Kayaking with a toddler??

[Jayray]

Anybody done it?? Any advice? Think it's a bad idea? I have a 15 mo. I was thinking that I could maybe seat him in one of those little strap in booster seats (it's more like a camp chair) and also some how strap that to the kayak. Or I guess just one of us could paddle and the other one hold him.

The water we'll be in is very shallow and calm.

[jammomma]

I've only ever been sea kayaking in calm sea water, and I have a 15 month old, but I would never even consider taking him kayaking even in the calmest of water. My son has had over two months of swimming lessons and has been in a pool almost every day this summer, but he can't swim yet. And I think to kayak safely anywhere in any condition the athlete must be able to swim at the very least, and should be a strong swimmer, imo.

Can your 15 month old swim on his own? What would happen if your kayak over turned and he went under? What if you were not able to get to him right away? Is your child able to pull/climb himself out of the water on is own? What if your little one decided he didn't want to be strapped in any more and started fidgeting? Kayaks tip over soo easily. Do you feel confident that your 15 month old can take care of himself if the kayak happened to flip over? What if he knocked his head on a rock? These are just a few of the questions that come to my mind. I think even with a life vest the chances of something happening are too great.

I think taking a 15 month od kayaking (even sea kayaking) would be fool hardy at best.

[Jayray]

Well, for starters we would all be wearing life vests. I certainly don't expect my 15 mo to swim to safety.

After reading a bit online, I can see that the strapping in is probably a bad idea.

I also found this helpful thread if anyone else is interested:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1088069

[ellemenope]

If he was strapped in what would happed if the kayak flipped over? Would he be wearing a life jacket?

As long as the water was shallow (you can see the bottom) and the water was calm, I don't think I would have any problems with kayaking with my daughter. I mean if it was really really calm and shallow and there were two of us there with her, I think I would even forgo a life jacket. But, she is 26 months and not very antsy. I am pretty sure she would love it.

we have done oceans and lakes and adhere to a very strict life jacket rule. In fact, growing up i think i was made to wear a life jacket at the lake until i was 14! I don;t blame my parents. The visability at that lack was like 1 foot.

[mamareads]

My son is almost two and we've taken him on numerous canoe and kayak trips starting around 11 months old. When he was younger, one person would hold him or sit with him. Now, he just sits in a camp chair facing me (I'm on the canoe seat) or in between my legs (facing out) with the paddle in front of both of us when we're in a kayak. He and I both wear life jackets. Also, I would never strap a child into a boat. He's safest in the water in his life jacket (not strapped to an overturned boat for example) if something were to happen. Just use common sense and only go out on calm days and be able to get to shore quickly if need be.