Curious about paddleboarding with kids? You’re in the right place!
I used to wonder about paddleboarding with them, too. Now, after taking them out, I don’t wonder anymore. You can bring children of any age and swimming ability paddleboarding. It is a great way to bond and introduce them to wildlife, water sports, etc. I wish we had taken up paddleboarding when the kids were younger.
I want to give a big shoutout to Ella Ran, a paddleboarding enthusiast and the co-owner of Outsiders USA in DeLand, Florida, who has shared much paddleboarding wisdom with me. My family and I went on our first paddleboard outing with her; we’ve been hooked on the sport ever since. Without her, I wouldn’t be the paddleboarder I am today and would never have taken my kids on the water.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about paddling with kids, including what kind of board to buy, wildlife encounters, the best locations, and so much more.
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Table of Contents
- Sharing a Paddleboard with Your Child vs. Your Child on Their Own Paddleboard
- Best Paddleboards for You and Your Kids
- Simple Steps to Standing on a Paddleboard
- What Safety Precautions Do I Need to Take When Paddling with Kids?
- Kid-Friendly Paddleboarding Locations
- Dealing with Wildlife While Paddling with Kids
- What Your Kids Should Wear While Paddleboarding
- Ready to Paddle?
Sharing a Paddleboard with Your Child vs. Your Child on Their Own Paddleboard
So before you do anything, you’ll need to determine whether your child should share a paddleboard with you or have their own board.
Generally, young children should ride on the same board with an adult. For kids between 8 and 11 years old, it gets a little trickier. They might be ready for their own board. Once they are 12 and older, they are probably ready to start paddling on their own board.
Sharing Your Paddleboard with a Child
Double-check your board’s weight limit and make sure you and your child are within it. Remember to include anything you might be taking with you, such as coolers, dry bags, and other equipment.
Have Space for Your Child
Your child needs space on the board just for them. I recommend having the child at the front of the board so you can keep an eye on them.
It can be tricky to fit everyone comfortably on a board, but you can do it. Practice a lot. You will find a rhythm and what works best for you and your family.
Child on Their Own Paddleboard
Older children might want to paddle their own boards. Just make sure they know the safety rules for your area.
Our son, a teenager, paddles his kayak, but he and I shared a board on our first paddle. Our tween daughter has started using her own paddleboard. She used to ride on our boards with either my husband or me.
Tethers
Consider having ropes to keep your boards together or be able to do so. It will help if your child struggles to paddle or ends up on your board, and you have to pull theirs along. The first time my daughter paddled her own board, we tethered it to my husband’s board. It helped her gain confidence and we haven’t used a tether since.
Best Paddleboards for You and Your Kids
Most new paddleboarders need help finding the right board, and now you are adding kids to the mix.
Hard vs. Inflatable Paddleboards
Hard boards:
- Are rigid and made of fiberglass and foam. They offer stability, speed, good maneuverability, and have a thin profile.
- Are heavy, bulky, and expensive. They take up a lot of storage space and can be hard to transport.
- If you fall off, you might hit your solid board, leaving a nasty bruise.
Inflatable boards:
- Are portable, cheaper than hard boards, durable, and lightweight. They are easy to store, even in tight spaces.
- Can explode when fully inflated and left in the sun.
- If you fall off your board and hit it, it will hurt less than a hard board because they are soft and can bend and stretch as needed.
| Hard SUPs | Inflatable SUPs | |
| Pros | Stable Fast Maneuverable | Lightweight Portable Inexpensive |
| Cons | Heavy Bulky Expensive | Slow Less Maneuverable Must Inflate and Deflate |
Should You Buy a Kid’s Board?
If you’ve been researching paddleboards for a while, you might have seen that there are kid-sized paddleboards. They are intended to make paddleboarding easy for your child. The boards are typically around 8 feet long and 31 inches wide and weigh around 15 lbs. Weight capacity is between 140 and 150 lbs. They are cheaper than adult-sized boards.
Is it worth buying one?
