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Chloe’s First Kayak Trip
The title is actually slightly misleading as we had an aborted first kayaking trip around this time last year. Chloe did NOT want to sit on Ashley’s knee. So another year on, and getting very restless waiting for our family-friendly open boat project to reach completion, we gave it another go.
This time was better. Chloe decided to wait until we were slightly offshore to let us know she didn’t want to sit on Ashley’s knee. However, this time, it was because she wanted to “splash in bath”.
Ash made a valiant attempt to distract her with the rudiments of paddling technique. Chloe decided she would have a go at a low brace (whilst giving Ash plenty of opportunity to practice them for real) before we decided we would quit while we were ahead.
This is how you do it Daddy
What age is old enough to learn the hard way? What happens when you lean too far out of a kayak?
Loving it
The 20 minutes or so we were out were heavenly, though, and we are very excited about the prospect of more (and hopefully, longer) family trips in the open boat.
Tips for taming a fearless toddler out on the waves would be greatly appreciated.
Post trip shopping list
- Hat that can be tied on to toddler’s head
- Shades for a tiny 2 year old
Anyone know where such things can be purchased?
Comments (9)
Hmmm, now let me think :)
LOL - what Michelle said! Our girls have the wraparound Kid Banz bought from LTs, the ones with the thick elastic strap. 2/3 of them love the sunglasses, the other girl doesn't, complaining that her eyelashes brush the glass They come in super-bright colours, too.
As far as tie-on hats go, I've given up searching for good ones, and just buy thick elastic strips to sew onto hats the girls will actually wear. Takes a millisecond to put on and off and widens the range of hats available. The sewing is a pain, yes, but it honestly only takes 10 mins a hat if you're as challenged with a needle and thread as I am (in fights, they usually beat me...)
I can also recommend the kids Banz and like you Jay I've taken to just sewing my own elastic on hats. Arlo has a giant head, always had had (thank goodness for c-sections!!) so hats that will fit him never come with ties!
I can recommend the Julbo Looping sunglasses. We got some for Orla when she was 10 months old and she's still wearing the same pair aged nearly three. I think they might be the Looping II. She wears them without the strap now but the strap was a necessity on the bike when she was younger!
Thanks for all the advice, everyone. We're just back from a week at the caravan so next on the list after sorting the washing (boring) will be a virtual shopping excursion on LT (much more exciting!). After that, I REALLY need to learn how to sew, but I might have a nice soak in the bath instead (the water pressure in our 15 year old caravan is woeful!)
Great pictures and what an experience for a little one! I've got my day sea kayaking in scotland planned for August and am very excited to be getting back on the water!
Love it! i can't wait to get James out in a kayak, we're only been brave enough to go out in the canoe so far. I take it you didn't have any trouble with Chloe fitting in the cockpit?
Oh lovely, Sarah. Whereabouts are you going? We had a mega day out of Portree on Skye a few years ago - I love the West Coast.
Hi Helena.
A canoe is def the way to go with wee ones- we had our maiden open boat voyage last weekend (blog pending!) and Chloe much preferred being able to hang over the edge to "splash in bath". Thankfully I was in the front and couldn't see! Chloe was a bit squished in Ashley's cockpit (it's an ocean cockpit) and was getting a bit fed up. I plan to try her some day in my sea boat as I have a bigger cockpit, but then it'll be open to the waves so it really only is for pottering about looking for crabs, etc. James looks really happy in the canoe - it's such a lovely thing to do together although, just imagine what'll be like when they're big enough to be wanting their own boat!