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PFD
FITTING TIPS FOR KIDS:
Life Vests for kids are sized based on the weight of the child. Each life vest is printed with a weight range. There are three basic sizes. 0-30 pounds, 30-50 pounds, 50-90 pounds. From there kids move up to "adult" sizes such as "youth", extra small, and so forth, based on fit and chest size. The weight range is printed on the inside of the back panel of the PFD. You will have to look carefully to find it among all the other "legal warnings" and notices. It is not printed in bold letters, so you may wish to take a marker and write the weight range in a more readable way, when you write your family name in it. Many kid size life vests are quite affordable, so there is no need to purchase a size too large and let the child "grow into it". In fact a wrong size, ill-fitting, PFD for a child is dangerous & will be considered "no PFD" by the marine patrol and you could get a ticket. Be aware of the weight of the children who will be kayaking and have PFDs checked for size and ready before you get to the water. You may want to consider having a few extra, in assorted sizes, for your kid's friends and for your growing children. This way you will always be prepared with the right size for the right kid. |
Sit-on-top Kayak Summer Camp for California Youth
Article & photos courtesy Kayak 4 Kidz Directors: Frankie Smith, Gay Brewer & Lorraine Johnson
Kayaks
4 Kidz™ is a youth development program endeavoring to improve health
and well being through participation in water (paddle) sports. Located
at Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey, California, this Youth Water
Sports Camp is offered as a free community service to boys and girls ages
7 to 17 and their families from June through September.
The half-day summer camp provides instruction in the basic fundamentals
of sit-on-top kayaking, including: boat handling, equipment care, water
safety and navigation rules, paddling techniques; capsize recovery, proper
use of safety gear, environmental awareness and LA County Lifeguard Association
beach safety techniques.
Kayaks
4 Kidz is the brainchild of veteran “Water Dogs” Frankie Smith
and Gay Brewer who have been active in water sports and recreational boating
for over 25 years and who received extensive training and certification
from the US Coast Guard Auxiliary for Boating Skills and Seamanship along
with continuing education classes with the UCLA Marine Aquatics Program.
The concept of the program grew from their passion and love for kayaking,
swimming and boating and their desire to share this experience with their
own children and their friends and others interested in learning to kayak.
In
2004 Smith and Brewer began purchasing used kayaks and safety gear to
accommodate the growing popularity of their weekend paddling excursions
in Marina del Rey. The comment from a grandchild after a day on the water
– “with all these boats you should start a class,” sparked
their decision to offer classes in kayaking so that lots of youngsters
and their families could also learn the sport as a way of staying fit
and enjoying the great outdoors together. (photo: Instructor/director
"Mr. Waterdog" presenting the certificate of completion to a
student)
Their collaborative efforts, with the help of family, friends and volunteers, formally shaped the program which has been in operation since 2005. Now in its fourth year of free classes, the program has graduated over 600 students from the Introduction to Kayaking classes held at Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey Lagoon.
In 2007, the Kayaks 4 Kidz program received their certification from the Internal Revenue Service and the State of California as a tax-exempt, nonprofit, public benefit corporation. The program’s Board of Directors consists of Frankie Smith, Gay Brewer and Lorraine M. Johnson.
The
Kayaks 4 Kidz™ mission is to promote healthier minds and bodies through
physical exercise while developing the cumulative benefits from sports
participation such as self-esteem, leadership, increased physical strength,
confidence, team building skills, cooperation and respect for our environment
and each other.
SUMMER CLASSES run 9:30 am to 1:30 pm on Sundays and are FREE, but Pre Registration is required. They are held at Mother's Beach at Marina del Rey Lagoon. (Palawan Avenue & Admiralty Way Next to Casa Escobar Restaurant)
Introduction to Kayaking
Each 3-hour workshop will cover:· Basic fundamentals of sit-on-top kayaking
· Introduction to recreational boating, beach and water safety
· Rules of navigation and boating courtesy
· Paddling techniques, strokes and capsize recovery
· Proper safety gear and equipment careEquipment used: A variety of ocean-rated Kayaks with adjustable seats - designed for youthful boaters. U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets and paddles.
All equipment is provided by Kayaks 4 Kidz ™ Class Instructors are U.S. Coast Guard and American Canoe Association certified water sports and boating safety instructors, and master swimmers
For a current
calendar of classes go to: www.kayaks4kidz.com.
For Information and Registration Forms E-mail: nolimitspr@ca.rr.com or
Call Gay Brewer at 323-298-2060
Sponsorship:
Kayaks 4 Kidz™ is a registered 501 Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation
which relies solely on support from the donations and contributions of
parents and interested members of the Southern California community.
Branding and advertising sponsorships are available for companies and organizations committed to fighting national health concerns such as obesity and juvenile diabetes, improving environmental awareness and youth development through amateur sports participation.
Kayaks
4 Kidz™ is a member of the American Canoe Association, US Boating
Association and certified by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary for Boating
Safety and Seamanship.
For additional
information visit: www.kayaks4kidz.com,
contact via e-mail at nolimitspr@ca.rr.com or by phone at: 323.778-2277
- 323.298.2060 - 310.562.8597.
More articles :
- Kayaking with Kids: A Practical Guide To Kayaks, Gear & Having Fun Paddling With Your Children
- Deep Water Re-entry w/ Children
- Artist Boat of Galveston, Texas Opening The Eyes of Our Youth For Tomorrow
- Introducing Children To Kayak Fishing by Mike Kogan
LIFE JACKETS - PFDs can be found at:
Tom's TopKayaker Shop: Quality PFDs for Children & Infants
BOOKS:
PADDLING
WITH KIDS By Bruce Lessels and Karen Blom
See
also "SIT-ON-TOP KAYAKING, A BEGINNER'S GUIDE" & "TANDEM SIT-ON-TOP
KAYAKING" by Tom Holtey
CHILDREN'S PADDLES can be found at:
