grabvast.blogg.se - Kids kayak

#KIDS KAYAK UPGRADE#

Low angle, small-sized blade is built for amazing propulsion. Mid-sized, low-angle blade is versatile for many paddlers and likely can be shared by your whole family. The "value" paddle of the higher-end paddles.

#KIDS KAYAK UPGRADE#

Look at these paddles when you are ready to upgrade for your tween/teen: When your child can paddle a few miles, you may want to think about investing in a lighter, higher-end paddle so that they have a more efficient stroke and don't get tired on long kayak trips. Once they are paddling long distances a lighter high quality paddle is then worth it's price tag for the comfort and efficiency it brings to your outing (see high-end paddles for kids listed at the bottom of this page).

Once your child can paddle a few miles you may then want to consider buying a higher-quality lighter paddle to enrich the experience.

The worst mistake we can make is waiting too long or not beginning at all because we are so caught up in the details.Īfter you own your first paddle and see them use it for a while in the width of the kayak you choose, you will have a better idea of what size of a paddle you will want in the future as they grow. They want to have fun with you and their friends, so keep it simple in the beginning and get going. Like I have said before about kayaks, young kids don't care how much their paddle costs or if it is made of plastic and aluminum or if it's a $319 carbon fiber paddle, especially if they are under the age of 10 and are not kayaking further than a mile. Purchase a paddle you can afford and get them started. When your kid hits a height and kayak size they are going to be in for some time you may consider a paddle in the $50 to $100 range, and if they become a serious paddler in the future they can buy their own $200+ paddle (at least mine can) or maybe a luxury paddle would be a great Christmas or graduation gift for the teen who becomes an avid paddler.ĭon't over-think it too much. High-quality paddles are expensive ($200 and up), but to get started in kayaking, and especially with kids, you don't need a luxury paddle, you need an affordable paddle and to get started.įor $25 to $50 you can get a paddle that will work just fine for a child starting out and probably have a couple of year warranty.

Wood is another material you may see, which makes a durable rigid paddle, but is much heavier than the other materials.

Nylon/Carbon Fiber Blades with a carbon shaft are premium paddles built for comfort, power and efficiency.

Lighter and more rigid than plastic gives more power to your stroke.

Fiberglass blades with a fiberglass shafts are middle grade material.

Plastic or plastic blends with an aluminum shaft are the most affordable entry-level paddle materials.

Many women with small hands also like child-sized paddles for this reason. Shaft (or handle) needs to be smaller in diameter than an adult paddle so little hands can hold it easily. If paddling is too hard, it won't be fun. Otherwise, the child is being asked to work harder than most adults! A sized-down paddle blade lightens the load by reducing the amount of water being moved by the paddler. You want the blade to be smaller than the one on an adult paddle, which will make it easier to use.

Paddlers 6 feet tall and over will want a paddle that is 240 cm or longerįor kayaking with children, and especially for beginners, you want a paddle that has a long narrow blade instead of a short wide blade.

Youth between 5.5 and 6 feet tall will want to look in the 220/230 cm range, depending on the width of their kayak (28" or less/greater than 28" wide).

A child who is 5 feet tall should start with 210/220 cm paddle for a small narrow kayak (max 28" wide).

Children who are under 5 feet will need a paddle that is approximately 190 to 210 cm.

Children age 4 and up can use a 182 cm paddle on a child-sized kayak.

Tiny kids age 3 to 4 can start with a 152 cm paddle which is like a toy/practice paddle.

Here is a guide for kid paddles listed in inches for common kid paddle lengths: Most kayak paddles are listed in centimeters but some are listed in inches.