By Claire de Rosenroll
White water kayaking, one of Canada’s fastest growing adult sports, is proving to be just as popular with the kids.
Down to Earth Kayak and Outdoor Adventure is the only company in the Ottawa area that offers kayak lessons to children as young as eight.
Last June, the company taught 25 kids for the first time. The courses were so popular, another 60 kids have already enrolled in classes for this summer. The company expects to teach at least 120 kids by the end of August.
Jen Gratto, who is ranked No. 3 in Canada for kayaking, is part owner.
She say the company started by offering adult courses, but kids programs may soon become more popular.
Most lessons are run on the Ottawa River near Lebreton Flats, a national training site where the Canadian National Slalom Kayak Team practices.
One advantage to this location, says Siobhan Wilson, co-owner of Down to Earth, is that “kids get to paddle with some of the best kayakers in the world and those people act as role models.”
Gratto says she makes the lessons as much fun and safe as possible. “The lessons start in flat water and we try and focus on making sure that the kids feel safe in the boat.”
Apart from kayaking, Gratto says she teaches kids other skills like how to work as a team and how to be a good leader.
“At the end of a one week course, if we wanted one kid to run an exercise, then he or she would be able to teach a move, step by step, to the rest of the group.”
Beginner’s lessons cost $125 for a four-day course. Afterwards, kids have the choice of joining a kayak program which allows them to paddle with an instructor up to four days a week. Roch Jeaurond, a kayak expert who works at Trailhead, says if people come looking for kids-only kayak programs they refer them to Down To Earth, though kids are welcome to join in with their adult kayak lessons.
“We know they do great work and their kids program is definitely a strong one,” he said.
Margaret Sommerville enrolled both her nine and 13-year-old sons with Down to Earth last summer.
The boys enjoyed kayaking so much they continued with lessons in the local pool over the winter.
“Down to Earth is really good with kids, they teach them a lot and they don’t talk down to them. They are very safety-conscious and they make it really fun,” she said.
Kayaking, though, is not only limited to the young set.
“I would recommend it to everyone no matter how young or old they are,” says Sommerville’s son, Jamie Cutts, 13.
As for the future of kids and kayaking, Gratto says it’s more than just a business, it’s also her biggest passion.
“Watching kids fall in love with the sport the way I did leaves me with the greatest satisfaction. I love my job.”