Paddlesports for beginners
For parents already thinking about how to spend time on the water with their children this boating season, paddlesports offer a great, cost-effective activity.
Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards are age-appropriate for many young kids. Most 7 to 9 year olds can learn to handle a small kayak or paddle a canoe, and children as young as 5 can use a small paddleboard. Canoes and kayaks take you close to nature on lakes, streams and rivers. Very maneuverable, they allow you to explore along shores and among mangroves in southern waters. You can beach the craft on the shore and stay for a while or even camp overnight, where permitted. For a fun outing, go with another family that also has kids.
If you’re not familiar with these small human-powered craft, here are the basics:
- A canoe is usually an open-deck boat where you sit or kneel to use a one-blade paddle.
- A kayak can be open or closed, allowing you to sit inside or atop, while using a double-bladed paddle. Some kayaks can carry two people.
- A paddleboard is a board you stand or kneel on while using a paddle to move through the water. While somewhat like surfing and kayaking, paddleboarding is much easier to learn, and you can use the board for other activities such as touring, fishing, yoga, and even racing.
The open deck of a canoe means that many first-time paddlers feel more at ease in a canoe than a kayak, but both have their advantages and challenges. Kayaks are easier to maneuver and can travel faster, while canoes are more stable and have more room to carry camping gear. You can transport these craft on a rooftop car rack or in a larger vehicle to explore distant waterways.
You can borrow or rent paddlecraft at some state parks and lake facilities, and many rental places give basic instruction to get you started. Take the family out for a trial run and see if you enjoy it. You might become a paddlesports family. –Priscilla Travis of Annapolis Sail & Power Squadron
Paddle Smart
Whether paddling on a calm lake or taking a rip-roaring adventure on white-water rapids, this America’s Boating Club seminar is the place to start.
It gives tips for getting started, such as taking a class or renting a paddle craft. Some important points are that paddlesports are a great way to spend time with family and that they are relatively easy to learn.