By Kim Foley MacKinnon
There’s no right age to introduce your kids to paddling. If they’re interested, it’s the perfect time. Experienced parents who know the ins and outs of water safety will be well prepared to start kids off with good practices. But if you need a refresher, you might prefer some help from the pros. More on that below.
However you go about teaching your crew, Dave Cole, the vice chair of AMC’s Worcester Chapter and a paddling leader, identifies two absolute essentials: a great sense of humor and patience. Following closely behind are a PFD (personal flotation device); a paddle; a dry bag for extra layers, snacks, and sunscreen; and the prerequisite that all participants are strong swimmers.
SAFETY FIRST
Ethan Hipple, coauthor of AMC’s Outdoors with Kids Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, stresses that kids should always wear PFDs and that parents should set a good example by wearing them too.
PFDs come in five types. Most children will wear a Type III, suitable for various activities, while infants will wear a Type II, designed for calm waters. You’ll choose a PFD based on your child’s weight: Infant PFDs are for kids 8 to 30 pounds; child PFDs, 30 to 50 pounds; and youth PFDs, 50 to 90 pounds. To test the fit, secure your child in the PFD then grasp the shoulders of the vest, lifting your child. Your paddler’s ears and chin should not slip through.
GET SCHOOLED
If you’d rather wait to invest in gear until you see how your kids take to the water, Cole suggests signing up for a workshop, which often provides everything you’ll need. In addition to the classes below, check with your local REI store and Audubon chapter.
AMC offers family-friendly paddling events throughout the year, including the
Midweek Getaway July 7-9 at Mohican Outdoor Center, 90 minutes from New York City. Check
activities.outdoors.org for updates.
Boating in Boston, with locations including Boston and Hopkinton, offers a two-hour kayak orientation on boating safety, equipment, basic strokes, and maneuvers. The class is geared toward first-timers and is capped at eight people, so kids will get plenty of direct instruction.
L.L. Bean’s
Kayaking Discovery Course, offered through many of its stores, begins with a safety talk. Participants are then fitted with a PFD, kayak, and paddle; once everyone is comfortable, the class hits the water for a guided interpretive tour.
Charles River Canoe & Kayak leads classes for kids, teens, and families in Boston, Newton, Waltham, and Cambridge. Advanced lessons in paddle boarding and sea kayaking are available, but the kids’ kayak class sticks to the basics, starting with an on-land introduction to equipment and strokes before diving into skill-building games.
DON’T FORGET FUN
PFD? Check. Basics mastered? Check. Great! Before you put in, Cole has one last piece of advice: Keep things playful. “Kids love games, like boat racing and balance tests, and are thrilled to play them on the water,” he says. He also advises packing beach chairs and nature guidebooks for when paddlers, adult or child, need to take a break.
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