I’ve got a photo somewhere of the first time I ran a river, on a tire tube. All of 8-9 years old. I still remember the exhilaration of bouncing through rapids. I can’t say that I caught the bug from this experience but the outdoors environment set me up for many challenging adventures even till today, 40 years alter
1983 Wangapeka river
Family rafting on the Clarence river, steamer wetsuits make for happy kids enjoying the water.
Running rivers or any water travel has the similar effect on most folk young or old regardless of boat type. I paddled plastic kayaks for over a decade but inflatable boats have always been my thing, after commercially rafting for 12 years and 20 years paddling inflatable kayaks, isat in a packraft for the first time, 5 years ago. My opinion is they are a great way to introduce kids to the virtues of river running.
I discovered packrafting when my eldest was 9 but by then I had already taken all 3 of my kids rafting regularly. One trip in particular early spring on a higher altitude run. It started off great until it started to snow, all 3 at 8,6 and 2 were all crying at the same time, that was probably the lowest we got family boating. Now they all love the river having had Mum and Dad drag them on Summer river holidays ever since, Mainly to the mecca of Murchison and the amazing natures playground of the Buller river and slowly introducing smaller and more independent boats as their confidence grows and they feel more comfortable w full sized river kit.
Kids love the independence of solo boats.
Packrafting requires a bit more confidence than the big rubber bus but not much more. I highly recommend letting your kids experience the joy of river travel without the need for focusing on technical skills initially. Start in packrafts on lakes or even the swimming pool. Let them feel the resilience of inflatable boats and how stable they are. Let them experience the tranquillity of floating or drifting with the flow before the learning really begins.
Zoe (at 12) on the Selwyn river in Canterbury.
That tranquillity is real. My kids in their first river trips even as toddlers were quick to nod off on board in the arms of mum or tucked into the hatch of a sea kayak. It’s worth considering for the first couple of outings. A larger packraft will have plenty of room for 2 adults and a dozing toddler on a float trip. But a single is also stable enough with a pre-schooler on dads or mums lap in easy white water.
My tips for the most amount of harmony taking kids on river trips are;
Safety. Don’t run class 3 with any children not having experienced class 2. Keep smaller children between adults legs in any rapid. Yes of course, wear correctly fitting life jackets and helmets on white water. Conversely don’t let uncomfortable equipment on still or moving water prevent kids from enjoying getting familiar with water travel. The pictures here of my children without helmets are on a class 1 river. Also a picture of the first time Eddy paddled solo in a packraft on a 100m section of moving water at age 4 ( a section he has swum before) in only a wetsuit.
Eddy (at 4) getting a feel for the packraft
Warmth. If a kid is shivering they won’t be enjoying themselves so take lots of layers of thermals and windproof clothing . A steamer wetsuit is the best warmth for a kid of any age and cheaply picked up on used forums/platforms. Conversely, in the peak of Summer protection from the glarey sun and sunburn is essential and keeping cool. Wide brimmed hats. Don’t disregard some sturdy footwear for the river bank environment.
Energy levels. A hungry kid is also a grumpy kid, it’s not rocket science. Take heaps of food and snacks. Keep them accessible, keep offering them. This is not the time to be concerned about sugary treats (unless for dietary reasons) sugar will bring your princess or prince from the depths of despair back to enjoying themselves in a matter of minutes. Thank Gawd for jelly snakes!
Leithan (at 10)
Plan the shuttle. Is the shuttle going to mean kids will be sheltered from the elements, provide some entertainment and get them in dry clothes the fastest. Kids aren’t going to be eager to go boating again if they had to sit on the side of the road for an hour, cold, getting bitten by mozzies/sand-flies/midges and wait for the shuttle.
Zoe (13) Leithan (11) on the Buller River
In this tech fuelled age packrafting is a fantastic medium to open your children's eyes to the wonderment of the great outdoors without the need for heaps of technical skill, massive physical exertion and enjoyment with family and friends.
The Hollyford- Pyke packrafting loop Film above is the culmination for Zoe of running rivers in packrafts since she was 9 (but first full size rafted since 6). I was initially quite anxious as if she would have had the physical stamina for an extended trip of lake and river paddling and also 2 days solid hiking in pretty rugged terrain.
Like any longer trip plenty of prep was required and Zoe willingly assisted with that, another important part of outdoor education. There was one big class 3-4 Rapid to portage but also boat portages to the huts from the water. I did 80% of these for her and leashed our boats together on the lakes so we wouldn’t get seperated, I lightly assisted there, on the whole though Zoe did exceptionally well. For me the stand out proud dad moments were the big physical effort of the coastal hike, negotiation through the drowned tree mazes on both rivers, assisting with lighting the fire, helping with meal preparation and transitioning from hiker to boater and back.
A level of maturity in my oldest that I hadn’t seen before. This is the result of mother nature's education not heaps but enough so my kids now understand the value of rivers, waterways, forests and mountains. I hope this knowledge will serve them into the future and sculpt good people. Packrafting and river running in general is one of the most rewarding family activities. Give it a try, a family that plays together stays together.
