Kids Paddle Boarding Guide: How To Paddle Board With Kids On The Board?

Over the years, paddleboarding has become increasingly popular for several reasons. First, it is an excellent form of exercise. Not only does paddleboarding strengthen your abs, legs, shoulders, and back muscles, it also strengthens your core muscles. Paddleboarding is meant for people of all ages and all fitness levels. It is also something that you can do on your own or with a group. Finally, it is the perfect chance to get some fresh air, go out on the water, and enjoy nature.

If you love paddleboarding, there is a good chance that your children would love it also. Even if you have a young child, there is no reason why you cannot take them with you. There are a few tips that you should follow, and your child will be safe on the paddleboard, and they will have the time of their life.

Tip 1: Make Sure That You Are a Competent Paddleboarder

Before bringing your child out on the water with you, it is crucial that you have the necessary skill and experience. If you struggle to stand up when you are alone on the paddleboard, it will be even more difficult when you add an additional 40 or 50 pounds. If you have trouble balancing on your own, you will have even more trouble balancing when your child in on the board. You should wait to take your kids out on the water until you are a pro yourself.

Tip 2: Choose the Right Paddleboard

Paddleboards are rated for the paddler’s weight. If you are too light for your paddleboard, you will have trouble turning and steering. If you’re too heavy for your board, it can result in balance issues. The paddleboard that you typically use might not work for you and your child together due to your child’s extra weight. You are going to need the best board that is appropriate for the combined weight of you and your child.

#3 Choose a Safe Place to Paddleboard

It is essential that you choose a place that is safe for your child. Areas, where there are waves and currents, aren’t going to be safe. Your child isn’t going to have the balance that you do, and a wave can knock them right off the paddleboard. The best places to paddleboard with your child are small lakes, calm beaches, and protected bays. You should also try to find areas that aren’t crowded. If there are swimmers and other paddleboarders in the water, your child could get knocked off.

#4 Don’t Take Your Child Out Until They Can Swim

Until your child is able to swim, you shouldn’t take them paddleboarding. If your child is wearing a life preserver, it can fail to put them in an upright position, or it can become loose in the water. If your child can’t swim, they aren’t ready to go out with you.

#5 Make Your Child Wear a Life Preserver

You shouldn’t allow your child to go paddleboarding unless they are wearing a life preserver. Even if your child is a strong swimmer, accidents can happen. If your child falls and hits their head on the board, they may not be able to swim on their own. The same is true if you accidentally hit your child on the head. If your child falls off the board and gets stuck underneath for a moment, their life preserver can save their life. Even if you are going to be paddleboarding in shallow water, they still need to wear a life preserver. It is essential that you make sure that your child’s life preserver fits correctly. If it is too tight, they will have a hard time breathing. If the life preserver is too loose, your child can float right out of it when they are in the water. The best way to ensure their safety is to make sure that the life preserver is a perfect fit.

#6 Put Your Child On the Paddleboard First

It isn’t easy to bring your child onto your paddleboard when you are already on it. Instead, put your child on the paddleboard first in a seated position. This will give your child a chance to get the feeling of the water under the board. You can also use this time to allow them to practice going from a sitting position to a kneeling position. When your child has a chance to feel the balance of the board before you get on, they will have an easier time when you get on the paddleboard.

#7 Start Paddling From the Kneeling Position

When your child is firmly seated, you should climb on the board from the back and move to the area where you will be standing. When you start paddling, you should do so from a kneeling position. This will ensure that you and your child are comfortable with the balance. It is going to take a bit of moving before you find the perfect balance point. When you are able to paddle and keep your balance, you can move to a standing position. When you are standing, move slowly until you are both steady on the board.

#8 Enjoy It

The most important rule to remember is that you need to enjoy yourself while paddleboarding with your child. You may have a few outings ahead of you, but eventually, they are going to want to use their own board. Once they have mastered the art of standing on the board, you are going to have to let them go out on their own. This is why you should enjoy sharing a board while you still can.

Paddleboarding with your child can be great for both of you. It is the perfect chance for you to spend some time together and bond. It will also help them find a hobby that will stick with them through adulthood. As long as you take the proper precautions and make a few allowances for your child’s inexperience, you both should have a great day on the water.