Kids Kayaking in Calgary? Is that even a thing? Can kids kayak? All questions we here at AQ Outdoors / Aquabatics are often asked. Our quick and passionate answer is a resounding heck yes!
Calgary provides plentiful high quality and convenient places to kayak with your kids, and although our summers are somewhat short, with the right gear and instruction you can paddle comfortably from April until October.
From exploring nature in the city on Glenmore Reservoir to weekend trips to the most beautiful of alpine lakes, camping from a kayak (yep, that is a thing) to kids whitewater kayaking at all levels, kayaking in and around Calgary is as varied as it is exciting.
Kids Kayaking in Calgary
- WHY KAYAKING FOR KIDS? THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES!
- BUT I DON'T KAYAK, CAN MY KIDS STILL TRY IT?
- IS KAYAKING SAFE FOR KIDS?
- AT WHAT AGE CAN MY KIDS START TO KAYAK?
- WHAT ARE MY KIDS KAYAK COURSE OPTIONS?
- WHERE TO KAYAK WITH KIDS IN AND AROUND CALGARY
- KIDS KAYAK SUMMER CAMPS IN CALGARY
- CLUBS AND CALGARY RESOURCES
- KIDS KAYAKING IN CALGARY SUMMARY
WHY KAYAKING FOR KIDS? THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES!
I myself have 3 kids and am impressed (and sometimes overwhelmed) by the options for youth activities in and around Calgary. So the question is: why kids kayaking?
Kayaking is a fantastic way to get outside and to play in the great outdoors, it builds strength, flexibility, river safety and awareness skills, overall physical literacy and is a really great social environment for both kids and parents.
It is hard to emphasize the water safety skills kayaking can teach. In a professional, well taught Kids Kayaking Program, river safety and awareness is a recurring theme. It sets the kids up super well for being in and around rivers as they grow up and become more independent.
As kids kayaking in Calgary grows in popularity (which it is), there are more and more recreational and competitive opportunities available. Every year there are more kids attending kayak festivals, lessons tailored for younger paddlers, and river gatherings with kids taking over the river. Alberta & Calgary are also privileged to be host to competitive programs and events for kids of all levels to take part in including slalom racing, canoe polo and freestyle competitions. While the cost and commitment can ramp up quickly on the competitive side of sports, and you can reach the world stage from Alberta, kayaking tends to stay rooted in its laid back fun first atmosphere where kids support each other to do their best.
BUT I DON'T KAYAK, CAN MY KIDS STILL TRY IT?
They sure can. AQ Outdoors / Aquabatics runs kayak programs for kids from 6 years old and up. There are also a number of beginner and kid friendly clubs in the area. It is a vibrant, active and social community where many of the parents are not yet paddlers. In saying that, a high percentage of non-paddling parents do take it up as their kids begin and continue to progress.
IS KAYAKING SAFE FOR KIDS?
Like any sport, there are certainly hazards involved in kayaking -- this is an accurate statement for both adults and kids alike. However, with the correct oversight and guidance, kayaking on rivers and lakes is incredibly safe and an amazing way to engage with nature, keep kids off screens and create real self-esteem and friendships.
AT WHAT AGE CAN MY KIDS START TO KAYAK?
Our kids were in kayaks, rafts and SUPs before they were a year old. So, there are safe ways to get them out on the water at the youngest of ages. Our kids kayaking courses start at 5 years of age and go all the way through to late teens and then onto our adult programs.
WHAT ARE MY KIDS KAYAK COURSE OPTIONS?
Micro Groms Program (5 - 8 years olds)
A weekly, fun and safe 1 hour on the water program that introduces young kids to kayaking. We use fun games, lots of swimming and high energy sessions to organically introduce them to basic paddling skills, boat control and water safety. This program starts on the lake and winds up in late summer on the slow moving water of the Bow River where the kids get their first taste of moving water.
