Kayaking with Kids in South Lake Tahoe

Jun 22

Kayaking is a great sporting option when you want to get the whole family involved since it offers people of all ages and skill levels a chance to get out in the water and see Lake Tahoe. In particular, Lake Tahoe usually promises smooth waters that are easy for young paddlers to navigate and plenty of changing scenery that will keep them interested throughout the journey.

As you plan your trip, there are few risks and good ideas that it can be helpful to follow to make sure that your entire family stays safe while visiting Lake Tahoe and also has a great time.

What to Know When Taking Kids Kayaking in Tahoe?

Kids of almost any age can enjoy kayaking, but their enjoyment and safety does largely depend on the individual kid. Some familiarity with being in the water is always good in case they take an unexpected, unexpected plunge, although all children should be wearing a lifejacket, so kids do not need to be expert swimmers in order to go kayaking.

Also think about your child’s level of patience and energy. Kayaking can be a demanding physical activity, but mentally is more repetitive and relaxing, which may be too slow for some kids, especially during long trips.

These factors do not have to stop you from kayaking with your kids, but by knowing them going in, you can plan a better trip.

The first step is to choose kayaks for your group. South Lake Tahoe kayak rental from SUP Tahoe is the most convenient and affordable option. We offer one day to multi day rental so that you can choose the time period based on how your family wants to use their kayak. We also include car racks so that you can go wherever you like around the Tahoe area if you want to head to specific family-friendly kayaking locations.

Options for kayaks include a single or double. A single kayak seats one person and the double kayak seat seats two. With a double kayak, there is also the option for a duffer who rides in the center compartment of the kayak and does not paddle. Being a dufer can be a great role for a younger kid to help them to get familiar with the boat without the physical challenge.

Kids who are ready to paddle will sit in the front of the kayak in the bow position with either an adult or older older kid in the stern. A bow rider can paddle along with the stern rider, but can also take a break if necessary and leave the work to the person in the stern.

Some general age guidelines for the different positions are:

Kids younger than age 4 should be a duffer.
Kids between 4 and 8 can be a bow rider with minimal paddling.
Kids older than 8 can be a bow rider and paddler.
Experienced kids 13 and over can pilot a single kayak.

Lake Tahoe kayak rental will also outfit you with PFDs, although you can bring your own if your kids have a life jacket they already feel comfortable in or you are bringing a PFD along for other adventures on the lake. Life jackets should be on from the moment you step on the dock or in the water and the entire time while in the boat.

Once you have a kayak and life jackets, here is our other advice for kayaking with children:

Dress and Pack Appropriately - On Lake Tahoe, when the weather is good, the air will be warm but the water will still be a little chilly. You should always plan on getting wet at some point. Swimsuits are a great option and make it easy to move from kayaking to playing in the water afterwards. Water Resistant fabrics are better if you would prefer everyone to stay dry. Full coverage clothing and wide brimmed hats will offer protection from the sun, although sunscreen is a must as well here in Tahoe. For many kids, it can be worth bringing an extra pair of pants packed in a sealed plastic bag since splashing water will pool on the bottom of the kayak. Pack water and snacks as well and add any items that will help keep your kids more interested on the trip such as binoculars, compass, or fishing pole.
Choose Your Location - Our favorite locations when we have kids along are Pope Beach, Baldwin Beach, and El Dorado Beach. These are great sandy beaches in South Lake Tahoe that are easy to get to only - five minutes away from our shop - and offer a chance for swimming, splashing, and sandplay after kayaking or in between outings. When you are close to shore, you can also people watch which can often be more exciting for children than looking at trees and mountains.
Length of Trip - To limit boredom and keep your kids from tiring out, you should start off with a trip that is half an hour to an hour. Spend half that time going out and the other half of that time coming back. Until you get a feel for how long your kids want to be out, multiple shorter trips can be a better option and the beaches around South Lake Tahoe are the perfect spot for this.
Set Down the Rules - Before you get into the kayak, go over the rules with your kids. Kayaking does involve some risk and for everyone's safety, make sure your kids know not to stand, lean over the side of the boat, or engage in any other dangerous behavior.
Involve Your Kid - If a kid is paddling, show them how to execute the paddling motion for a kayak and let them take the lead in direction and speed. When they need breaks, you can take over for a little while. If you have a duffer on board, you can pass them the paddle for a few minutes to start building their experience.

When introducing many kids to outdoor activities, the only thing you can be sure of is that you never know quite what to expect, especially if this is your kids' first time kayaking. Fortunately if a trip gets cut short in South Lake Tahoe, has an unexpected dunking, or something else does not go quite to plan, you and your kids are likely to have an enjoyable day anyway with all of the natural beauty, new experiences, and fun activities in the area.

Stop by SUP Tahoe in South Lake Tahoe or reserve the single and double kayaks, as well as stand up paddleboards your group will need online so that you can pick up your rentals and head right to the water when you get here.