Child-Sized Personal Flotation Devices
Messing about in kayaks with kids can be really fun, but it should go without saying that kid--just like adults--always need to wear PFDs when kayaking. With that in mind, be aware that an adult-sized PFD will not be suitable for children. Lifejackets need to fit properly in order to be effective, and there are many kid-sized PFDs on the market at very affordable prices.
Kid-Friendly Kayaks
Sit-on-top kayaks, in particular, are great for kids, as there is no chance of swamping the kayak, and they are incredibly versatile when it comes to accommodating children of different ages. Younger kids can sit between their parent's legs, whether on a single or tandem kayak. This position will put both participants' minds at ease. Older kids can sit in the front of a tandem and paddle to their heart's content while the parent controls the kayak from the rear. Sit-on-top kayaks also effectively act as movable floating docks that allow kids to jump and swim from them, and then crawl back on top them as they please. Tandem sit-inside kayaks can also be great for paddling with kids, although it's important to remember that a child's attention span won't be the same as yours, and the youngster may lose interest quickly if all you are doing is paddling forward.
Keeping Kids Interested
Of course, paddling with kids has the potential of being a trial for everyone involved, but there are a few ways to avoid any on-water ugliness. First of all, don't smother kids with rules or technical paddling advice--let them try it their way. Don't expect kids to enjoy spending extended periods of time quietly sitting in a kayak, or efficiently paddling in rhythm for hours. If your plan is to complete an ambitious three-hour tour of the entire lake shoreline (with minimal pit stops), then a full-on mutiny should also be on your schedule. Kids get bored fast if their curiosity and creativity aren't engaged, so wherever possible let them set the goals and make up the games. Their imaginations will astound you, and in seconds they'll be using a kayak in ways that you never even considered. If you do "need" to cover a certain amount of ground, bribery is always a valid option. Bring small treats along for the ride and you'll be able to keep kids interested and happy for a bit longer.
Safety First: Balancing Rules and Fun
Although giving kids the freedom to play is important, you should introduce enough structure to ensure that everyone remains safe. Keep a constant eye on all activities and set a few basic guidelines and rules--like always wearing a life jacket, and not crossing clearly defined paddling and swimming boundaries.
In the end, in order to have a good time paddling with kids, you need to accept that it will be a different paddling experience than you might be used to--and there's no reason to fight it. You might as well get in there with the rug rats and have a splashing, goofy, good time yourself.
This is a segment from a new book by Ken Whiting and Alex Matthews, called `Recreational Kayaking - An Essential Guide'. For more information and to see a sample of the book, visit The Heliconia Press website - www.helipress.com
Ken Whiting is a World Champion Kayaker and the author and producer of an award winning series of instructional kayaking books and videos. In 2000 he was recognized by Paddler Magazine as one of their `Paddlers of the Century'. For more information, visit www.helipress.com