Family Paddling Tips
Have a fun outdoor adventure as a family exploring our local waterways with Whoosh Explore Canoe Club.
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Family paddling sessions are all about getting out, paddling and having fun together on the River Stort. We have a wide range of boats for hire suitable for family paddling with canoes and kayaking equipment suitable for your family of all ages and abilities to try.
For younger paddlers we recommend going on a short first adventure with the club. We have clip in seats and mini paddles for little paddlers, ideal for kids to play with and gain confidence whilst developing paddling skills.
What to bring on a paddle Aim to have wipes, snacks and a drink as little paddlers will find that they get hungry or thirsty in the boat when starting out on their first adventure.
Qualified and experienced professionals Learn a new sport with an experienced paddlers to guide you through your first paddle as a family. Our family paddles are led by qualified coaches with extensive experience of paddling with young children and families. Its reassuring to have someone watching out for you on a first family outing from through each aspect of a trip from putting on a buoyancy aid, getting the boat set up to paddling effectively and working as a team. Think about bringing along friends who can paddle with you are your children so you can keep all the family entertained.
How long is a family paddle? Our family paddling sessions are designed so that you can undertake a there and back paddle and typically Sessions last 2 – 2.5 hours on an easy grade of water. We have found this the ideal length of paddle when taking kids out for a first experience, we often find that parents bring young paddlers along to get a positive experience with children before they go on a school residential, Duke of Edinburgh Expedition or before booking a family paddle for a summer holiday.
A focus on paddle sport safety Our paddling sessions also focus on river safety and awareness of both your family other river users and water risks and hazards we have extensive paddling knowledge which is also great if you are thinking of hiring boats else-ware, going on an adventure, looking to explore different rivers or looking to buy your own equipment in the future.
Boats for older children Older paddlers will tend to want to be in single kayaks – we have a wide range of skeged ethos nine boats
these are stable single person boats and are easy to paddle by older children over 9 years old.
Kids tend to learn to paddle at there own pace We normally are able to get our young paddlers to try them out when we have spare boats available near the end of a session if kid want to try out their own boat for the first time, so this is useful when planning your next trip with us.
During paddling sessions Adults must accompany children under 9 at all times whilst undertaking activities unless we are running a kids paddling session or event.
Paddling sessions with whoosh Explore
For more information on what to wear have a look at our guide to paddling clothing
Add links about what to wear and paddling with kids.
When paddling in the winter months a scull cap will keep your head warm as well as add some protection against surfers from ear in a capsize situation.