Canadian Boating February 2024 - 30

Give them power to help... and to
wash!
Same lake, same day, but somehow
much more fun swimming in the
middle instead of off the dock like
usual.
3. IT'S (SUPPOSED
TO BE) FUN
Now that you're safe you can focus on the
good times! This is where things get really
personalized depending on your child's
personality. I've heard tales of well-behaved
children sitting quietly and reading
or doing puzzles aboard their boat. I've
yet to see it so I'm full-on calling that a
myth for now.
The good news, if you have an active
child as we do with our son, is that you're
already immersed in a world conducive to
exercise and fun.
Canoeing is good, but we found that
kayaking had a greater pick-up of interest.
Probably because there's total control and
it seems busier than seemingly leisurely
paddles with a parent steering.
Fishing can be hit or miss with kids
from my experience. It's either the most
fun and they are all but addicted to it or
totally disinterested. If you keep it fun and
non-competitive, and - like being around
the boat - slowly let them do more themselves,
this can be amazing. Let them
touch then handle fish, bait a hook, or pick
their own lures (let them pick the " wrong
one " ! It's about the act not the result at this
age and they will learn what lands fish and
what's just fun to drag around the water).
Swimming of course, is a natural but one
that can be surprisingly rare. Sometimes
people think it's too much work on a
smaller boat to bring towels, things will
get wet and now we have to find somewhere
to anchor - and you should do that
because boats drift and unless someone
remains on board that is always a concern.
Well, it's a boat, it can get wet and the little
bit of effort leads to lifelong memories.
Sunset swims in a quiet bay or cannonballs
off a WaveRunner instead of off the
dock, are scientifically proven to be super
fun.
If you use your boat to explore different
destinations whether it be long journeys or
day trips into town, throw bikes, scooters
or rollerblades in with you. Sure, they take
up space but they give you a great activity
and a fun way to explore further. It never
feels like it's in the way if it's useful!
The bottom line is, kids around the
world survive and thrive in much smaller
spaces with far fewer entertainment
options. Even though it can be a shockingly
sparse landscape to a kid used to
multiscreen homes full of toys and playdates,
it's a new world of adventures to go
on, fun to have, and memories to make.
I can even remember the smell of those
yellow lifejackets as the summer sun beat
down on them, the worth of them on my
arms folded across to hold it as I watched
the wake curl off the old Johnson outboard
as we raced across the water. I wonder
what my son's first boating memory
will be?
e careful ou ma create a fihing fanatic
and be begged to spend hours out on the
water...on a small boat... just with you.
30 CANADIAN BOATING | FEBRUARY 2024
Canadian Boating February 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Boating February 2024