Super Grom Program (9 - 13 year olds)
A year round program (weekly in summer and monthly in winter) for older kids looking to continue in their whitewater kayaking progression. We utilize locations in and around Calgary to slowly progress this age group's whitewater skills.
Through this program we work on more technical whitewater kayak techniques, river safety and awareness, leadership, decision making and much more. At this age group we also do monthly full day trips to explore different rivers and provide exciting challenges on the rivers of Alberta.
Teen Program (14 - 19 year olds)
Run in a similar format to the Super Grom Program, it is simply geared to older, stronger kids. As paddlers progress through this program we focus again on technical development, explore competitive disciplines (for those interested), look at how to instruct (this can be a great summer job in the future) and a huge focus on safety and mature decision making.
If a full season program is not for your kid(s) we offer 3 - 5 day summer kayak camps for ages 7 - 18 throughout the summer. These can be a great way to try paddlesports and then, if people want to pursue it further, a great conduit into the Grom and Teen Calgary Kayak programs.
WHERE TO KAYAK WITH KIDS IN AND AROUND CALGARY
We are blessed with many safe and fun places to kayak with kids in and around Calgary. You can find most of them on our paddling location app and website paddlingmaps.com.
If you are new to paddling look for small, sheltered lakes where weather (particularly wind) is not going to cause any great problems. Little alpine lakes like Wedge Pond or Forgetmenot Pond in Kananaskis are an ideal place to play around in kayaks.
On a windless day, Glenmore Reservoir offers a location in town to get out on the water. It is a bigger body of water so check the weather before heading out. If you do find yourself in hazardous conditions the City of Calgary operates a safety boat.
As you and your kids get more experience, the Bow River in Calgary offers a number of different sections of river from mild to very challenging. The man made Harvies Passage whitewater course is where many of our aspiring kid whitewater kayak paddlers spend many hours honing their paddling skills.
Beyond that there are countless places to paddle in and around Calgary. As you get more experience and skill, the options just grow!
KIDS KAYAK SUMMER CAMPS IN CALGARY
AQ Outdoors / Aquabatics offer 2 - 5 day long summer camps for aspiring kayakers. These programs are offered for paddlers from 8 - 18 years old. In the kayak courses we teach basic skills, river safety, on water decision making and so much more.
Kids in these summer camp style programs are also able to try Stand Up Paddleboarding for a day to give them a well-rounded river/lake experience. At the end of these programs many paddlers join our long-term skill development programs as either Micro Groms, Super Groms or Teen club paddlers.
These programs are run by nationally and internationally certified instructors with many years of experience teaching whitewater kayaking.
Youth 5 Day Kayaking Summer Camp | Teen 5 Day Kayaking Summer Camp | Youth 2 Day Kayaking Summer Camp
CLUBS AND CALGARY RESOURCES
As mentioned earlier in this post, there are lots of great clubs, organizations and resources in and around Calgary. Please see some brief description and links to these resources below:
AQ Outdoors / Aquabatics: Full Service Paddlesports Store and Instructional Program
Waterwerks Kayak Club: Youth and Family focused Kayak Club
Paddle Junkies Kayak Club: Beginner and Intermediate focused Kayak Club
Alberta Slalom Canoe and Kayak: Provide whitewater slalom lessons for all levels
Alberta Playboaters League: Club with a focus on freestyle paddling
Paddling Maps: Maps and information on paddling in Alberta and around the world.
Alberta Whitewater Association: Provincial governing body for whitewater paddling.
Bow Valley Kayak Club: A beginner and intermediate friendly club in Canmore.
KIDS KAYAKING IN CALGARY SUMMARY
There are so many great options for kids kayaking in Calgary. Whether you have some experience or none, there are lots of great programs and organizations working hard to get kids out on the water in a super fun and safe manner in our city.
Related Kids Paddling and PFD Articles
Level Six Stingray and Puffer Kids PFDs Review
Best Kids PFDs and Life Jackets
For more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at any of the contact methods below.
AQ Outdoors / Aquabatics Calgary
1-877-440-9283
