Canoe Expeditions with BABY!!!

highbrace · Posted: Sun May 13, 2012 6:58 pm Post subject: Canoe Expeditions with BABY!!!

Now that paddling season is here, we have tried to get our 14month baby to come paddling with us..I have the wife sit backwards on the ground with baby in her lap...But our child is super active and is constantly trying to jump out....I get to smile and enjoy soloing the boat while I watch the wifey struggle to keep our child from jumping out of the boat...

Any tips or suggestions on how we can rig up the boat so baby and wife have a nicer time. We find that bringing snacks like cheesepuffs and sprite keep her amused for a short bit. And stopping lots on shore tends to break up the monotany of boating

Any tele folks canoe trip with toddlers and have any suggestions that would be awesome!

Colorado Yooper · Joined: 30 Dec 2004 Posts: 358 Location: Woodland Park, CO

In a very safe setting put the baby in an infant PFD and dip him/her in the water one foot at a time. At 14 months they'll realize where they want to be is in the boat... Or have one of you wade next to the boat to control the exit. Nothing like a little experiential education! Given your location I assume the water is pretty cold.
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Matt J · Joined: 09 Dec 2009 Posts: 2623

build or buy a John boat or dory? might just be a matter of balance / craft size / comfort for all three of you - a raft is great if ur not having to row flat water into the wind

maybe a backpack style carrier in the front facing forward if ur wife might paddle in the bow?

2 left feet · Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 9:03 am Post subject:

If the kids floats, it's a witch.
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rsireland3 · Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 9:35 am Post subject:

I'll take controlled exit for 1000 please, Alex.
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stinkyclimber · Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 3:34 pm Post subject:

We've done this lots. Easier for kid to sit in front of bow paddler. Less space for them to screw around, the canoe is deeper up there, plus then they can look out ahead to see where the canoe is going which they usually like. Then fill the bow there with toys and snacks.

Our kids were pretty chilled so jumping out wasn't a problem. But not with all of our friends who we paddled with. Usually the little bugger finally succeeds - once - and lands in the drink. Fish them out, console them until they stop crying, and then usually it isn't a problem anymore. They won't drown - you are right there to pull them out.

Warning: if you are planning on camping, then pick a sandy site or else you will end up with lots of ugly face-plants onto. Oh - and any mozzies or black-flies are suckage for kids, since they won't deal with bug-shirts, and repellent is usually too toxic. They just get driven insane. But then they love playing in the tent, so usually all is well.

The right mind-set is key: the canoe trip is for and about the kid, and getting them exposed to it, not for you. It is 50 million times more work than without them. If you accept this, then it will be "fun."

Unless you are just going for a day-paddle, for overnight camping I'd suggest waiting till closer to two. Being a solid walker and big enough to wear a PFD comfortably makes a HUGE difference.

edgeworker · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 3286

highbrace · Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 3:56 pm Post subject:

Great advice all, thanks
I will be trying new systems out in the morning. Should be interesting, she most likely will flip the boat. I am just gonna keep plugging away until one day she is old enough to thank me.

aqua_toque · Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 4:04 pm Post subject:

If cheesepuffs and sprite aren't working you might need to seek professional help on this one.

edgeworker · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 3286

lowangle al · Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Posts: 472 Location: anchorage

Highbrace, it sounds like you are going to have a lot of fun in your future. Kids love to be outside and the canoe is the ideal tool to get them out here.

Last summer I took my grandaughter out who was a few months shy of three. We didn't get very far when she informed me she needed her own paddle and her own seat.

The only advise I have is to paddle close to shore so there will be stuff to look at.

Have fun!
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giffordpinchot · Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 4:33 pm Post subject:

robrox · Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 4:39 pm Post subject:

stinkyclimber nailed all the biggies...

Everything takes much longer! Driving to the store with a little one takes 2-3 times longe in town....paddling to see the frogs and lilly pads can easily take most of a day. Settle in and just watch them take it all in....well, don't let them eat it all....but you get what I mean.

As for the water, if you start them in the warm shallows, they often will progress to not squwaking about the cold water...that might take a year or three, and involve starting over each year.

We started with rented rowboats, canoes were a pretty quick transition.
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leo · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 1253

I think our child may have been younger easier to control. Did a multiday float trip by raft. Used the car seat. Probably not a good idea if you flip. Umbrella attached for sun and rain. Had a portable playpen for the gravel bars when we made camp.The trip sucked but everybody survived.
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climberchica · Joined: 16 Dec 2004 Posts: 287 Location: Gunnison, CO

We have done a few canoe day trips with our now 3-year-old. I think her first was at 1 1/2. We're not avid canoers- we maybe go once or twice a year.

For our kid, we gave her her own paddle and let her "help". We also gave her "jobs", like finding a bird or finding a good spot to paddle to. We are not below giving bribes- jelly beans being our current favorite- for us and for her. Smile

We have used a ton of language with her. Example: we don't stand up in the boat because the boat will tip over. If the boat tips over, we will all fall in and everything will be wet. Then, it will be much harder to camp. So, stay seated in the boat.

That said, I have a pretty risk-averse kid. "Safety" is her middle name.

Good luck, whatever you do. And keep it up!!!
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