Paddler: 6 year old male- 42″ 45 lbs
Experience level: beginner, semi-swimmer, with several paddling trips and one overnight under his belt. He has been in kayaks since 18 months, first solo paddle at age 5 (a month before 6th birthday), has paddled solo 2X since.

Boat: Wilderness Systems Tsunami SP
Length/ Width: 12′/ 21″
Max Weight Capacity: 180lbs
Other Features: Movable foot pegs, bow and stern bulkheaded hatches, adjustable thigh braces
Pros: Simple but comfortable outfitting, bulkheaded hatches, tracks well, deck lines
Cons: heavy and awkward for a kid to move on their own

Wildy Tsunami SP (small person)

At the store I often get asked, “How old does a child need to be to start paddling?” My initial reaction is as soon as they can sit up on their own. However, there are many factors that weigh into this decision. First never take a child strapped into a car seat in a boat. No, there are no seat belts you do not want your child strapped or attached to the boat. You and your child need to be able to get free should the boat capsize. Children under the age of 13 are required by federal law to wear a PFD or lifejacket in any boat. If you are afraid of capsizing with your youngster and don’t know how you or your child would react then you may want to wait until you are more confident in your own skills. This is kayaking and while you may not want, and don’t plan on capsizing. It’s a very real possibility and almost inevitable at some point in time during your paddling career. However, if you love paddling, chances are your enthusiasm will get your kids exited too.
If paddling is part of your lifestyle, than your boats should be introduced to your child at a very early age. My youngest son, has been climbing in and out of boats at home before he could even walk, at approx 18 months, my wife and I took him on his first paddling trip in the floor of a tandem.

Age 2

He sat in my lap until he was too big and was tired of the repeated bonking he got from my paddle shaft as I maneuvered the marshes of the Outer Banks.
We then moved to a tandem, where he sat up front and drug his arms in the water as I paddled us around, or he sometimes would sit in the tankwell of a 14ft Tarpon.

Age 4

As his sixth birthday approached, it was time to start some early paddling lessons of his own, like his older brother who also started paddling at age 6 in Maine (but that’s a different story entirely). I was surprised that the Tsunami SP (TSP) fit him so well when he first sat in it. With the foot pegs all the way up he could sit up straight and firmly plant his feet on the pegs with his legs below the thigh braces…4 inches below (he still has quite a bit of growing room). He was a little nervous doing it on his own but he knew how the hold his breath and was not afraid of falling in or getting wet. I stayed close and gave him his first lesson on paddling strokes and techniques.

age 5

He seemed to be quite stable and comfortable in the boat, the paddle seemed awkward for him and certainly could have been shorter due to the narrowness of the boat. He picked it up quite quickly despite it being his first time paddling on his own power. The boat tracked well and seemed quick, he had a bit of trouble getting it to turn, but due to his early knowledge of the strokes this did not surprise me. It also confirmed that it tracked fairly well. After about 15 minutes we paddled enthusiastically back to shore. I did not want him to get tired or bored and I wanted to leave a lasting good impression of paddling on his mind. This was the end of the summer and by the next summer he would be ready!

paddling lesson

A trip to Bugs Island Lake the following May would be his next lesson in the TSP. With a few months of growing between paddling trips he fit in the boat a little better and was certainly more confident. We paddled twice that trip. Once as an instructional session of about 15 minutes, than after lunch took about a mile long paddle to explorer some coves and see a few birds. I towed him the majority of the time, but he paddled as if he was on his own over the better part of the trip. He had no problem resting and letting me do the work when he was tired, but as soon as he felt rested he was back at it again. It seemed very stable, and he had no problem getting it to go when and where he wanted.

age 6

Not to say that all parents should take their small children out paddling on their own, especially if they do not feel comfortable, but this is what I do, I teach paddlesports. I certainly used caution, I am not taking him out in conditions or cold water, I am aways with-in a paddle stroke way and he is aways, always wearing his PFD.
Making sure that kids wear a properly fitted PFD is extremely important, too big is no good and loose and unzipped is no good either (this topic is a different rant altogether).

Paddle Stroke Lesson

If you are eager to try paddling with your children, I would certainly encourage you to look into a class that you can take together or inquire about kids lessons at your local paddling shop. Also inquire about kids paddling classes at local lake municipalities. As it currently stands in Greensboro, NC kids under 12 must be in a tandem, ages 13-15 can paddle in a solo boat with an adult paddler with-in a paddles length away, and kids must be 16+ to paddle completely on their own. Kids classes should be relatively short in length and be geared toward safety which will develop into good habits on the water, this will help to keep your children’s interest up while having fun and being safe. Good paddling technique takes time and lots of practice, so don’t rush it. They will get better with practice and as they get stronger their endurance will improve, allowing them to paddle longer. If you get frustrated then so will your kids and they will not want to paddle. It is supposed to be fun, so make it fun, keep it short and bring a tow rope…

and Maybe I’ll see you and your kids on the water,

Will

Cape Lookout National Seashore on North Carolina’s southern coast is a unique spot to paddle. The Cape Lookout Lighthouse, a well known navigational landmark and sought after photographic landmark, is the backdrop to many photos taken in this area. The wild ponies, sea birds, and marine wildlife only add to the majesty of this paddlers paradise. Mile upon mile of open coastline alongside tidal marshes and creeks that line the Core and Back sounds of the lower Outer Banks allow for days of wonderfully picturesque paddling and camping.

