How to Safely Paddle Board with a Child

If paddle boarding is your passion, you may be looking forward to the day when your kids are old enough to join you out on the water. Activity holidays for families are so much more fun when everyone can participate, and paddle boarding is no different!

The good news is, once your children are at least two years of age, you will be able to take them out with you on your board! But first, here are some tips before you go.

Equipment & Safety

Before taking your kids out onto your paddleboard, make sure your board is the right size for the weight of you and your little ones combined. Otherwise, it’s going to be challenging to balance, turn and steer efficiently. We recommend you take one or two kids between the ages of two and six out on the paddleboat with you, with older children on their own child’s paddleboard.

Because the paddle boarding and surfing culture are closely related, life jackets are not always worn by paddlers. However, we always encourage life jackets to be worn during activity holidays for families who plan on spending time in the water. It is imperative your kids wear lifejackets, even if they are strong swimmers and even if you choose to forgo wearing one yourself. If the paddleboard were to flip over (and it probably will at some point), your young ones will end up in the water, and possibly unexpectedly. Life jackets will help them to stabilise themselves in the water quickly.

Starting Out

To start, choose an area in the water that is calm, free of waves and wind, and away from other water activities. It is best to seat your kids on the board in very shallow water and get them comfortable before moving out deeper. Place them in front of the middle point of the board, and let them get used to the tippy feeling in the water by encouraging them to move from a seating position to kneeling, and then back to seating.

Then it’s your turn to climb onto the back of the board in a kneeling position to start, until you and your young ones get balanced and are feeling comfortable, before standing and paddling out into deeper water.

Extras

Add to the fun of a day paddle boarding by bringing along a few sand toys for your little ones to play with while on the board, to keep them from getting restless or bored. Snacks are always a must for any activity holidays for families, so don’t forget to pack some nutritious food to curb hunger, as well as water. Of course, be sure to bring all empty containers and wrappers back on land so as to keep the water free of garbage.

You really don’t have to wait for your kids to grow up before enjoying a day of paddle boarding with them! They will love being out with you on your board and will look forward to the day when they too can paddle on their own beside you.

Richard Edwards is the Managing Director of Summit & Blue, an adventure holiday company offering independently crafted activity holidays for families to exciting destinations around the world, including France, Italy, Portugal, the USA and Canada. With unique itineraries and exciting activities like biking, hiking, white water rafting and canoeing, we create holidays for those looking for an experience a little more off the beaten track.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.