know your kids and their key entertainment tools. Use what
you know.
Clothing
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Fleece and capilene (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.
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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.
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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 Kayaking In The Tropics
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Kids love the tropics. The water is warm. The natives are
friendly. There is a lot 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, but 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.
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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.
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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.
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Prepare kids for the heat with full length Lycra sun suits,
plenty of sunscreen, large brimmed hats with under the chinstraps.
Try these on with the PFD on. Does the hat ride down onto their
eyes?
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The Tropics offer so much for kids, try it out!
Hazards
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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 they capsize. Then practice
getting back in the boat as a family. Wet exits and capsize
recoveries should be done each season.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 you’re
in doubt. Is being late that important?
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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 than one person needs to know what to
do. Leave a Trip Plan with someone at home.
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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.
Kid
Paddling Gear Checklist
Clothing:
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Warm Fleece Top
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Warm Fleece Bottom
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Rain Jacket
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Rain Pants
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Windproof Jacket
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Warm Fleece Hat
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Rain Boots
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Tevas
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Sunscreen
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Big Brim Hat
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Sunglasses
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Sunglasses Retainer
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Binoculars
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Lightweight Scarves
Entertainment:
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Aquarium Net
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Small Floating Toys
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Toys To Drag Alongside
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Screw Top Containers
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Sand Toys
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Laminated Song Book
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Magnifying Devices
Canoe
/ Kayak Stuff:
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Stacey Spray Skirt
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Center Cockpit Skirt
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VHF Radio
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Lifejacket
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First Aid Kit
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Kids Paddle
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Tow Rope
Tropical Things:
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