Sunset on Cape Lookout

However this location is not ideal for the unexperienced and ill-prepared paddler. Strong winds, storms, tides, currents, and waves all of which can change the water conditions quickly and unexpectedly. Any combination of these conditions can turn a seemingly beautiful day on the water into a dire situation in a matter of minutes. Incorporate traffic filled boating channels and a scattered group inexperienced kayakers and you are looking at a recipe for disaster.

Too many of the boats that are paddled in these open waters are ill-equipped to handle any one of the above mentioned conditions. Most recreational kayaks are not suited for waves as their open cockpits eagerly await a large gulp of water that will quickly fill the boat and capsize. In addition to their large cockpits the lack of secondary stability of many rec boats does not give these kayaks the seaworthiness needed for the rough conditions that this windblown locale will often provide. The lack of flotation in these boats is their most serious flaw. The majority of recreational kayaks have at the very most, a rear hatch and bulkhead that only provide marginal flotation. Once the water starts entering the cockpit the entire front of the boat can quickly fill with water. It can be extremely difficult to recover from this situation during good conditions, add in a little wind and some tidal currents and the inexperienced paddler may need to call the Coast Guard.

On Patrol

Navigating the maze of marsh creek channels along with the shifting sand bars and surging inlets of the Outer Banks is a daunting task and should not be taken lightly. Many paddlers get disoriented by paddling in and out of the monotonous grass lined islands and creeks. Out going tides can quickly trap a paddler in an interior pond, or in a tidal flat causing them slog their boat through knee deep muck as they find deeper water. In open water changing tides can make paddlers frustrated and exhausted; and if in the wrong place at the wrong time can take you into the confused seas of an inlet or into the path of an oncoming motor boat.

Taking a bearing

Despite the need to know proper paddling skills, rescue & recovery techniques, have reliable equipment, and know how to navigate many folks ignore the warnings and get into trouble paddling these waters. By using an experienced, and qualified kayak guide you can greatly minimize your risks and insure an enjoyable adventure.

A qualified guide/ instructor will be able to assess your current skill level and teach you the paddling skills needed to safely make the crossing this trip commonly consists of. Your guide should also discuss with you the risks involved in venturing into this location. This includes environmental risks, physical risks, as well as the psychological risks in paddling with a group. This should be done prior to signing any paperwork. Before you commit to any coastal paddling trip you should know, understand, and appreciate all the risks involved. Individual safety is each paddlers own responsibility, it is the guides jobs to intervene in dangerous situations and make the decisions that their experience and judgment dictate are prudent. The guide facilitates an enjoyable experience for their clients, teaching skills when needed, sharing experiences, telling stories, jokes, keeping the group motivated, and often doing the cooking and cleaning as well. Myself like many guides will be first one up in the morning and the last one down at night. An experienced guide will plan routes and activities suitable to the groups experience and not let the group spread out too far, which can be detrimental when the conditions get less than ideal.

A quality guide service will also provide proper boats, paddles, and life jackets suitable for the experience of the group, the location of the trip, and the conditions the group will be paddling in. Touring boats (sea kayaks) as well as properly fitted and comfortable life jackets are essential to an enjoyable experience.
These boats provide the storage capacity needed to carry not only the paddlers personal gear but their share of group gear as well. More importantly they have inherent flotation with front and rear bulkheads and hatches. Touring kayaks generally have greater secondary stability allowing these boats to be paddled in rougher water with better reliability than many recreational kayaks. These boats are designed to have a tighter fit than their rec cousins, which actually gives you better boat control. Their longer length allows the boat to travel quickly in a relatively straight path with ease.

Many guides that regularly lead trips in these water know the ins and outs of the islands, marsh creeks, and sandbars that dot this coastal region. By using proper navigational skills which include using nautical charts, tidal charts, with a blend of local knowledge a good guide can get a group through the maze of grasses with relative ease. Also having and using a reliable weather radio, to keep tabs on the ever evolving weather patterns, wind speeds, marine forecasts and warnings. having this knowledge is also important in planning the day’s journey.

Local lakes and ponds as well as many slow moving rivers are great places to strengthen your paddling skills in preparation to head out to a coastal environment. If you lack the proper knowledge I would certainly recommend taking a class from a qualified instructor before venturing into waters of Cape Lookout. While using a guide service will minimize many of the risks it will also allow you to relax and enjoy the scenery and the experience. With all the logistical preparations and planning taken care of, having your meals prepared, your route planned, you have little to worry about. There are many great guides along the coast and interior portions of North Carolina that guide trips along the Cape Lookout National Seashore. Keep an eye on our calendar as we will be headed back to the Cape before too long, and we would love to show you around this magical area.