Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

Guys I paddled for a few years 19-23 then I had a child and kinda lost it. I've managed to get my wife interested and I am looking for a couple Jackson fun series. I. 6' 175 and she is 5'5" 120. Any comparable boat would work as well. I am looking to get mine first and kind of brush up before I teach her much. I would also like to find some help getting my wife acquainted with a boat and see if she likes it before spending to much money. If anyone has suggestions, a boat or would like to paddle sometime please let us know. Wed love to meet people to paddle with.

Welcome back to paddling. So where are y'all located?

Sherwood

I'm in Arkadelphia, so not as conveniently situated as the LR paddlers. I'd recommend dropping by the pool sessions at UALR or heading down to Rockport on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon as a good way to meet some other paddlers and try out some boats. Surf and Turf is coming up at the end of July. This is another good time to meet lots of area boaters.

You'll find a good range of used boats on the message board For Sale and Gear Swap section. Should be plenty of Funs and such available.

Don't know what age your kid(s) is/are, but I'd think about including them, too. Manufacturers these days are putting our a number of boats designed for small kids. Introducing early and paddling as a family is a good way to go.

We have several others in the club with kids who paddle, so would be good to connect with them.

We are actually interested in having her paddle. She will be 4 in September and is already a heck of a doggie paddler. Lol. Hopefully that will translate to a boat. We are going to let her paddle a inflatable for a while. How big does a kid need to be to get a boat.

I saw a 5-6 yr old in an old school squirt boat at the ledge hitting the current like it wasn't even there...no skirt!

Here's a case for starting even younger: http://www.outsideonline.com/blog/outdo ... ckson.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

But note, he says don't push, and that one remained uninterested until age 12. I also think it is very important for the first dozen or more trips to be highly positive - nothing scary, not too long, not cold, etc. One bad trip before they get hooked can cause total shutdown in interest.