143 on the board to encourage being comfortable falling in and , crucially , being comfortable getting back on the board with a buoyancy aid on .
• We repeatedly check tides and wind forecasts if we plan a weekend away in the van on a beach . We ’ ve also taught them what rip tides look like . They ’ d never paddle without us - they ’ re too young - but the more we reinforce it from a young age , the more likely they will remember it when they start paddling and swimming without us .
• In the summer , the kids still wear a wetsuit because of the games we play in the water , which means they spend as much time in it as on it . There ’ s no point in having fun if they ’ re going to get cold quickly . The kids also have cags , dry suit trousers , winter boots , and gloves as year-round paddlers . This makes such a difference that we can get out on the lake for those winter sunrises when there ’ s hardly anyone else around .
I hope this piece has given you some ideas or considerations when heading out on the water with young children . Remember to have fun and stay safe .