Stay Safe
You should always promote and follow proper safety precautions when paddleboarding with kids. There’s a high probability that someone in the group will fall into the water at some point, so instil good habits by making sure that your children are wearing a correctly fitting SUP buoyancy aid. Remind them to communicate with you if they don’t feel comfortable at any point during your trip on the water and talk to them about the importance of only paddling when the conditions are available. Remember sun cream and some water to stay hydrated, and then concentrate on having a good time!
Be Patient And Encouraging
Kids tend to get frustrated a little more quickly than us adults, so remember to be patient if they don’t pick it up straight away or their progress isn’t linear. A little encouragement goes a long way if your children are struggling to maintain their balance, so stay calm and remember to praise them so that they feel good about themselves.
Plan The Right Route
Take the time to plan a route somewhere where it will be safe and gentle for kids to paddle. Avoid the ocean to start with until kids are comfortable balancing and can deal with waves and opt for somewhere flatter like a lake where they can get familiar with their board in flat conditions. Rivers can seem like a gentle place to go but do factor in the current. Go upstream on the way out and downstream on your way back and don’t forget to check what the wind will be like.
Play Some Games
Finally, don’t forget to make your paddleboarding adventure fun for kids! Games are a great way to keep the attention of your children once they have developed basic paddling techniques. You could have a race, play catch, and even try and run across your boards without falling in. If you let kids be creative and come up with their own ideas for play, they’re bound to have a great time.