Creating Future Paddlers in our Home Community

In the paddling industry we often talk about how do we get more people out on the water and into paddling.  How do we move the proverbial needle so that folks like you and I, have jobs 10 years from now?  It's the million dollar question really but I have a suggestion...get out on the water paddling with people that do not paddle.

A few weeks ago on our home lake we shared our love of paddling with 20+ friends and their families.  We had 9 kids in total ranging from the age of 17 months to 9 years old.

Seth, dad John and Elia

Introducing people to paddling and more specifically introducing kids to paddling is one of my favourite things to do on the water.  We loaded up our trailer with sea kayaks, recreational kayaks, paddle boards and canoes so everyone could get a taste of all the different "genres" of paddling.  Here are a few photos from our day.

Seth, Michelle and Leanne

Seth - he was a natural and hopefully we got him hooked at the age of 9!!

The kids were the stars of the day and I am sorry we don't have more photos to share.  (Thanks Leanne for sharing yours).  It all starts with the kids, if they enjoy it chances are Mom and Dad will be into it too.

This coming weekend its more time on the water, our almost annual Fraser River Trip.  This is an adults-only trip but in the past we have had kids along for this family friend float.  Canoe-tripping virgins are alive and well on this trip and we can't wait to share the photos!  The forecast is a mixed bag but thankfully we have the gear to keep us warm and dry - THANKS Kokatat Watersports Wear!

Stand Up Paddling and Kids

Jackson SUPerNatural - 3 Crabs on Board!

       I knew the moment I fell in love with stand up paddle boarding that our family would fall in love with it too.  My partner's son, Bentley is always keen to join me on whatever kind of stand up paddle board adventure I'm on.  You can do so much with a SUP board these days everything from racing, touring and fishing to whitewater and surf.  All of which you can also do with a child of almost any age.  Kids as young as 4 are learning how to stand up paddle!


       Bentley is 11 years old and has been around water all his life.  Depending on what kind of SUPing we are doing he is sometimes on his own and other times he is taking a ride on the board with me.  He is always brave when we tackle whitewater on the front of the board and tough's it out on windy flat water days.




 
                         
        The Jackson SUPerNatural is a perfect platform for crab fishing with a child on board.  It has plenty of flat space for trap storage and an extra passenger and is remarkably stable.  Bentley enjoyed dropping the crab trap himself and enjoyed it even more pulling it back up to discover a good selection of crabs.  He even helped to measure them and ensure they were males of appropriate size.

       Bentley has also been for a couple rides on the front of the Jackson SUPerCharger down sections of the Chilliwack River.  Despite his constant wiggling we manage to stay on the board...mostly.  He enjoys it and seems to never want it to end.

Bentley and I all geared up for the river!

      I soon hope Bentley will be able to do more Stand up paddling on his own.  There are more and more board and paddle options becoming available specifically for kids.  It is a market that has some room to grow...maybe the new JK SUPerKid?!  I do believe that just like we need gear that works best for us, they need gear that works best for them in order to learn and grow.

Bentley after falling off!