SUP Board for Kids: How Children Learn Stand Up Paddling
Stand up paddleboarding knows no age limits, and active older people can still easily learn to paddle.
Those who have difficulty with balance can also do the sport sitting down with a kayak seat. However, there are hardly any age limits even for younger paddlers, provided certain conditions are met. For children, stand up paddleboarding is a great athletic balance to sitting in school and a sport that can be enjoyed with the whole family.
Prerequisites for children to learn stand up paddleboarding
Before children can try and learn stand up paddleboarding, some prerequisites must be met. The most important one is that the child can swim safely and well without help and enjoys being in the water. If the child has a great fear of water, stand up paddleboarding is probably not the right leisure activity, or initial attempts should be made later, once the fear of water has been successfully overcome.
The SUP board is not a swimming aid – as additional safety equipment, a suitable buoyancy aid is essential for children. (Even adults should always carry buoyancy aids for emergencies when stand up paddleboarding.) A suitable leash is also indispensable for stand up paddleboarding.
If these prerequisites are met – which is usually the case from about 6 to 7 years of age – children can learn stand up paddleboarding. Younger children can sit at the bow of the SUP board and be taken along by adults – but here too, make sure that the child always wears a suitable life vest.
The right equipment for stand up paddleboarding
Stand up paddleboarding should always be done under adult supervision, and a SUP course is a sensible investment for children whose parents have no prior SUP experience, to avoid beginner mistakes. A joint SUP course for the whole family is also great fun and an excellent way to learn and deepen basic knowledge.
Another prerequisite is the right clothing for children. In principle, it is helpful if the first attempts are made in water temperatures above 20 degrees, but a suitable wetsuit should still be chosen, as children get cold faster than adults. In addition, children usually have fewer problems falling into the water than adults and often romp and jump on the SUP board, followed by a splash into the water. Therefore, you should make sure that the SUP clothing is always adapted to the water temperature and not the air temperature. Especially in midsummer with strong sun exposure, suitable headwear additionally protects against overheating or sunstroke.
The right sun protection should be a matter of course when stand up paddleboarding and should therefore become routine for children as well. In very warm water temperatures, in addition to waterproof sunscreen, swimwear with UV protection such as a Lycra shirt or board shorts and surf leggings can be worn. Don't forget to protect your eyes from the sun – there are also watersports goggles for children with a strap, so that the sunglasses don't get lost if they fall into the water.
Tips for the first attempts: Stand Up Paddleboarding with children
For the first attempts, you should choose calm waters that are as little frequented by boats and ships as possible, have no current, and where there is little wind that could create small wind waves. The entry should also be very easy; the best way to start is from the shore or a beach that gently slopes into the lake and where there is a shallow standing area at the entry point.
If you yourself have no prior experience, a SUP course for children or families is advisable. Make sure that suitable boards for children are also used in the SUP course, if your child does not already have their own children's SUP board.
Especially at the beginning, it is important to explain to the child how they should react if they fall into the water, so as not to panic.
Choose nice, sunny days and waters with warm temperatures at the beginning. During the first attempts, the child may fall into the water a few times, and ultimately, fun should be the priority. The first attempts can also be done sitting down – for example, with a kayak seat – if your child feels more secure that way. Later, further attempts can be made kneeling, and if the child feels sufficiently secure, they can try the first attempts standing up.
In addition to the suitable children's SUP board, you should definitely choose a children's paddle, because paddles that are too large and too heavy can cause overuse and shoulder pain with prolonged use.
The right SUP board for children
As a manufacturer of SUP boards, paddles, and accessories, we have given a lot of thought to the right SUP board for children. The Glory Boards "Kids" with a length of 9'0" is perfect for children and teenagers up to approximately 50 kilograms. This SUP board is also the right choice for very light adults up to 50 kilograms due to its compact dimensions.
The Glory Boards "Kids" is a stable and lightweight all-round board that even children can comfortably carry to the shore. Adult SUP boards are too large and too heavy for children, making maneuvering difficult both when carrying and on the water.
For this SUP board for children, stability and good straight-line tracking were important criteria during development. In addition, the board also has 4 D-rings to which a kayak seat can be attached. This allows initial attempts to be made sitting down, and with the seat, the children's SUP board can also be used for fishing.
The color white-mint was chosen for the Glory Boards "Kids" because this color combination was very popular with the children surveyed. The Glory Boards "Cross" is also available in this color combination, so children and parents can paddle in coordinating colors.
With every Glory Boards children's SUP board, you receive a suitable aluminum paddle for children, a carrying backpack, and a repair kit is also included in the set. Of course, you will also find the appropriate leash in the set for more safety on the water! The kayak set can be purchased optionally as an accessory.
As accessories, you can equip your child with a dry bag and a waterproof smartphone case. After all, provisions should never be missing during sports, and the great moments on the water should be captured with some photos.
Conclusion: Children learning Stand Up Paddleboarding
Stand up paddleboarding can be a wonderful change for children from sitting in school for hours, and it's really a lot of fun. It's also a great way to spend leisure time with the whole family and to go on fantastic SUP excursions. In addition, children get exercise in the fresh air, improve their balance, and have a great time on the water. Nevertheless, your child's safety should always be a priority to prevent accidents.
We wish you and your family a fantastic time on the water during your joint family SUP adventures!
