Kayaking w/ kids - age minimum?
Aug 3rd, 2004, 08:22 AM
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Kayaking w/ kids - age minimum?
I have an almost 1 year old and a 3 year old. I was just fantasizing of another vacation in Hawaii, and was wondering if I could bring the kids on a kayak? Do you know if there is an age or weight minimum?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Aug 3rd, 2004, 09:35 AM
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I am assuming that this is a kayak that you rent to paddle around by yourself. The kayaks for rent here are the sit on top type - there are 2 man and 1 man kayaks.
Unless you have much prior experience paddling these type of kayaks - I would not recommend putting both your children on them with you at the same time - actually, I would not recommend you bringing the 1 year old at all.
When my child was 1 year old, the last thing she would do was sit quietly in one place for any length of time. If you have her in a kayak, the only place to put her is in the middle. If he/she decides to move - I doubt you would be able to reach your child in time to prevent them from going over the edge - or without tipping the kayak over yourself.
I have seen parents in a 2 man kayak with a small child (maybe age 3 or 4) sitting in the middle of the kayak. That works if the child can swim or is wearing some type of flotation type vest - one parent can stabilize the kayak while the other gets on. Once you are on the kayak, it's pretty stable, the getting on part is tricky.
However, having 2 children on at the same time - one of them being too small to swim - that's not very safe.
Remember that you will have to deal with the surf coming into the beach - while it may not be big, it's a steady back and forth and getting onto the kayak without tipping it might be challenging.
Unless you have much prior experience paddling these type of kayaks - I would not recommend putting both your children on them with you at the same time - actually, I would not recommend you bringing the 1 year old at all.
When my child was 1 year old, the last thing she would do was sit quietly in one place for any length of time. If you have her in a kayak, the only place to put her is in the middle. If he/she decides to move - I doubt you would be able to reach your child in time to prevent them from going over the edge - or without tipping the kayak over yourself.
I have seen parents in a 2 man kayak with a small child (maybe age 3 or 4) sitting in the middle of the kayak. That works if the child can swim or is wearing some type of flotation type vest - one parent can stabilize the kayak while the other gets on. Once you are on the kayak, it's pretty stable, the getting on part is tricky.
However, having 2 children on at the same time - one of them being too small to swim - that's not very safe.
Remember that you will have to deal with the surf coming into the beach - while it may not be big, it's a steady back and forth and getting onto the kayak without tipping it might be challenging.
Aug 3rd, 2004, 10:03 AM
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Thank for your responses.
Yes, I was referring to the kind you rent and paddle yourself. We did that in Kauai several years ago.
We probably won't go for a while (husband just got laid off), and you are right - it probably wouldn't be a good idea to bring the 1-2 year old on the kayak with us.
Thanks again!
Yes, I was referring to the kind you rent and paddle yourself. We did that in Kauai several years ago.
We probably won't go for a while (husband just got laid off), and you are right - it probably wouldn't be a good idea to bring the 1-2 year old on the kayak with us.
Thanks again!
Aug 3rd, 2004, 10:27 AM
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I would worry about flipping the kayak over. If it flips in the middle of the ocean, you have to contend with very small children suddenly in the water, and with having to get them back into the kayak. And getting back in can cause it to flip if you have trouble hauling your butt back in (as I do, despite knowing the proper technique; it does take some upper body strength which my skinny girl arms are lacking), so do you put the kid back in first or do you get in first? I guess if you have another adult with you it might be easier to coordinate. I just think it would be pretty traumatic for a kid to be flipped out of a kayak. That would be my biggest worry.
We kayaked La Perouse Bay on Maui last July and did the 16 mile Na Pali paddle on Kauai last month. Certainly Na Pali is out of the question, but even on Maui's calmer summer waters the wind can pick up and cause waves to pick you up and slap you back down, which can be a little scary for a small child.
You do need to concentrate on what's going on around you when you're kayaking, even with a guide, and I would worry about having the distractions of a 1 and 3 year old. If you are paddling with a group you risk falling behind or missing direction if you have to tend to crying or scared little kids. And I seriously doubt a company would take children THAT small anyway. I don't know, it just sounds like more trouble than it's worth.
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roxy
We kayaked La Perouse Bay on Maui last July and did the 16 mile Na Pali paddle on Kauai last month. Certainly Na Pali is out of the question, but even on Maui's calmer summer waters the wind can pick up and cause waves to pick you up and slap you back down, which can be a little scary for a small child.
You do need to concentrate on what's going on around you when you're kayaking, even with a guide, and I would worry about having the distractions of a 1 and 3 year old. If you are paddling with a group you risk falling behind or missing direction if you have to tend to crying or scared little kids. And I seriously doubt a company would take children THAT small anyway. I don't know, it just sounds like more trouble than it's worth.
love
roxy
