About us

Welcome to Kayak Kids!

We are a Veteran-owned company of outdoor enthusiasts dedicated to bringing the excitement of kayaking directly to young adventurers.

Our passion for exploration and environmental stewardship drives everything we do, and we're thrilled to share our love for paddling with the next generation.

Founder & Instructor

Our founder, Reed, is a local father of a special needs daughter who started kayaking as a way to better connect with her.

With over 25 years of experience in providing kids with outdoor adventures and challenges, he brings patience, trustworthiness, and a gift for adapting lessons to children’s diverse abilities and learning styles.

Our mission is to get all kids outdoors, providing safe, educational, and challenging experiences that promote personal growth, group cooperation, and leadership skills.

Accessibility

Kayak Kids ensures that its experiences are accessible to young people of all abilities. Providing adaptive equipment for those with physical disabilities or offering alternative instruction methods for those with different learning needs is our norm.

Diversity

Kayak Kids actively promotes diversity among its participants and staff. We believe in staying active in outreach programs targeted at underrepresented communities, as well as hiring practices that prioritize diversity and inclusion.

Affordability

Kayak Kids strives to make its kayaking experiences affordable to young people from a range of socio-economic backgrounds. This might involve offering sliding-scale pricing or partnering with community organizations to provide scholarships or subsidies.

Safety

Safety is paramount in any outdoor activity, especially those involving water. The company prioritizes safety by providing thorough instruction, appropriate safety equipment, and trained staff who are certified in water safety and first aid.

Our Vision

Kayak Kid’s dynamic & mobile programming introduces kids to the best lakes, bays and beaches San Diego has to offer, providing challenging outdoor experiences that expand comfort zones and foster teamwork.

What Sets Us Apart

What makes Kayak Kids unique is our commitment to mobility and flexibility. Instead of expecting you to come to us, we bring the adventure to you! Our fleet of kayaks is fully equipped and ready to roll, allowing us to set up exciting paddling experiences at a variety of locations, from local lakes and beaches to Mission Bay or the La Jolla Sea caves. Our mobile setup allows us to transform any nearby body of water into a playground for exploration and discovery, ensuring that every adventure is convenient, accessible, and tailored to your interests and abilities.

“When my daughter is kayaking with Reed, he is always there watching and directing her as well as other children present. I never worry about her safety when she is with Reed. He is patient and truly loves working with kids. Such a wonderful opportunity for Gage students!”

Meet the instructors

We’d rather kayak than work. Luckily, kayaking is our work.

Reed Smith - Owner/Instructor

Reed has been kayaking for 10 years and has been giving lessons for seven. He has kayaked rivers all over the southwest and has been known to backpack 50 miles with a kayak so he could be the only one on a pristine alpine lake. He is Red Cross Water Safety, First Aid and CPR certified as well as licensed as a Class (CP) commercial passenger bus driver.

Julia Stelzer - Lead Instructor

Julia has been a paddling instructor at Mission Bay Aquatics for the past three years. Additionally, she is in the process of getting her teaching credential from SDSU where she is taking classes specializing in child behavior, group management, and learning development. She is Red Cross Water Safety, First Aid and CPR certified.

What parents have to say

What an incredible way to get your kids out of the house, off of a screen, & out into nature for some fresh air & an exciting experience!

A Very Happy Mom

FAQs

Have any questions?

Does my child need to know how to swim?

No. All participants will be equipped with life vests and under the watchful eyes of our instructors who are Red Cross certified in First Aid, CPR and Water Safety. With one instructor per four participants, your kids will never be far from one of them. Safety is our primary concern.

Are classes held in the rain?

In the event of rain, classes will run unless deemed unsafe by KK and Lake staff. Kayaking in the rain can be an exhilarating experience and should be part of every kayaker’s skill set. On days where rain is expected, participants should be prepared with extra clothing as well as a waterproof jacket/poncho.

What should my child wear?

Hats and sunscreen should be worn by every participant as well as water shoes of some form. These would include Crocs, sandals or any type of footwear that can get wet and will stay on their feet. Additionally, a light jacket should be worn on overcast, windy or rainy days.

More than just fun

Have the peace of mind that your children are well taken care of while learning valuable skills.

“So grateful such a unique opportunity has been brought to our Gage students! What an incredible way to get your kids out of the house, off of a screen, & out into nature for some fresh air & an exciting experience! Mine had so much fun & can’t wait to get back in the water!”