LIFETIME Wave 60 Youth Kayak (Paddle Included), Yellow

Product Information

Whether or not your kid is ready for their own vessel will likely depend on their size, maturity and physical abilities rather than their age. But if your child is around the age of seven it might be a good time for them to learn on their own in a small vessel. Children’s kayaks need to be matched to the paddler’s size every bit as much as adult kayaks do. This typically means being narrower than 25 inches, sometimes as narrow as 20 inches. Children under 100 pounds find such kayaks plenty stable and much easier to control.

Kids should wear a life vest when kayaking and know how to swim. Some of the kayaks on our list are good for children as young as five or six years old. If you have kids younger than this that show an interest try bringing them on your kayak with you. Many kayaks have a jump seat for kids as well.This is also an ideal kayak for fishing purposes because it’s equipped with two flush-mounted fishing rod holders behind the seat.

But most kids simply aren’t going to be ready for 15-20 mile days in their kayak (at least when they’re just starting out). No matter what type of water you’re taking your kids paddling on, it’s recommended that your kids are under adult supervision at all times. Preferably, your kids should be accompanied on the water by an adult who has paddling experience and kayak safety training. Lessons can also help encourage kids into kayaking without pressure. It can also give more reluctant kids a chance to see other kids their age having fun on the water. If you are certain that your chosen lake or river is free of obstacles, you could go for an inflatable. This Lifetime Wave Youth 6-footer is one of the finest inexpensive kayaks for kids, which is a must for budget-conscious parents. It also comes with a paddle.Cupholders and storage compartments are also included with the MaxKare. It’s a little model that youngsters can handle on their own. There are grips on both sides of the MaxKare, in contrast to the front lifting handle, to make it simpler to pull or move it about. It’s easy to transfer to and from the shoreline, thanks to its 35-pound weight, front T-handle, and handy center carry handle. Beyond paddling skills, experience, and technique, stamina is another thing that shouldn’t be overlooked:

The Lifetime Wave 60 Youth kayak isn’t the only kid-friendly kayak on the market. Here’s how this durable parent-approved kayak compares to similar models. Many inexperienced kayakers fail to recognize the amount of work it takes just to get a kayak down to the water and ready to paddle. To ensure your 10-year-old has a positive experience, choose a kid-specific kayak that is six to eight feet long and weighs less than 30 pounds. This will allow your child to paddle and maneuver the kayak without becoming tired and frustrated. It also offers a total of 4.2 liters of storage space in the bow and stern tankwells (2.5 liters in the stern and 1.7 liters in the bow).The shape of the hull can be important when choosing kids’ kayaks, as different hull designs can have an effect on the stability. Flat hulls and more pontoon style hulls can provide good initial stability, known as primary stability, which can be ideal for kids on flat water. The most important design feature of the Lifetime Wave 60 Youth kayak is the flat, surfboard-like bottom—meant to enhance stability. The kayak’s modest, 24” width makes it easy to handle, even for smaller and younger paddlers. Stability is further increased by a reverse chine, a feature that essentially adds extra buoyancy at the perimeter of the hull, making it extremely resistant to capsizing.