Sup Kids Haarlem

Frequently asked questions:

• Which kids can join?

  Our kids training is available for beginner and advanced paddleboarders who want to participate in paddleboarding as a sport. Other than a motivation to go out on the water, we require a "zwemdiploma" A & B (a official Dutch diploma that certifies the child's swimming skills).
• My child doesn't have a Zwemdiploma yet, but knows how to swim. Can I still participate?

  Water safety is a top priority at Sup Kids Haarlem. For this reason, training sessions are open only to children with zwemdiploma A & B. However, we understand that some children, especially those new to the Netherlands, have basic swimming skills but no diploma. If your child has a Zwemdiploma A, they may participate with an added safety measure: wearing a life vest, a Restube Active or Restube PFD. Free Movement offers life vests free of charge, and Restube devices are availble for purchase at a discount through Sup Kids Haarlem or online. We occasionally find that children feel self-conscious ewaring a life vest, as it an make them feel different from the group. To help with this, we recommend having a conversation with your child beforehand to explain the importance of the extra safety measure. This preparation can make the experience smoother and ensures everyone if ready for practive on time.
• What is taught during training? What is the difference between de beginner and advanced groups?

  During the beginner classes kids learn the basics of paddleboarding: how to hold your paddle, where to stand on your board, how to stay balanced, how to turn and how to brake. For this we use wide paddleboards that offer the kids lots of stability.

  Once a participant knows all the skills from the beginner class, it can join the advanced training group. To progress we ask that the child demonstrates: the ability to paddle without bumping into obstacles such as boats, other participants or fixed objects; the ability to paddle for longer distances without break by itself, shows an insight into the traffic on the water (is aware of its position on the water as well as boats and other water vessels); doesn't sit down on its knees to rest between exercises. Furthermore, kids in the advanced group paddle on kids paddleboards that are 12 foot 6 inches tall and no more than 24 inches wide.

  The beginner training leaves from Free Movement, our partner for sup rentals. Beginner training is free of charge. If you need a sup, you can rent one from Free Movement at a steep discount. The advanced training is available to kids with a Sup Kids membership from the Haarlemse Kano Vereniging, which includes access to the HKV grounds and training gear.
• When are classes?

  Training is on Friday afternoons and Sunday mornings. Invites for each week's training are sent through our Whatsapp group.
• Where is the sup training?

  Beginner practice leaves from Free Movement at the Vissersbocht in the city centre of Haarlem. Here you can change clothes and leave items for after training.

  Kids in the advanced group leave from the Haarlemse Kano Vereniging at Noord Schalkwijkerweg 99 in Haarlem. Parking and changing facilities are available.
• What are the costs?

  The beginner classes are free of charge. The advanced training is available for members of the Haarlemse Kano Vereniging with a Sup Kids membership.
• What gear is needed? Can I rent a or borrow a sup board?

  If you need a board for your child to participate in the beginner training, we collaborate with Free Movement which offers sup board and kids paddles at a discounted rate. Please make sure to let us know before the training so we can ensure availability and prepare a sup for you. For the advanced group, training and use of special kids sup boards is included in the membership of the Haarlemse Kano Vereniging. The Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur offers financial aid to cover both beginner and advanced groups for those who qualify for a Haarlem Pas.

  The beginner group uses wide sup boards that offers lots of stability, like the Mistral Bali or Mistral Coral. You can also use your own sup if it offers sufficient stability.

  Students in the advanced group always use a sup that is 12"6' long and no more than 24' wide.
• Will training proceed during bad weather?

  Updates about the training will be shared through our Whatsapp group.
• Which sup is best for a child?

  We recommend a special kids sup because these are best suited for a child's weight, lenght and flexibility. A sup that is designed for adults is typically too wide and won't challenge the child's stability. For our advanced training group we use Mistral Vortex Air boards. If you consider buying a sup for your child, we are happy to help you look at options.
• What is a good sup paddle for a child?

  Standard sup paddles typcally are too tall and their blades are to big for child. We use Mistral Tamari paddles for our beginner groups and customised Mistral carbon paddles for the advanced group.
• Which clothes should I use during sup training?

  In the summer we recommend a swim suit. During colder days, you can wear a t-shirt. On colder days in spring, you can have your child wear a wetsuite. Of course we match training with the weather conditions, but can never guarantee that a child won't fall into the water.
• Which shoes are needed during sup training?

  For colder days we recommend neoprene shoes (6 mm). As soon as conditions allow it, however, we recommend to paddle barefoot because this offers the most control over your board. Water shoes are not needed.
• Where can I find second hand sup gear?

  Please talk to other parents during sup races. And the usual places like Marktplaats and the Facebook group Benelux tweedehands SUP markt are good options too.
• What other places in The Netherlands offer sup kids training?

  In addition to Sup Kids Haarlem, there are kids training groups in:
  In Harderwijk at Sup&Go (Gelderland)
  In Makkum at Sup Kids Makkum (Friesland)
  In Oudewater at Pro-Sup (South Holland)
  In Wormer at KV Zwetsplassers (North Holland)
  
• Does Sup Kids Haarlem offer clinics for children or parent-and-child clinics?

  Sup Kids Haarlem offers a training group for kids that want to practice paddleboarding as a sport, similar to how you training when you join other sport clubs. For a one-time clinic or parent-child clinic, please contact a sup school.
• Do you offer paddle boarding kids birthday parties?

  For sup kids birthday parties please contact Free Movement.
• How can my child join the Haarlemse Kano Vereniging?

  Please fill out the amembership form to join the Haarlemse Kano Vereniging.
• Where can I find an overview of future training sessions?

  Below you find an overview of future training sessions and kids sup events. You can add this to your calendar by using the iCal url