1) What are some good games to play on the
: water to teach kids boat handling skills?
Splash dad with the paddle - develops speed and balance.
: 2) What rules or limits have you set for your kids while they’re kayaking?
rule #1 - pfd always. - other rules and limits are dependant on paddling time and place. We often paddle at a small lake where there is a 10 hp limit. They can go anywhere within sight of the beach if they stick together.
On the Ohio river there is a greater risk from power boats so we stay much closer together, 10-20 ft on channel crosings and night time trips.
: 3) What distances have your kids been able to paddle (at different ages)?
One or two miles is a long way for ten and under. It helps to have a specific spot they can see and shoot for and snacks when they get there. My kids still see a kayak as a way to get somewhere to have fun rather than just enjoying the paddle. At 13 we have done 8 miles. A trip that is to short will be remembered more fondly than one that was to long, Err on the short side and allow plenty of stops for swimming, exploring, and throwing rocks.
: 4) Did they ever run out of gas enroute to a destination? (i.e., have you
: ever over-estimated how far they could go?) What did you do to help them?
My younger daughter is ususlly the first to run out of steam. I try to keep an eye on how she is doing and hook up a tow line before she gets to tired, that way she can keep paddling in assisted mode instead of pulling dead weight.
: 5) At what age should kids start using spray skirts?
depends on conditions and skills. We stay mostly on flat water where a skirt wouldn't help much. Heavy waves and spray requiring a skirt don't have the same appeal to a small child as they do for us
: 6) When did you introduce them to assisted-rescue techniques?
The 1st time they used the boats we had all the kids do wet exits, it is very important that they are comfortable with this. Then we worked on adult assisted T-rescue to drain and get them back in the boat. This needs to be done before any deep water trips and was easy to learn. Now the kids can T-rescue each other.
: 7) When did you introduce them to self-rescue techniques?
If the kids are small enough and the boat stable enough they can re-enter un-assisted.
: 
When is a kid ready to get a taste of river kayaking?
As soon as they can steer well then class 1 and 2 rivers can be alot of fun.
: 9) When is a kid ready to get a taste of small surf?
: 10) When is a kid ready to learn to roll?
: 11) How many readers on this BBS have taught kids to kayak and how many hope
: to do so in the future?
I taught 4 of my own and helped with 2 neighbor girls. Sometimes it helps to have another adult do the teaching - depends on the kid.
: 12) What resources (books, videos, courses, etc.) are available for teaching
: kids to sea kayak?
: I’m sure there are many, many more good questions that could be discussed, so
: feel free to offer your own questions and/or answers. Thanks, John
I don't take my daughters along all the time since I prefer long sightseeing trips and they like short play trips - (that continues to change over the years) All kids progress at different rates and will usually let you know how much they can handle. The nice thing is they can have alot of fun with very little skill, then improve technique as they grow.
