From baby on board to toddler tandems, we got Liv on a surfboard as much as possible. Sometimes that meant paddling her along the shoreline, while other times, we paddled her out to the line-up. But the day we caught our first wave together as a family will forever be the highlight of her Mommy and Daddy's surfing careers.
It was THE ultimate party wave–with a level of stoke that far surpassed her first wave a year ago. From that family session, we've since learned several surf-savvy things to keep our little surfer girl stoked and safe. Of course, it's different for every kid; some simply refuse to be on a surfboard, and that's okay. But here's what we found helpful when tandem surfing with a toddler:
Lather up. Make sun safety just as much a routine as board waxing. We don't have to tell you how harmful UV rays are. A hat, a rash guard and sunscreen keep your little one from turning unwanted shades of red and levels of fussy.
Keep warm. Kids get colder faster, period. Being on a surfboard amplifies that because they are fully exposed to the elements (wind, rain, ocean spray, etc.). Even in Hawaii, our little one wears a neoprene spring suit to keep in extra warmth. Amazon has a few really good ones. More notable brands, like Roxy, also offer baby sizes.
Additionally, we avoid paddling out if it's even a little windy. Our daughter doesn't only get affected by the breezier conditions but also by the added chop on the surface. Ocean spray in her eyes will cut the session short anyways. Who could blame her?! Sometimes if the wind turns on mid-session, she'll ride on Noah's back. The added height above the water prevents unwanted splashes from hitting her in the face. Just make sure your grom is holding on tight!
Wear a life vest. Even though your child might be able to swim, a life jacket should be worn as a safety precaution; just as it is when riding on a boat. You, as the parent, might have the board under control, but you can't control what's happening around you (the waves, other surfers, etc.). Wearing a life jacket in a wipeout will keep your child afloat and also more easily accessible to quickly toss back on the board.
Paddle to closer breaks. The shorter the paddle out, the easier it is to return to land should your toddler have a meltdown or need a potty break. While neither have happened to us (yet), being near the shore gives us peace of mind. It's usually also a lot calmer and smaller on the inside, with a crowd lighter than at the main peaks.
When we got back into surfing during COVID-19 quarantine, we discovered a few empty inside breaks. They were ones we probably wouldn't have noticed otherwise but are glad we did.
Follow the evolution of surfing. From lying tummy down to standing up with assistance, the toddler's progression of tandem maneuvers is typically the same. We never rushed into having our daughter stand up but rather waited until we knew she was ready, and most importantly, would enjoy it.
When standing her up, Noah usually paddles into the wave and once they're steady, lifts up our daughter from underneath her arms. He continues to hold her in this position–sometimes standing up himself–until the wave fades away. This takes a bit of practice, but with the right board, it's easy to do. We ride a 9'6" log when tandeming with our daughter.
Have fun. The surf stoke is real, and it should be very real, and apparent, in your surfing toddler. Hearing our daughter's laughter, as she glides down the wave, fuels every session. It's the best part about surfing with a child. Being able to share the stoke is as special as sharing a wave. But they can have bad days in surfing, too. If they're just not into it or seem more interested in playing in the sand, then go with the flow of their moods.
VIDEO: Liv standing up on a wave for the first time, with her Daddy there for support.
READ MORE: Baby on board // Sun protection for a surfing toddler // Filming your surf grom
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