Starting off early with an activity or a skill is usually the best way to become good at something. When children are introduced to activities at a young age, they grow up while doing them and are, on average, much better at them later in life.
Of course, it is the parents that decide what their little ones do while still young but certain children are naturally drawn to stuff. Their talent shows, they ask about it, or they try it out and like it so much that they are instantly hooked.
More children are drawn to outdoor sports than before, particularly water sports, so kayaking is on the rise. But is there an age limit to certain things and should you be of a specific age to do them?
What is the age limit for kayaking and is there a rule that claims that a kayaker but be older than they are to do it? That is what we talk about in this article.
If you have children who are interested in kayaking if you want to take them with you or get them into a summer camp where there are kayaks, make sure to read until the end.
Is There an Age Limit?
In short, there is no age limit that prevents people from paddling in a kayak, but certain guidelines and recommendations do exist. Children and seniors are frequent kayakers meaning there are no official age limits enforced by governing bodies.
As a matter of fact, with adult supervision and especially together with their parents, children as young as 3 or 4 years old can be placed in kayaks.
Moreover, preschool and early primary school children between the ages of 6 and 8 are typically allowed to kayak on their own, in children’s kayaks, where they learn the basics and get to meet the sport.
There are Still Rules
The fact that there is no official rule or law does not however mean that anyone can kayak regardless of their age. Children are not as responsible and capable as adults and they do not realize the dangers.
There have to always be parents, guardians, and/or instructors close by to monitor what is going on in the water, to educate and advise the kids as they paddle. Safety is of the utmost importance too and every child needs a helmet and a life jacket before they go into a kayak.
On top of it all, everyone who wants to go kayaking must be comfortable in the water. Physique, personality, and swimming skills usually play a big part in this. Unless the children can handle themselves in the water, the should not be kayaking yet.
Should You Kayak at a Young Age?
The fact that children can kayak does not mean that they should. So should young children be introduced to this activity while still young? If possible, absolutely because it has a lot of benefits for a young body and mind.
First of all, it teaches discipline and responsibility.
Then, it improves coordination and motor functions, and it is a good workout. What is more, the attention span of the child will greatly improve because there is a lot to focus on as well as a lot to take in at once.
Starting with kayaking at a young age also gives the child a good chance to be very good at the sport, a sport that is quite underrated both in terms of an athletic career and in terms of health and body physique.
Things Worth Considering
The age of a person is not always the best judge of how good they would be at a certain activity, nor if they are actually ready for it. Some children mature earlier, others later, and not all of them are equally handy and capable at things.
All of this comes to light when they start discovering the world but the parents should be aware of what comes naturally or easily to their children and what does not.
Instead of age, it makes much more sense to question other things to evaluate if your kid is ready for kayaking.
For example, physical strength and size are very important in kayaking for kids. The reason is quite obvious, smaller children are not yet capable of comfortable and optimal paddling.
Upper body strength is needed so weaker and smaller children are not able to do it well enough to enjoy the experience.
Mental maturity is arguably the most critical thing to think about. Is your child capable of following instructions and listening to directions?
To the typically listen to you, the teachers, and the coaches? Kayaking is potentially dangerous and a lot can go wrong it the child is too immature.
Understanding and then following the rules is very important and not every child is ready for it at the same age. This is why age is not always the best deciding factor.
We mentioned attention span already, but we need to dive deeper. Unless the child can stay focused for the entire duration of a kayaking trip and have their mind not wandering, they are not for kayaking yet. Distractions will be many, from other kayakers to the surrounding nature.
Kids with short attention spans are definitely not ready to take up kayaking as a hobby or a sport.
Last but certainly not least, there is swimming as a survival skill and a way to have fun.
Nobody should ever enter a kayak unless they know how to swim without problems. If your child is not a confident swimmer, work on that before they ever step foot into a kayak.
All children who kayak must know how to swim. If you are looking for rules, that would be the best one, not the age requirement.
Government Advice and Guidelines
For those among you who feel the safest when there are rules and rules of thumb in place, this may be all you require to decide whether or not to take your children kayaking.
General rules advise that children under the age of 5 should never kayak without adult supervision.
Children under the age of 10 should only kayak on their own in calm waters. Everyone under the age of 18 should always wear a life jacket.
Meet Maria Alexander, the fearless adventurer steering the ship at KayakPaddling.net. Her mission? To convince you that life’s too short for dry land and that the best stories always start with “So there I was in my kayak…”
