My girlfriend has made suggestions that she would be interested in picking up sea kayaking. I took a three day guide tour last year and would love the opportunity for this activity to become more of a family, she has a 5 year old, adventure.

My thought was to rent a triple and go out on a overnight paddle including a camping aspect to the trip. So I pose the following short list of questions to the group:

1. Is this a good idea?
2. If no, then what would be a good alternative?
3. If yes, then what would be a good trip?
3a. Understand that I am a novice paddler and will have two inexperience paddlers.

Commonsense is telling me in my situation that the trip would need to be in sheltered waters and close to the shore. This will serve two purposes be safer and more interesting for the kid.

I know someone has had this experience before and would rather get suggestions on the right way to do this. The problem is I wouldn't know where to start to look for this kind of a trip.

I live in the Seattle area and would not mind a little bit of driving to reach the put in.

Chris

Chris,

First I'd try several good day paddles and build up to the sort of distance yo intend to travel. Take along the sort of camping gear you expect to take on an overnighter including the tent etc maybe build up to this. You need to try the gear first and gain some paddling experience all at the same time.

See if you can do some formal paddle training from your local kayak store. You need to learn what to take and what works for you. This includes cooking gear food sleeping bags etc etc. Its best to start slowly and work up to this.

You really don't want to spend a miserable night camping and have everyone turn off the idea.
and yes definitely in sheltered waters make sure you obtain the best weather updates you can and try and find a local familiar with the area.

Sorry can't help with the areas to paddle in.

Good on you for taking on the challenge just do it safely.

Cheers

Bill

I agree completely with Bill. Chris, before you consider taking others--especially complete novices--paddling or overnighting, it would be best to become comfortable and secure in your own knowledge and experience of both of these activities. There are plenty of books on both subjects, by people with established reputations for being expert in these subjects--I would get into some of those books first, before maybe soliciting info from complete strangers on the Internet--people who may or may not know what they're posting about. I definitely include myself in the category of those whose credentials are unknown to virtually all other posters.

hey mate have to say the other 2 are pretty much spot on. perhaps even try looking for a local guiding company and see if they can work out some sort of deal. i'm not too sure about what they would have to say about a child, especially one so young, or whether this isn't something that you are interested in. perhaps even if you have any friends that are a bit more experienced and would be prepared to go with you.
i haven't been to seattle but have been a little further up the coast and there are pretty crazy currents that can form in that area so it may pay to get experience on your side, either with another person or get out there more yourself before you want to take thos that are nearest/dearest to you and putting their lives at risk. it is always pretty sad reading about families that go out and it turns really bad.
not trying to scare you or put you off but please be careful
good luck
lachie

People get angry with me for saying things like this but; I am not much of a fan of taking small children kayaking.
It is true that children always take the risks that their parenst choose for them, but the parent must be able to understand and calculate these risks and the only way a parent could do that is to be a fairly experienced kayker.
I would advise the parent kayaker to consider these points

Can you car camp with your five year old and enjoy it?
If you can't camp out of a car I don't predict much sucess with a kayak.

would you take your child on a rescue practice, ie. overturn a kayak with the child in it?
If this would be to scarry for a five year old then I would not count on the child retaining their composure in a real emergency.

Are you experienced enough kayaking and familiar enough with the area you are in to guarentee that nothing will go badly wrong?
You have to be, the child depends on you.

Good thought all. Any local guided groups that you could paddle out with there. Many start out this way and then you have someone on hand every day to answer questions and give advice.

I agree with all, but, if you child likes camping, nows the time to start "safe" kayaking. We have two grand daughters that have been kayaking with us since they were about 2. They have always been properly outfitted the planned outing. They learned how to swim when very young and are both competition swimmers now. They have graduated from doubles to their singles. The point is, if you think you child will enjoy this activity, take into account all the above comments and get going.