Kayaking anyone?

[smkiya]

This summer we are going to Hilton Head Island for vacation. Kayaking is one of the activities down there, and dd5 would like to do it. We will be there with her 7 year old cousin and dd will turn 6 a couple months after the trip. Is 5-7 years old too young to kayak? How often do the boats tip over? I'd be doing it too as a newbie, is it hard? I really don't want to tip over! Please answer my questions and tell me YOUR experiences with kayaking... especially your first time out stories.

Thanks!!!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I'm an avid kayaker but my first time was in St. Croix in a bay. It was beautiful and one of my favorite parts of the trip. I don't do much kayaking on currents or any kind of white water kayaking, mostly just big lakes and calm waterways/rivers so I can enjoy the peace and quiet and take photographs. I would call and check with the place (kayak people are very nice! ). Most kayak places have rules as to how old kids can be to kayak on their own as it's a liability issue for them. Every kayak rental place I've been to (and kayak tours I've been on) have two person kayaks available. That would be perfect with a child. As long as the water is calm (which in Hilton Head it more than likely would be, unless you're planning on going ocean kayaking) even a beginner will have no problem paddling a kayak. Also I recommend finding a kayak tour to go on. Not only are the tour guides extremely informative (telling you all about the environment and history of the area) but they can help if you're out there and get in to any trouble.

I've never come close to tipping over. The only chance of having that happen really (unless someone is trying to ) in calm water is when you're getting in and out but you do that in shallow water or half on land/half off.

 

[Califgirl]

I've kayaked at HHI and although the water is 'calm' in the waterways, there is a definite current. That's fine if you are going with the current, but paddling is much more difficult going against the current (which is half the kayaking trip). I've kayaked in the ocean in Hawaii, and truthfull I thought that was a little easier than going against the HHI current.
I too, recommend taking a tour and not venturing out on your own (unless you are an experienced kayaker and know the area).

As previoiusly stated, most kayak rental places will have rules about age & participation and I think all of them will have you sign wavers and releases.

The two person kayak is the way to go, especially if the other person is a nice strong paddler!

 

[FireDancer]

There is a pretty big difference between kayaking on an open sea and and inland lake. I would go with some of the previous recommendations and go in a group while having your daughter in a kayak with you as opposed to solo.

Baring large waves tipping isn't really a concern unless she panics but I am not sure if she would be strong enough to paddle against the current. If you were an expert kayaker you might be able to let her go out alone knowing you have the skill to stay close to her and help in case of an emergency with a tow rope. If you aren't an expert I would not let her kayak on any large body of water alone. A small inland lake in a park, sure.