Hi. I’m new here. Yes, I did a search I’ve got a specific question. I’m looking to get a big board to take my daughters out on (one at a time). One is 3, the other almost 5. I simply want to get them on a board with me to paddle around and catch little waves. I took my oldest out on a SUP when we were last in Hawaii and we got a ton of little waves on the south shore - she loved it. I’ve been thinking I could go the SUP route, but was wondering if it is possible to do this on a longboard. Maybe something 10’+. Ideally, this would be a usable board when surfing without the kid. I’m more of a shortboarder than a longboarder though, so I’m not sure how well this would work.
Any thoughts on this? Recommendation for the style of board? I was thinking a pig might work well, given the nose is a bit more narrow and she could get her arms around the sides. A noserider would have more float up front, where I expect her to be sitting while I paddle and catch the waves (yes, I’ll be standing up too). Would love to hear if there are boards that would work for this. Thanks.
I’ve had good luck taking my 8 year old (now 9) tandem on either a 9’6" longboard (not a traditional log nor an HP longboard - somewhere right in between) as well as an 8’ Wavestorm. I’m 165lbs and she is/was about 60lbs and the float was about right on both for us to stand up and ride together.
I have taken both my daughters out on my mal,one at a time of course. It’s 9’4" X 23" and enough volume for us both to paddle into & catch wee waves! I found they were fine up until about 3 and a half - 4 years old 35-40lb’s The age of my youngest now! My eldest at 6 progressed from my mal by herself in the mush to her own grom board this summer. The pic was taken last year with me pushing her on the mal towards the beach in the mush! I would go for a big old 10’ 6" log. Slanj
sup or longboard works to stand up together choice is up to you
you can use a shortboard or even a boogie board and just hang on to the back of the board (sort of bodysurf while holding onto the board) to keep it stable enough for the little ones to stand up by themselves
my girls are similar in ages and the youngest one is scared but the older one was running headlong into the ocean as soon as she could walk. at 5 this year she stood up by herself for the first time (on a 8’ mini log). she also loves the surf raft she can catch waves by herself really easily on it. i made her a little custom twin fin but she prefers the $10 canvas raft ha!
If you take a kid that does not like water into the Surf Zone you are going to F’ up that kid for a long while…
My 5 year old grandson loves water…swimming in the pool is awesome !!!
My 7 year old grandson is scared to death in a 3 foot pool. Rattled just getting his tummy wet. Please do not take the kids past their comfort zone…water safety is a big deal with me…don’t freak out the little kids for your own ego…I love teaching kids to swim…but each kid has a different pace…Ray
Sorry to be a stick in the mud, but why would you do this?
A 4 or 5 year old doesn’t have the swimming ability or the impact resistance for lack of a better word that is needed to ride waves. At 4 or 5 years old, kids are still strapped into car seats! Seriously, I’ve broken bones on a mishap on a 4 foot wave. Really playing with fire on this one. Please think it over and keep to soft craft in the very near shore area until at least a few more years. And it doesn’t matter how good you are, it is also the other guy that you have to watch out for.
Thanks for the concerns around safety guys, but my oldest daughter and I have been going in the water for over a year. She started body boarding and I’ve been teaching her water safety since before that. For her age, she is a solid swimmer - she swims (freestyle) the length of a pool. She can hold her breath for about 20 seconds. She’s young, but I’ve been working with her in the water for a while. She loves the water - can’t stay away from it. She loves going out on the SUP. We’ve had plenty of wipe outs, which are her favorite part. I’m the first person who thinks about her safety. To each their own though, so if it isn’t your thing… no worries.
A Nice 10 foot board like the Hobie Peter Pan woul be a good choice. Have fun with your kids enjoy this time with them. No advice on safty from me you sound like a guy that wouldn’t push you child or put your child in harms way.
for all you out there with young ones you can surf with
" Surfing Fathers are just like regular Fathers only Cooler." Aloha
Great pic Pierre! All points regarding safety taken onboard! Not a problem with other folk in the water, the only other person out when my eldest is surfing is me, so other users not a problem. She’ll be 7 on her next Bday, She learned to swim before she learned to cycle a bike, always loved the water & confident in the sea. She can swim like a selkie. I had my first windsurfing race/regatta when i was 11 & was sailing solo in Findhorn bay in wee dinghy’s before that. Start em young i say, as long as it’s safe, they enjoy it & aren’t feart. It was a special moment watching her face light up standing up on that board for the first time! It will forever be etched in my mind. Slanj
I’ve got a specific question. I’m looking to get a big board to take my daughters out on (one at a time). One is 3, the other almost 5. I simply want to get them on a board with me to paddle around and catch little waves. I took my oldest out on a SUP when we were last in Hawaii and we got a ton of little waves on the south shore - she loved it. I’ve been thinking I could go the SUP route, but was wondering if it is possible to do this on a longboard. Maybe something 10’+. Ideally, this would be a usable board when surfing without the kid. I’m more of a shortboarder than a longboarder though, so I’m not sure how well this would work.
