Last year, over Fathers Day weekend, we towed a trailer with six kayaks and a canoe to McCloud Reservoir near Mt. Shasta, where my father lives part of the time. The idea had been to give 11 of my nieces and nephews (ages 5 to 20) and their parents the opportunity to try their hand at paddling. When it came time to go, I had serious reservations. Would someone get hurt? Would the kids fight over the boats? I was more than a little concerned about the possibility of being left with a mess to clean, pack and repair.

I discussed my concerns and plans with my wife. Nancy wisely declined to become directly involved in fleet operations but was willing to listen to my  ideas and concerns and offer suggestions. The first rule was that everyone (children and adults) would be required have their PFD on and properly adjusted before picking up a paddle or entering a boat. The parents (my brothers and sisters) and the older kids understood that it made it much easier if they set the example for the younger kids and wore their PFDs without complaint. The older kids in our family have been around boats enough so that they know this family policy. The youngsters quickly realized that wearing PFDs wasn't negotiable. It never came up as an issue.

We decided that the boats should be launched one at a time rather than having a disorganized free-for-all. We were not trying to make it to a destination; the plan was to just give everyone the opportunity paddle a boat, as long or as little as they felt inclined to do so. We would give the youngest kids first option on boats figuring that if they did go, they would not stay out as long as the older ones. Boats were to remain within sight of the launching area and were to return at the sound of a whistle or car horn.

Not surprisingly, the kayaking proposal received an enthusiastic response. I assumed my best Camp Counselor persona and gave a group orientation. It was a nice sunny day; the water was cool and refreshing but not too cold to swim in. There was hardly a breeze blowing. All of the kayaks were sit-on-tops so there was little worry about them sinking if they were capsized. The canoe, even with its built in flotation, presented the greatest risk of capsize but the kids had little interest in addling our bulky old canoe. The youngest of the group didn't want to go at first but indicated that they might try later. After about 20 minutes, all 7 boats were launched and everything looked to be going well. For the remainder of the afternoon, the kids and adults took turns with the kayaks.

When the youngest wanted to try, they had the choice of taking the front seat in the double kayak or using one of the singles. Before leaving shore, we gave only brief, basic instructions. Once in the water, they were allowed to experiment and given further direction on foreword and reverse strokes. When paddling a single kayak, they were first tethered to a length of cord. This way, we could pull them back to shore if they couldn't get the kayak back on their own. Once we were satisfied that they could paddle straight and turn when they wanted to, they were released to paddle un-tethered (near the launch area and accompanied by an adult.)

At the end of the day, I was pleased with how well it had gone. The biggest surprise was how easily the kids had taken to paddling. One 10 year old nephew was out nearly three hours, paddling alone most of the time. I asked my sister if he was ok. She answered quietly: "This is really his element." He doesn't enjoy school or competitive sports. This is his thing. When he came back, he proudly announced that he had caught and released four trout (and his fishy aroma left little doubt that he really had.)

 

My wife Nancy and I had taken our 7 year old daughter, Haley for a few rides in a double kayak and decided that we preferred to have her in her own kayak, we tow her when she asks and release her to do her own paddling when she will.

Last winter on vacation near Guaymas, Mexico, my wife and I took Haley along on some short explorations, kayaking in protected bays. Our daughter is really more interested in beach combing and tide pools than paddling. We have shown her that many of the best sites are only accessible by kayak.  She was using a "kids" paddle that was really just a toy and couldn't accomplish very much with it. She had apparently noticed that Nancy and I both coveted the same ultra-light graphite paddle and finally announced that she wanted to use it. It had not occurred to me to let her try a paddle that was 230 cm. long. The effect that this paddle had on her ability to propel the kayak however was amazing. I believe that its lightweight as well as the easy to use, asymmetric, dihedral shape more than offset the excessive length. When we got home, I ordered her a 220 cm, 1-piece feathered paddle her with a very narrow blade. This length may be longer than is ideal. Most paddle manufacturers provide paddles that are 210 cm. for kids but Haley paddles a wide, stable kayak. I believe that wide kayaks necessitate the use of long paddles to comfortably reach the water. Also, as she grows, this paddle should continue to suit Haley for a long time. The builder knew this paddle was for a child and so made it especially light (14 oz.) We made a big deal about the paddle to encourage her. We feel that this paddle has really made a difference for her.

In all honesty, I can't say that Haley is an avid paddler. She has however, become conscious of the attention and comments that she hears when people see her paddling: "Wow, look how well that little girl can paddle a kayak!" She enjoys the attention so when she is in the mood, will occasionally put on a show. She is young enough so that she still prefers going along with Mom and Dad over being left behind. Haley often gets bored after the first mile and still requests to be towed even though she isn't really tired. I have found that she enjoys the trip more if we make a game of it. I let her splash me, ram into me, bumper boat style, cut me off at obstacles, and I do NOT paddle ahead of her. She may end up paddling three times as far to cover the same distance this way but it is more fun for all of us.

Most kids seem to pick up paddling very easy when they are ready for it. I wouldn't expect a young child to have much interest in paddling distances over about two miles. Most children do not possess the patience, discipline or stamina that is required for enjoying long hikes or bicycle trips either. If and when Haley is ready for touring, I expect it will be alone or with friends their own age.

A double kayak is a fine means to expose a child to paddling or take them out on the water but I don't think they learn how to paddle in a double. They (doubles) are more complicated to paddle and a child will not get much feel for what is happening or have any feeling of independence. I'd start a child out in a very basic, inexpensive, lightweight kayak like a Kiwi or Critter. Parents might also consider sit-on-tops. We started Haley out in a Dawn Trakker by Ocean Kayak. It is a sit-on-top hybrid. The removable cockpit combing on the Trakker gives her greater protection from splashes than regular open sit-on-tops. The cockpit drain holes are small and seal effectively with plugs for a dry ride. These are heavier than the Kiwi but if she ever did capsize, the consequences would be less traumatic.

While I think inexpensive kayaks are fine to start kids out in, it should be apparent that I do not feel the same way about paddles. Consider that a child is likely to maintain an average paddling force of only about two pounds or so. The forward stroke uses large muscle groups. The muscles used to support the weight of the paddle are much smaller. While I am not certain of how one might determine the best paddle length for a child, I believe that children do benefit greatly from having a lightweight paddle.