![]() ![]() Tip #2: Is Your Child Old Enough To Paddle Solo? Bonus Tip: Get Them Used To PFDsĮxplain to your child why wearing a life jacket is so important – without scaring them – and get them used to wear one whenever they’re on or near the water.Īlso, keep an eye on the PFD’s quality and sizing:Ī life jacket that feels itchy and uncomfortable won’t be of much use – and might even put your little ones off wearing a PFD altogether. So, wear your life jacket – and make sure your child wears one, too. But when you’re kayaking with kids – whether they’re paddling solo or with you in a tandem – wearing a PFD becomes even more crucial. Life jackets are already mandatory for all recreational boaters by law. I said this many times before, and I don’t mind repeating it a thousand times more: I’ll start with the single most important thing – on-the-water safety. Tip #1: Never – Ever – Skimp Out On Safety Careful planning and additional considerations are every bit as important. There’s more to it than picking the best kayak for kids. 3+ Tips For Kayaking With Kids: Where Fun Meets Safety However, they can be very tippy and difficult to keep stable – so are not suggested for younger children interested in recreational paddling. Here is extra some information on how to increase the stability of a kayak.Ī word of warning on paper whitewater kayaks may appear to be a good option for youngsters since their dimensions satisfy the above requirements. Granted, a wider kayak with a relatively flat bottom will be less efficient – but efficiency and speed shouldn’t be a top priority for kids’ kayaks, anyway. Reverse chines, or fin-shaped extensions on the kayak’s hull, which add lateral stability and improve tracking.Flat-bottom or pontoon-style hull shapes, which are considered the most stable type of hull design.A wider hull, which tends to make the kayak more stable, easier to balance, and ultimately less prone to capsizing.On that note, the three key factors that impact a kayak’s stability are: Plus, their balance will likely be all over the place.Īnd if they’re going to build up their confidence, they need a kayak that won’t capsize every time they make a wrong move. If this is your child’s first time paddling alone and they don’t have much – if any – previous kayaking experience, some beginner’s mistakes are to be expected. On that note, if you can’t seem to find one that matches your child’s weight, it’s safe to assume that they’re ready to upgrade to a full-sized “grown-up” kayak. Leave some wiggle room in terms of maximum capacity. Your little one won’t stay little for long – and may outgrow the kayak faster than you think. ![]() You can narrow things down based on appropriate sizing, focus on kayaks that fit your child’s weight and height, and go from there. That probably sounds confusing as heck, but it makes your decision a lot easier – at least in theory, anyway: Some might even have height ratings, too. One thing you’ll notice as you start browsing for the best kayaks for kids is that they’re typically categorized based on weight ratings. Hull’s length is still something to consider, though:Ī kayak for kids needs to be long enough that it doesn’t compromise on-the-water performance but short enough that it’s portable and easily maneuverable – both in and out of water.Īlthough there are some exceptions, a shorter hull of around 6 to 8 feet long is ideal for most kids. It’s not like you’ll be buying a full-sized touring or racing kayak for your 10-year-old. One thing that’s going to make your choice a lot easier is that, with kids’ kayaks, specialized hull length and type generally aren’t a deciding factor. So, take your previous kayak shopping experiences and shrink them down to a more kid-friendly size – and that’s pretty much it when looking for kayaks for kids Length: A Shorter Hull Makes For A Better Kids-Friendly Kayak Both “groups” are still in the early stages of their kayaking journey and have fairly similar needs. Plus, the best kayaks for kids have a lot more in common with beginner kayaks than you think. Yes, there are some noticeable differences between kids kayaks and those designed for adults – but we’re not talking about two different breeds here.įactors such as durability, storage space, portability, adjustability, and price apply to both child and adult kayaks. ![]()
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