There are many different types of fun activities that people can do on the water today. Besides swimming, the family can find different things that both the adults and children can do, while also practicing safe measures. Using various safety measures is one of the essential keys to keeping everyone involved truly enjoying all kinds of different water sports without injuring themselves. While some water activities are are popular and commonly known by people all over the U.S. and abroad, others may not be so familiar and they may require a little introduction for people to understand them. One such activity that this article references is standup paddle boarding for kids. Therefore, for parents who want their children to join in on a water activity that provides them with many hours of great fun inside the water, here some invaluable information about stand up paddle boarding as it relates to kids.
Typically, before the family hits the waters together with the kids, there are somethings that the family will need to secure and take when they begin this sport. The items that they carry will relate directly to the type of equipment and accessories needed to have a great time. With this being said, here’s 8 essential things that’s needed to get started with Kids stand up paddleboarding right away.
#1 – Glasses and a hat
One of the first things that moms may want to consider taking with them involves the use of glasses and a hat. Because kids paddleboard sports requires kids to spend quite a bit of extra time in the sun, glasses and a hat are not a luxury, but a necessity. Sun glasses will help to protect the kids eyes when they are in the hot sun, and a hat will keep the sun beams from hitting the head directly to make them hot and uncomfortable. Therefore, before a child and their mom reaches the area, they will need to make sure that they invest in both so that they will not be forced to put off this play time for a later date.
#2 -Sunscreen and kids stand up boarding in the sun
Exposure to sunlight is essential for everybody because it promotes good heath. However, it is important to note that too much exposure to the sun can cause a variety of different issues including a painful burning of the skin that may eventually lead to skin cancer. Therefore, it is imperative that moms choose the best sunscreens for their kids before they take them out with their stand up paddle boarding activities for the day. Even though some sunscreens simply feel like moisturizing lotions, they are not because they are being designed to filters out the suns ultraviolet rays in order to reduce amount of damage done to the skin.
#3 – the best water shoes for sup paddle boarding
Another important area to consider is the type of footwear that the kids should wear on their feet. Therefore, people will need to do their research in advance in order to make the best selections. Fortunately, there are sites online that can assist with making an informed decision. Some of which will help parents to look at the best type for Stand up Paddling before they make a purchase. In some cases, the parent may want to order a pair of water shoes online and then have it shipped to the home. For instance, the water shoes can keep the kids feet from be from having problems with cold or battered feet.
#4 – Choosing the right Stand up Paddle (SUP) board for kids and equipment for kids paddleboard activities
It is important to note that there are at least 5 different types of stand up paddle boards that people can buy on the market today and they are the Surf specific boards, all-around/Touring boards, the Inflatable stand up paddle boards, the Racing Boards and the Yoga Boards. Each have been designed for specific types of activities. Therefore, when a parent is shopping around for the best types for their children, they will need to review each type to see which one is the most appropriate. However, it is also important that the parent knows that their are stand up paddle boards that have been designed specifically for kids. For instance, a parent may want to invest in a Burke 10.5-ft. Stand-Up Paddleboard Package or the Airhead SUP Popsicle 730. The type that the parent buys will often depend on the design and how much the parent is willing to pay since they vary in price ranges greatly.
#5 – The correct length paddle for a child’s stand up paddle board
When an individual chooses the length of their paddle board, it is important that they decide where they want to paddle. This information will determine what the length of the board should be. Because children will have their activities on a calm lake, they should choose styles that fit these activities. It is also important to note that children will need the shorter length because they are much easier pick up and carry.
#6 – kids stand up paddle board leash – whether to wear or not
Parents wants their children to be safe in any type of activity so there are some accessories that everyone should consider when their children are participating in this sport. One of the most notable is the stand up board leash. This leash has been designed for safety uses in cases when the child falls and will protect their life.
#7 – personal flotation device for kids stand up paddle boarding
Personal flotation devices are also designed for safety on the water. So, parents should check these out too. In the past, the PFDs were initially considered to be too cumbersome to use because of the overall design. However, today with the new designs, these problems have already been addressed.
#8 – the best swimsuit to wear for a child while paddle boarding
The type of weather will help to determine what gear the children should wear since they may be involved in cold weather paddling or dry weather. For example, if the child is involved in dry weather paddling, they should wear dry tops that have been designed with a latex neck and wrist gaskets.
Photo Credit: Mike Norton.