What’s the Best Way to Get Kids into Paddling?
One of the questions I get asked the most is “How and when should I start paddling with my kids?” and it's a good question.
I took my own daughter down the whitewater section of the Ottawa River for the first time when she was 6 months old. We took a raft on that trip, and for many others until she was old enough to ride in the front of my Dynamic Duo. We switched between the tandem whitewater kayak and the raft for a number of years, and we always made sure it was something she wanted to do. We never pressured her into either option.
This year, she took her first week-long paddling course with Liquid Skills Kayak & SUP School, and she’s started asking to go out in her own kayak. Now, she’s able to paddle (and roll!) her own kayak, which as opened up a whole new world of paddling opportunities.
These are my tips on how to make paddling with your little ones safe and enjoyable for everyone so that they want to go paddling with you again in the future.If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the Paddle Tales episode where I paddle the Ottawa River’s Middle Channel with my daughter in separate kayaks for the first time below!
Check Out Paddle Tales
Paddle Tales follows World Champion kayaker, Ken Whiting, around North America as he explores the continent by sea kayak, whitewater kayak, canoe, and stand up paddleboard, while telling the stories of the unique people and places that he encounters.
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