Summer presents many possibilities for families to spend time in the great outdoors, from bikes to hikes to boating. If you are looking for a fresh outdoor adventure, it may be time to try your hand at kayaking.
While many picture kayaking as racing through white waters, navigating rapids and falls, there is another type of kayaking that is more family-friendly—sea kayaking. Whether out on one of the many nearby lakes or the waters of Puget Sound, sea kayaking is something families can do together.
Steve Lewis, a local parent and a former kayaking guide, has seen firsthand the great family fun experienced through sea kayaking. Lewis says that families should consider guided tours to get the greatest benefit out of the trip. An experienced guide is able to read tides, currents, and weather conditions, and they are able to provide the greatest level of safety. Guides are also quite knowledgeable about the wildlife that might be encountered. Some of his favorites to spot are mink, the sunflower star, the peregrine falcon, and the Dall's porpoise.
According to Lewis, children as young as 5 or 6 are ready for a tandem kayak if they can hold a paddle and fit comfortably under a spray skirt. Tandem boats are very stable and allow children to take a break from paddling if they get tired. Some rental companies even provide triples that allow children to sit in the center.
Swimming ability has very little to do with readiness to kayak. According to Tom Murphy, owner of Outdoor Odysseys, being a strong swimmer may make the child more confident, but is not related to increased safety. All participants, adult and child, are required to wear a life jacket at all times when on the water.
Local kayak enthusiast Troy Langley recommends letting your kids get acclimated to being in a kayak before you try a real trip. Allowing your kids to spend time "just messing around" in a kayak in calm lake waters, such as Green Lake, will improve their ability to maneuver and increase their confidence. This also gives parents an opportunity to assess the child's interest level, and to gauge the right length of trip to fit your family.
Northwest Outdoor Center on Lake Union is also a great place for beginners to get a feel for being in a kayak. Even kids as young as 8 years old may be able to paddle single kayaks, a bonus for more adventurous and independent spirits.
The Seattle area provides many options for kayaking adventures—you can hardly throw a rock without hitting water! There are plenty of options for family kayak adventures, like Port Townsend, Quartermaster Harbor, and Orcas Island.
Among the most popular sea kayaking spots is the San Juan Islands. Anacortes Kayak Tours is located on Fidalgo Island, and has provided family-friendly kayaking tours for 10 years. The company is committed to providing experiences for families with kids of almost any age. In the summer they have eight departure times for trips geared specifically toward children. The 1.5 hour trips are easy for most kids above the age of 3 to enjoy. They also offer half day and full day trips, which are best enjoyed by children ages 6 and up. Families are also welcome to take fully-catered multi-day trips.
Having two small kids himself, Erik Schorr of Anacortes Kayak Tours knows that something very special happens when families go out on the water together. "Sea kayaking is great for families because, much like taking them out on a walk in the forest, we travel at a slow enough pace to take in the incredible details of the natural environment. It gives kids and parents alike a new perspective on the region. There is just something special about floating quietly along listening to porpoise and seals breathing all around us, or feeling the roughness of a purple sea star. We like to think that we are creating future advocates for protecting our waters!"
Murphy's Outdoor Odysseys is also based in the San Juan Islands, and provides every option imaginable for family kayaking adventures. Guided tours start with half day options which include about three hours of paddling and stay on the east side of the islands. From there, the options increase to whole day trips, overnight trips, and even trips of up to five days. With customization, families can determine how much paddling they want to do each day, and if they want a layover to spend two nights at the same camping spot.
With the longer trips, kayakers can expect to encounter more varieties of wildlife. Marine mammals such as otters, harbor seals, and sea lions are spotted regularly. Intertidal life such as anemones and urchins can be found during beach breaks, and the types of birds range from shore birds to eagles. The most coveted sighting, however, remains the famous orcas of the J, K, and L pods.
So whether you end up splashing around Green Lake or paddling your way around the San Juan Islands, there is a kayak adventure just right for you and your family. Make it your goal to get out there and take advantage of our spectacular local playground.
Happy paddling!
For more tips and suggestions on how to get out on the water with kids – day trips or beginner overnight trips, check out Float On! Canoeing and Kayaking with Kids
