Adventuring with Kids: How to get geared up for cold water paddling with Mathis Hargrove by Hargrove Adventures | Jan 12, 2022 | Family Zone, Featured Post, Fun, Fun 1, Instructional, jacksonkayak.com, JAdventures Main Banner, Kid's Kayaks, River Running, Team JK, Whitewater, Whitewater Feature, Whitewater Instruction, WW Disciplines | 1 comment HOW TO’S WITH THE HARGROVE CREW Mathis leads us in a video as he gets geared up in his cold gear layers, for a fun day of kayaking on the Nantahala River, in Bryson City, North Carolina. Staying warm and comfortable plays a huge part in having a GREAT DAY on the river. ABOUT THE RIVER The Nantahala is a class II-III family inclusive river run, with the 2013 ICF Freestyle World Championship Competition hole feature at the end. Endless play, and smiles fill our days, at our home away from home. ABOUT THE GEAR Having the right size kayak, coupled with properly fitting clothes, is essential for growing a love in the sport of whitewater kayaking. NRS currently provides numerous products for the youngest river enthusiast. Mathis is wearing the current Youth Rio Paddle Jacket. This jacket allows our young kayaker to keep paddling, even in colder weather, by providing a comfortable top layer that does not restrict his movement when in his kayak, or if he swims out of it. The NRS Rio Pants are also available for an additional layer of warmth and are used by Mathis on colder days. He is using the Vista Youth PFD in this video. This secure and US Coast Guard approved PFD gives us as parents confidence in his safety on the river, while allowing him to paddle in a lightweight jacket that is also durable. ABOUT THE BOAT Jackson Kayak provides many different sized boats, creating increased confidence in every person’s abilities on the water, as they go from learning the basics to increasing their tempo on higher classes of rivers and features. Mathis is paddling his Jackson Kayak Fun 1, which is the smallest whitewater kayak produced by Jackson Kayak. It provides the tiniest of paddlers an advantage of learning the basics of kayaking in a safe, stable, and easy to maneuver boat. Self-confidence and a positive experience are always at an all-time high as they learn to ferry, run rapids independently, and start basic freestyle tricks next to the rest of the family. The Sidekick is another smaller boat offered by Jackson Kayak. A fully outfitted river runner, the Sidekick is stable and forgiving for our smaller boaters. Our family uses this kayak when our kids want to run challenging rivers, or even compete in a down river race, but are not properly fitting in an Antix or a Zen. High volume and tall sidewalls help keep this boat upright, and moving downriver. Should your young adventurer flip upside-down, it is easy to roll, which keeps the stoke high. LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? Subscribe to our YouTube channel @Hargrove Adventures https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP7rdr3seXUCjMkbN7bj82A WANT TO JOIN US ON A HARGROVE ADVENTURE? Follow us on Instagram to learn about our different events @HargroveAdventures www.instagram.com/hargroveadventures 1 Comment Jean Wilson on January 16, 2022 at 2:28 pm It’s great to see you having so much fun on the water with your family, Mathis! Having the proper kayak and cold weather surely must help with your comfort and confidence level. Thanks for helping to share such great tips with the world and keep enjoying such a wonderful sport! Reply Submit a Comment Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Email * Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ
Jean Wilson on January 16, 2022 at 2:28 pm It’s great to see you having so much fun on the water with your family, Mathis! Having the proper kayak and cold weather surely must help with your comfort and confidence level. Thanks for helping to share such great tips with the world and keep enjoying such a wonderful sport! Reply
