What Age can my Children do Slalom Canoeing?

Slalom canoeing is a demanding sport.  It takes strength, stamina and courage to complete a course and encouraging children to head down a slalom canoe course before they’re ready could be dangerous. Although it’s worth waiting a little while before investing specifically in this branch of canoeing, your child can have plenty of fun on the water beforehand to build their confidence and muscle power that will put them in good stead for when they’re ready for a slalom canoeing club.

Here is a rough guide of what you can do with your children at certain ages to prepare them for and then introduce them to the fantastic sport of slalom canoeing.

3-6 Years

It’s never too early to take your child out on a canoe or kayak. The love for water often develops over time, and if they experience the sensations and emotions linked to the sport from a young age, they’re more likely to love it as they get older. 

Of course, at this stage, they will be with you on the canoe, and you will be paddling because, when they’re this young age, they will not have the size, strength, or coordination to make it happen; however, they can place their hands on your arms and feel the motion and pattern of moving the paddle. Taking a young child out is perfectly safe if you take appropriate precautions, such as ensuring everybody on board is wearing a safety jacket, the water is calm, and somebody else knows you have gone out onto the water.

Another great sport to develop the skills they’ll need is swimming. Taking your child to lessons will build strength and water confidence in preparation for the rapids. 

7-9 Years

At around the age of 7, and especially if your child has been taking regular swimming lessons, they may be ready to head out on a kayak alone, with close adult supervision, or join a flatwater canoe club. They should be able to paddle independently and, over time, will improve in skill because they have had the time to explore it in a fun environment. 

Age 9 and above

At the age of 9, children have developed physically and have reached the maturity to begin training at a local slalom canoe club, and this is the age at which most will accept juniors. At this stage, they will start on flat water to ensure they are ready and safe before gradually introducing them to a slalom course. 

Even from 9, it’ll take a while for your child to get used to slalom canoeing. It’ll take time to learn the skills involved in the sport and be able to successfully manoeuvre themselves through gates and from one side of the course to the other. Children also cannot compete until they are around this age because they won’t have the time to improve.

However, once they do get the hang of it, and if they find a love for it, and with regular training, they will fly at the sport very quickly and maybe progress through the talent pathway to train and compete at higher levels.

Photo by Roland Chanson