One of the questions I get asked the most is “How and when should I start paddling with my kids?” and it's a good question.

I took my own daughter down the whitewater section of the Ottawa River for the first time when she was 6 months old. We took a raft on that trip, and for many others until she was old enough to ride in the front of my Dynamic Duo. We switched between the tandem whitewater kayak and the raft for a number of years, and we always made sure it was something she wanted to do. We never pressured her into either option.

This year, she took her first week-long paddling course with Liquid Skills Kayak & SUP School, and she’s started asking to go out in her own kayak. Now, she’s able to paddle (and roll!) her own kayak, which as opened up a whole new world of paddling opportunities.

These are my tips on how to make paddling with your little ones safe and enjoyable for everyone so that they want to go paddling with you again in the future.If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the Paddle Tales episode where I paddle the Ottawa River’s Middle Channel with my daughter in separate kayaks for the first time below!

Check Out Paddle Tales

Paddle Tales follows World Champion kayaker, Ken Whiting, around North America as he explores the continent by sea kayak, whitewater kayak, canoe, and stand up paddleboard, while telling the stories of the unique people and places that he encounters.

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The post How to Get Your Kids Into Paddling appeared first on Hazeadventure.

For many, rolling a kayak is like the “Holy Grail” of kayaking, especially for whitewater and sea kayakers.

In this post, we’re not talking about how to roll a kayak. Instead, we’re discussing the pros and cons to learning the roll.

Sometimes, learning the roll can actually be a barrier to paddling. It stops people from getting into both whitewater kayaking and sea kayaking. And some people put more emphasis on it's need. Do you need a kayak roll in order to be able to be a whitewater kayaker, a sea kayaker?

The short answer is no, you don't need to learn how to roll a kayak.

If that idea just turns you off, you don't need to learn to roll a kayak to enjoy whitewater kayaking or sea kayaking. You do have to appreciate though that it's going to limit the type of experiences you're going to have. Not having a roll will prevent you from pushing your skills and being in more exposed situations, as the kayak roll is by far the single best self rescue technique a whitewater paddler or sea kayaker can have.

If you don’t have your roll, you’ll need to stick to sheltered waterways.

All the other rescue techniques that are out there that you'll learn – in sea kayaking courses in particular – are about getting back into your kayak. And trust me when I say those are much more difficult and energy sapping than actually doing a roll. Not to mention, you're also very vulnerable. As soon as you're out of your kayak, you're very much at the mercy of whatever body of water you're in. Being out of your kayak means you're not in control.

For me, I think having a roll is really valuable for my own confidence – and my enjoyment – because I'm not worried about swimming and having to perform one of these other rescue techniques.

If you’ve decided that you don't want to learn to roll a kayak, you’ll have to learn other rescue techniques – either self rescue techniques or rescue techniques with the help of other people. You’ll have to be more conscious of the waters you’re paddling with, as well as who you’re paddling with, so that they can help you if a problem arises. You’ll also have to accept the fact that when you do go for a swim, it's going be a much more tiring and mentally draining experience.So, I guess what I'm saying is you don't need a roll, but having one certainly makes a huge difference. It takes professional instruction to learn the roll, but once you've got it, you've got it. And your paddling will be able to leap to a whole new level because you'll try things knowing that if you flip, you can roll yourself back up and carry on. If you decide not to learn the roll, that’s fine too, but you’ll just have to stick to protected environments and paddle with people that can help you in a pinch.

Still want to learn how to roll?

Check out this video on PaddleTV

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