How to Introduce My 5-Year Old Son to Kayaking

My son is 5 and has been kayaking with his dad for a little over a year. They LOVE it. They have a double fishing kayak with a spot that's perfect for him. It faces his dad, so it makes fishing and such easier. They went to a local kayak demonstration and got to try out different kayaks to see if the one they were eying would work well for them in the water, but you can also rent them. I have also seen kids sitting in their parent's laps. My son uses the emergency paddle, it's the kind that the handle slide up and down to close. They can make it a height that is appropriate for him, so it works well. They started with very short trips and just stayed out a bit longer each time. Now it is not unusual for them to leave for an entire day. I would not suggest starting on a kid kayak. He needs to learn how to handle a kayak more before he is on his own. Not just maneuvering one. How to behave around other boats and swimmers, what to do when he encounters a snake or other critter. How to pee off one :). Even with you right there, he needs to know these things. He needs to learn about water safety and in my opinion, he needs to be able to swim without a life jacket before being on a boat alone (even though I know you'd be with him the whole time on the water). Next summer, we will allow my son to get a kid kayak - he can swim, he understands boating safety for the most part and he has many hours logged in the kayak. He and Daddy are ready for him to get his own now, but mama needs more time to adjust to the idea :).Have fun!!

The first time I took my 4 year old kayaking, we rented a double kayak and he rode with his dad. After about 20 minutes, we did let him have an oar and showed him how to do it. He rowed a little (didn't really go anywhere, but he did figure out the motion which was great). His dad was behind him to make sure the boat moved (lol). It went just fine, no problems. We just sprayed some bug spray (just in case), put on his sunblock, cap, and life jacket, and that was it. Had a backpack with a bottle of water. He enjoyed checking out the pelicans, cranes, dolphins, etc. We had a crab in the kayak so we went out for crabs afterwards for lunch. He really enjoyed it. But don't get too high hopes on anything. He was more excited about the stick in the water, and how it'd make a great light saber, than he was at 3 dolphins that decided to swim alongside us, arm's length away. (Incidentally, we love to kayak, but when taking him, we do rent a double)

id look into getting a double one for him to ride in with your or dad for a couple years until his arms are strong enough to paddle and actually move the boat, and if he has younger cousins or siblings they can use it when they get to that age to enjoy it, but i wouldnt get him his own until you and him BOTH know he enjoys it and is able to go on his own

We have the kids kayak and my 2 older boys love them. The back has almost a deck like shape to it so it is easy for them to climb back in. There is no seat back so its not meant for really long trips. My youngest found kneeling was the easier for him to paddle on his own. I tethered my youngest to mine last year until I knew he could do it on his own. It didn't interfere with his paddling at all.

We've had both our boys in kayaks (4yrs & almost 5mo)! My brother in law and his wife own a kayak shop :) Our older son has gone on a paddle trip with us, obviously the baby has not but we did take him out on the water to try a boat. Is the cockpit in one of your kayaks large? That's what I've used when paddling with my 4yr old (he is tiny though). We also bring a few small toys and snacks/drink for him. I wouldn't get him his own kayak for a few more years. My neice (brother in laws daughter) started paddling early too. They used a double with her I think just in the past few years and now at almost 8 she can paddle a very short time alone, but is usually in a double with my sister in law. Good luck!

Just be careful. I had no experience with it and flipped it in the Colorado river with my son on board. It was MUCH rougher than I thought. By the grace of God, he was in a place where he got out of danger but I was beat to .... by the rocks. Just be careful!

RENT a child size kayak before you buy. Your best bet is to start him off solo. If he gets comfortable in YOUR boat, you'll never get him out (trust me!) Have you kayaked? If you have, great, you know what to tell him. If not, BE CONFIDENT. Kid's smell fear and reciprocate. Are you going to be in a lake? River? Ocean? Lake's the obvious easiest for beginners. We own a small private boat club and 80% of the members are kayakers, send me a PM if you have any specific questions :)