It totally depends on how into paddling your child is. I would not recommend buying one without first going out with your child on one board and seeing how they do. Then, consider how long it will last before they outgrow it and how often your child will want to paddle.
Our boards:
- My board is an Evolve Good Buddy hardboard (10’4″ x 30″)
- My hubby’s board is a Movement Simple Cruiser (10’6″ x 32″)
- Our youngest uses a BOTE WULF Aero iSUP. It’s 10′4″ × 34″
- Our oldest doesn’t use a paddleboard at all! He has chosen an Oru foldable kayak.
Simple Steps to Standing on a Paddleboard
Please note that you and your board should be in shallow water. The most important thing is that your fins are not touching the bottom.
- Get on the board:
- Hold the board with one hand,
- Put your backside to the board,
- Sit on the center of the board,
- Swing your legs from the water onto the board.
- From sitting, kneel with wide knees.
- Transition to a wide squat.
- Make sure to look up.
- Grab your paddle.
- Stand slowly with your eyes up.
- It’s OK to feel wobbly.
- Start paddling.
Don’t feel like you have to stand for long periods. Just keep trying. There’s also nothing wrong with kneeling or sitting. Just get out there and paddle.
What Safety Precautions Do I Need to Take When Paddling with Kids?
Like other outdoor activities, paddling has its risks. However, there are precautions you can take that can help minimize injuries, both minor and severe.
Please check the safety rules in your state and paddle locations.
Legally-Required Safety Gear in Florida
Personal Flotation Device (PFD). Everyone who is paddling needs to have a PFD. It should fit snugly and be comfortable. Make sure that you purchase one specifically for the person who is paddling (kids, women, etc.).
My family and I tried on several at the store, wore them for some time, and moved around like we would on a SUP. Amazon and other retailers have lots of choices if you can’t get to an actual store.
Every state has laws about this. Florida requires anyone under the age of six to wear one. Some states require children under 13 to wear one. Whatever the law, always bring them and wear them as much as possible.
Whistle. All paddlers need a whistle. They are inexpensive, small, and lightweight. The kids and I wear one that is attached to our PFDs.
Lights. If paddling during low-light hours (dawn, dusk, night), have a flashlight or lantern that emits white light. While paddlers can always have fun LED lights, this requirement is different. The white light is only displayed to approaching paddlers and boaters.
Recommended Safety Gear for Florida
Leash. A leash will ensure the paddler and board stay together if someone falls off. There are different kinds, some that attach to your ankle, others at your waist. My family and I use coiled ankle leashes. Pick one that fits your budget and needs.
Kid-Friendly Paddleboarding Locations
While every region has paddle locations that are safer for families, there are some general things to look for when selecting a spot.
As a beginner with kids, I found it challenging to find places safe enough to go. We did plenty of scouting at nearby locations, asked questions on various forums, and asked Ella. I recommend you do plenty of research about an area you plan to paddle. If there is a local expert, reach out to them or have them take you on a tour.
Paddling Lakes with Kids
Lakes have minimal currents, so they can be an easy and calm paddling opportunity.
Make sure to research wherever you are going before you set out. Lakes are often popular for motorized boats, but if you stay closer to the shore, you should be able to avoid boats.
We haven’t explored many lakes yet, mainly because we live in central Florida, home to many, many, many alligators. So far, we have only paddled The Lagoon at Blue Spring State Park, but Clearwater Lake in the Ocala National Forest is next on the list.
Spring Runs and Kids are a Good Mix
If you live in Florida or are visiting the area, consider paddleboarding in a spring. There are many in the area to choose from. The crystal clear waters are wonderful for spotting wildlife and so very pretty. And after a paddle, you can swim in the spring.
Keep in mind that spring runs have a current. So you and the kids will be working hard when paddling towards the spring source, but then the return paddle is more steering than anything else.
Should You Paddle Creeks and Rivers with Kids?
You certainly can. The biggest concern here is how strong the currents are and what size boats can access them.
