SFR Teaching Your Kid to Row

Sorta fishing-related
Long_Rod_Silvers

Long_Rod_Silvers

Elder Millennial
Forum Supporter
Curious if anyone has gone thru the process of teaching their kid how to row (both stillwater and moving) and if so, any tips on things that worked well or things that didn't? Open to input from those who've actually gone thru the process. Emphasizing 'process' because I'm fully aware that it will take a considerable amount of time to do things safely (emphasizing safety here). But...the sooner I get the learning curve going the sooner dad will have someone to row him down the river in a few years. 😬
 
Long_Rod_Silvers said:
Curious if anyone has gone thru the process of teaching their kid how to row (both stillwater and moving) and if so, any tips on things that worked well or things that didn't? Open to input from those who've actually gone thru the process. Emphasizing 'process' because I'm fully aware that it will take a considerable amount of time to do things safely (emphasizing safety here). But...the sooner I get the learning curve going the sooner dad will have someone to row him down the river in a few years. 😬
Click to expand...

I'm someone's kid...
...so you can teach me to row?

but seriously. how olds your kid? We talking 4 year old?
 
mcswny said:
but seriously. how olds your kid? We talking 4 year old?
Click to expand...
Good question. The oldest one is turning 10 this year. He's the one I'm thinking about mostly. He's into pretty much everything outdoors related. Wanting to foster that by getting him into some new things (like learning to row).

Also have a 7 and 4 year old, but not really thinking about them as much since they either show no interest in boating/outdoors (7 yo daughter) or are still too young to follow basic instructions that would have me concerned about safety (4 yo son).
 
Long_Rod_Silvers said:
Good question. The oldest one is turning 10 this year. He's the one I'm thinking about mostly. He's into pretty much everything outdoors related. Wanting to foster that by getting him into some new things (like learning to row).

Also have a 7 and 4 year old, but not really thinking about them as much since they either show no interest in boating/outdoors (7 yo daughter) or are still too young to follow basic instructions that would have me concerned about safety (4 yo son).
Click to expand...

Besides being kick ass, my 4 year old is also useless.
 
Definitely start on a a small lake or pond were no wakeboarders are buzzing all over. Start with safety talk, life jacket is mandatory! Then give basic instruction on how to row and demonstrate, let him at it with you there first then by himself, but have another craft near by if possible, nothing better than trial by fire.
 
mcswny said:
I'm someone's kid...
...so you can teach me to row?

but seriously. how olds your kid? We talking 4 year old?
Click to expand...
Was gonna say this also, I've always wanted to learn to row/float a river but it's a bit intimidating to start.
 
I think I taught my son around 10 to row on still water. He didn't have much stick time, but, on a trip to Chopaka one year I let him loose in a personal water craft and he did just fine. He hasn't been on moving water. But, 14 years later, I think he could learn just fine.
 
I was helping my buddy learn to row recently in my drifter. We get to camp, and he's "Phil was yelling at me, row that way, no other left", but he was smiling so I think I did ok. Probably want to yell less at your own kid...

He would also say, I see that rock up ahead - trying to reassure me. I don't think he liked me asking, so why are we still heading toward it? So, probably less sarcasm with your own kid...

I'd like to have more people who can row me while I fish, too.
 
Like Brian said, start out with lots of time on a pond first. Once he is comfortable, set him loose to row around on his own. As he demonstrates ability and stamina, move up to bigger ponds/small lakes. Get him out in some wind and teach him about rowing and staying safe in the wind Borrow another boat and do some fun things like races and obstacles. When he’s ready, get him on some sloowwww moving water and let him learn what current can do. As his strength, reflexes and attention span allow, coach him and let him row increasingly more difficult water. Don’t push him and just let him have fun and progress at his own pace.
 
Definitely start in a small lake, let them mess around to get a feel for it and build coordinations. My son was about 10 when rowed us around, he'd rather do that than fish.
 
I started mine like I started as a kid. Small lakes in a rubber raft. Kayaks and canoes as well as row boats. Floating slow rivers next.
 
Chadk said:
I started mine like I started as a kid. Small lakes in a rubber raft. Kayaks and canoes as well as row boats. Floating slow rivers next.
Click to expand...
He's getting to be adequate on the kayak. Next step is probably like @Kfish did and let him get the feel for a bigger boat and row around the lake on a calm morning or evening and get the feel for a bigger boat and heavier oars.
 
I learned to row, and my kids learned to row, by sitting in the rower's seat with oars in hand. All of us started around age 10. Relatively quickly muscle memory developed so that we could all get from A to B without thinking about it, like putting more oomph into right oar or left to correct a small deviation, etc. A hull with no keel, like a drifter, teaches fine adjustments pretty quickly.
 
Well you could take all that good advice, or you could just get on a raft in a river and sit him in the rower’s seat and let him bounce off stuff. That’s how I learned to row. Though I might recommend something a little mellower than the Grand Canyon as a starting point.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top