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Let ’ s talk leashes ! First , young kids should never be leashed to the board or anything else ; I see many images of children leashed to boards . Ask yourself if your child falls in , can they remove a leash ? I take both girls paddling ; my eldest is nearly five and has never been leashed . My youngest , who has just turned 12 months , sits on the board between my knees . If you kneel , you have plenty of support to hold them in position and allow you to paddle .
If your child does fall in because you selected the correct PFD , they will be safe enough for you to rescue them and bring them back onto the board calmly . A leash should only be used when your child is old enough to understand and can show you they can safely jump in , get back onto the board and safely release a leash system ( very unlikely until older ).
Keeping it short and sweet Remember that although you love a mammoth session on the water , your children will tire and get bored quickly , so to avoid putting them off early , consider short and sweet sessions . Take plenty of snacks .
Entertainment I mentioned a kid ’ s paddle is an excellent addition for your kids . Giving kids something to hold will keep them entertained on the front of your board . Kids will love a variety of activities . We ’ ve taken fishing nets , litter pickers , water pistols , Barbie mermaids , and floating toys that are great to throw and fetch . You can play many games to warm up on and off the water to keep it fun .
Safety I wanted to write this without a section on safety , as it is mentioned throughout , so I ’ ll keep this short and more about where you paddle . If you doubt your ability or how your child will respond , look for a lifeguarded lake and avoid the sea , rivers and anywhere where there is a significant risk . Put your kids in the right gear , and remember it is their session , not yours ! Do not leash your child to anything ; always put them in a fit-for-purpose PFD ( a swimming vest is not fit for purpose ).
Post paddle Kids get cold quickly , and you need to quickly get them off the water and into warm clothes . Avoid faffing with deflating boards and sorting kits , and prioritise your child first . Have a towel robe , dryrobe , and warm clothes ready so you can change them quickly . Then it ’ s your turn ! This will make them want to return .
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 .