If you choose a creek or river with a strong current, plan to paddle with the current and then have a vehicle waiting at the end of the paddle. Some places also have shuttle services, so you don’t have to worry about planning so much.
We have paddled the St. Johns River with the kids, but this was only to get to the Blue Spring run. Our first paddle was on a river with motorized boats, kayakers, and alligators. We went during the week, so we didn’t have to worry about boat traffic because there were hardly any boats on the river.
The Intracoastal and Bay Areas Can Be Kid-Friendly
These areas are tidal waters affected by low and high tides. Make sure you review the tides before heading out.
Intracoastal and bay areas have fewer waves than the open ocean, but winds and motorized boats can be tricky to navigate, so timing is everything. Keep in mind that you can also go out with a tour guide who will help make sure the area and weather conditions are safe.
Some of our early paddles as a family were on the intercoastal waters in Florida because there were fewer alligators, more dolphins, and swimming.
Choose a Paddle Location with Shallow Water
Regardless of where you choose to go, make sure it has plenty of shallow water. It doesn’t need to be as shallow as 3 feet, but you don’t want to go to a location with only deep areas or a tiny shallow area that quickly drops off. It will be easier for you to get to your child and help them get back on their boards in shallower water.
Find a Place with a Calm and Easy Launch Point
Where you launch is just as important as where you paddle. I recommend finding a launch point that is only for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. If they allow boats, try to find one that only allows small boats with small engines. For example, the Wekiva River only allows boats with motors 25 HP or less.
Always check how far you have to carry your boards and equipment. Some places allow paddlers to drop their stuff off right at the launch point and then park. Other places make you park, and then you have to get your gear down to the launch point, and sometimes those are some long, long paths.
Dealing with Wildlife While Paddling with Kids
Being outdoors means natural beauty, including local wildlife. Not all SUP locations have the same wildlife, but there are general rules to follow when encountering them. Make sure to teach your kids about wildlife encounters and these basic rules.
Give Them Space
As a general rule, stay 75 feet from most wildlife. Regarding bears, wolves, coyotes, alligators, and other predators, stay 300 feet away.
When on the water, distance can be challenging to determine. Just move away from all wildlife and turn around if necessary.
Never Feed Wildlife
It’s dangerous to feed wildlife, even cute squirrels and raccoons. It can make them aggressive towards humans, and if it is not their natural food and nutrition, it can lead to health problems.
Learn Specific Guidance for Your Region
While you might run into some of the same wildlife on the East Coast, folks from northern states may not know about alligators, crocodiles, or Florida cottonmouth. Learning about an area will help you prepare and minimize the possibility of people or wildlife getting hurt.
Although not specific to paddleboarding, here are some guidelines from the National Park Service.
What Your Kids Should Wear While Paddleboarding
Your kids should wear whatever they wear for a day at the beach. The biggest concern on the water is protecting their feet, skin, and eyes.
Please note that I am only talking about warm-weather paddling, not paddling during extreme temperatures.
Water Shoes
We don’t wear shoes while on our boards, and I don’t recommend you do either. Water shoes have grip that will make proper foot placement difficult.
However, everyone should wear shoes when they are off their board. The ground around launch points can have scratchy oyster shells and slippery rocks, and boat ramps can be slippery and unforgiving.
Water shoes protect the bottom of your kids’ feet while letting water in and out of the shoes.
Rashguard
Shaded paddles exist, but many are on open water with little shade. Unlike sunblock, rashguards will protect your kids from the sun all day.
Rashguards also offer additional protection from bug bites and jellyfish stings. They are quick to dry and safe for swimming and all-day wear.
Hat or Sunglasses
Since your kids will be on the water, all sunlight will reflect on it and into their eyes.
Sunglasses can help keep glare and bright light from reaching their eyes, making it safer to see where they are going and improving the experience.
A hat will help block sunlight from getting between their eyes and their sunglasses.
Ready to Paddle?
Everything you need to know before you start paddleboarding: