Getting your kids into surfing – keeping things fun

As parents who surf (or participate in any other type of watersport for that matter) the ‘dream’ is to pass on this stoke to your kids, encourage them to take up said sport and hopefully nurture a world champion. The latter might be quite difficult – although not impossible. It’s much more feasible, however, to encourage your groms to get involved – if you take things easy.

Start ‘em young

It’s a cliché and an over used term but ‘start ‘em young’ does ring true. As wee nippers there are much less confidence issues surrounding learning a new skill. As adults we become ever more self-conscious about failing – which is actually just our own mind telling us this. No one actually cares.

As a child though this isn’t even on the radar. But how young should you start them off? It’s a tricky question and based entirely on the personality of the child in question. Environment will also come into play. Forget trying to teach your kids to surf in the UK’s winter. It’s just too cold and will put them off for life. Heading overseas to warmer climes would work much better.

We hear of some kids who’ve started surfing as young as two. If yours isn’t one of these then don’t despair. There’s plenty of time. Some don’t become fully immersed until much older. It’s all about (literally) testing the water. If your sprogs are water confident then encourage them to have a splash about. If they’re happy then you could introduce some ‘equipment’. Bodyboards can be good for this.

Keep it fun

When we say ‘teach your kids to surf’ it’s not a case of chucking them out and expecting instant pop ups, dynamic bottom turns and ripping lips. Kids want fun and if that equates to running up and down boards, jumping into the water and playing on dribbles then so be it. Whatever you do don’t force the issue.

Without wanting to sound like ‘elf ‘n’ safety’ you should also keep an eye hazards or potential for things to go awry. These are, after all, kids and you want to keep them safe and sound. The correct water wear will help for a start (check out NCW’s extensive range of kiddy friendly wetsuits and aqua apparel). But also keep an eye on other areas – we hardly need point this is out but it’s water you’re playing in…

In time your wee ones will most likely develop the skills to take surfing on for themselves. It could spawn a lifelong addiction – as it does with many of us. Likewise it may only become a weekend or holiday pastime. Whatever type of surfer your little heads turn out to be take comfort in the fact that you’ve given them the opportunity and exposure to something healthy and fun. Which path they then choose is up to them.