Our Mission
To Promote healthier minds and bodies through physical exercise
To Develop
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Self esteem -
Leadership
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Increased physical strength
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Confidence
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Team-building skills
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Cooperation
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Respect for our environment and each other
To Provide a fun learning adventure designed for youth with little or
no kayaking or swimming experience
Our Objective
We believe that if you want to stay healthy and live longer, you're going to have to exercise in some way or another. The trick to exercising regularly is to do something you can enjoy. Exercise doesn't have to be a dirty word. But, it's got to be fun to keep youngsters motivated. Physical exercise not only helps in toning your body, it burns calories, builds muscles, decreases stress and helps your body work more effectively. Like education, exercise too produces long-term benefits and physical fitness is the key to a healthy lifestyle at any age.
Our Goal
Our program endeavors to serve all youth and their families regardless of ethnicity or income level from communities that traditionally do no take part in such water sports. Kayaks 4 Kidz™ not only expands participants physical fitness horizon, but also aids confronting and conquering fears about water related activities. Students return to land with a new sense of confidence in their own abilities.
Our Organization
The Kayaks 4 Kidz™ program is the brainchild of “Water Dog” Frankie Smith and “Aqua Momma” Gay Brewer who have been active in water sports and recreational boating for over 25 years. The program’s creators have received extensive training and certification from the US Coast Guard Auxiliary for Boating Skills and Seamanship as well as continuing education classes with the UCLA Marine Aquatics Program. The Kayaks 4 Kidz™ program grew from their passion and love for kayaking, swimming and boating and a desire to share this experience with their own children, friends and others interested in learning to kayak.
Kayaks 4 Kidz™ was formerly launched in 2005. Now in its fourth year of free Introduction to Kayaking classes, the program has graduated more than 700 students. Kayaks 4 Kidz™ is a member of the American Canoe Association, the US Boating Association and is certified by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary for Boating Safety and Seamanship.
Facts About Kayaking
Kayaks and canoes have been tracked back thousands of years when natives used these crafts to hunt, fish and travel. The kayak is the counterpart of the American Indian canoe which was propelled through the water by single-bladed paddles usually made from wood. The kayak which was introduced by Eskimos many years ago was typically propelled by a double -bladed paddle.