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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
Re: Teaching Kids to Kayak
Posted By: Karl In Response To: Teaching Kids to Kayak (John Montgomery)
Date: Tuesday, 18 January 2005, at 11:59 p.m.
Yow, I could write you a book...
The first question I can answer is, I have taught a lot of kids, sea, flat water, ww, and sprint race.
I once taught a class of 30 deaf kids- I finally asked the interpreter to go away, the kids were teaching me just fine (I have forgotten how to say "you butthead" in ASL).
Anyway, one key thing is to get them in the water, and goof of with the boats. Wet entries are great ( boat upside down, they have to get in holding breath, tap the boat when they get in, you roll them up), washing machine, snickers bars (mini ones) for breaking their own record holding breath before wet exiting, jumping up on one end of an upturned boat and seeing how far they can run on the hull before they fall in... lots more, you get the idea? Adults often come with a big barrier to learning because they think tipping over, or being in the water, is failure.
I have taught 10 year olds to roll, it is partly getting a decent fit but also preparing them as mentioned above (one of my favorites- a 10 yr old, sitting in an eddy, asking, "can I try my roll, and if I can't is it ok if I wet exit?" well...sure). And I have had kids roll boats that were way too big for them...Another idea? Fat boats are comforting to parents, deadly dull to kids. Put 'em in a narrow boat (even by our standards), they will do well, and learn quickly. Good to have them paddle with their hands only.
If the boat is very manuverable, have them make their own slalom course (I use tennis balls), then try again only paddling on one side (if it is a TAP, have them use only one part of the "split", like a canoe paddle).
And take them shorter distances with lots of interest- eddies, waves, teensie shore break. Remember most are used to video games, and paddling long distance, even if capable, is dull. Fun is playing with the boat, if the conditions are not there (best), then improvise. More tennis balls; sitting on the back part of the coaming and see how far one can paddle before falling in, standing up in the boat and trying to paddle...see how this can lead to skills such as a cowboy self rescue? Even towing!
Most important, you should also try all this. It will improve your own skills, humble you, and wish you had started paddling much younger.
karl
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