C-Forum

Just a quick note to check in and see if anyone might be up for putting together a "Week of Rivers" anchored on either end by the Armada.

With our first-born due in late June, earlier is better for me than later... and I want to get some paddling in while I can, as there is no telling how long I'll be stuck off the water.

When is it save to take the baby boating? Anyone making a PFD that has baby carrier integrated? What's safer, the chest thing or the backpack? Or would it be best to integrate a car seat mount into the floor of the OC in front of my saddle?

Hope to enjoy a last hurrah with you this spring,
David

David:

I haven't taken any of mine in a car seat, but my oldest rode in the bow of our C-2 during a slalom race when he was about 20 months. He called out the numbers of the gates as we paddled through them to make sure that Daddy did them in order. He's 13 now and races C-1 slalom.

John

Hey John, that's so cool

David, I guess it depends on how comfortable you & more importantly, your wife is on the water. I've had a little baby in the bow of my OC-2 on flatwater. Just wrap 'em up & stick 'em in the bow so they don't roll around

As for a week of rivers, If I can get into better shape between now & then, I'm thinking of doing the General Clinton again. It's 70 miles of flatwater from Cooperstown to Bainbridge, NY. That's on Memorial Day. The two times that I've done it, I've not wanted to paddle much right afterwards. http://www.canoeregatta.org/

I'm hoping we can do some squirt boating the Friday before the Armada. I've GOT to get in the Maven

The 1st weekend in June, there's a whitewater race on the Rappahannock in Fredericksburg, VA. I'm thinking of Friday & Saturday at the Armada (assuming that the Armada will be June 5-6), then doing the race on the way home Sunday. http://grwcr.org/index.htm

Mike W. wrote:Hey John, that's so cool

David, I guess it depends on how comfortable you & more importantly, your wife is on the water.

Most definatley.My OC-2 paddlin partner and I started taking his boy out on mellow I-II trips at 22mths.He and the wife had been paddling together a bit before,but now she'd rather just let us take him(he's 6 now,gave him his 1st paddle for his B-day)
They still paddle together some,but She's not really into it anymore.
I wonder if a 6yr old could paddle a prelude?
I think his Dad's been talkin about getting him a yak soon,but I'm tryin to talk him out of it.
Anyone make a kid's C-1?

I've had them in open boats on flat water from when they could sit up on their own (6-months?) and on to mild whitewater by 3 or 4 years. I took my son down the Nantahala when he was just about to turn 5. When they're real little, just get those PFDs with the crotch straps and dress them warmer than yourself. And don't let a 5 year old operate the bilge pump

so you can reel him in.

My kids were in boats on flat water before they can remember.

I can remember being camped on a sand bar with 2 other couples while our little boys played with the canoe in a riffle and pool; jumping in the water, tipping the boat over. climbing back in, climbing on top. It is a wonderful thiing for them to do.
Chris Kelly

I hope to paddle after cheat fest. Let me know what you have on the table.