Kids

Start with the activity and the conditions. A child playing at the beach on a warm day needs different kit from a child paddleboarding on a breezy estuary, kayaking on cooler water or spending a long time in and out of the sea.

Warmth and fit are important, but safety should come first. A wetsuit helps with warmth, but it does not replace a buoyancy aid. A kids buoyancy aid or youth PFD should be chosen carefully around weight, fit and the activity they are doing.

For family SUP and kayaking, think in layers: suitable clothing, correct buoyancy, footwear, leash setup where appropriate, close supervision and conditions that match the child’s ability.

Kids wetsuits help children stay warmer and more comfortable when they are in and out of the water. This matters because children often get cold faster than adults, especially during beach days, SUP sessions, kayaking, bodyboarding and swimming.

Shorty wetsuits

A shorty wetsuit is best for warmer summer days, holidays, beach play and shorter sessions where freedom of movement matters more than maximum warmth.

Full kids wetsuits

A full junior wetsuit is the more versatile choice for UK paddleboarding, kayaking, surfing and longer water sessions. A 3/2mm suit is useful for summer, while 4/3mm, 5/4mm and thicker junior suits give more warmth for cooler conditions.

For a deeper guide, visit our kids wetsuits collection.

A buoyancy aid is one of the most important parts of a child’s watersports setup. It should fit closely, stay secure in the water and match the child’s weight and activity. Do not choose a buoyancy aid simply because it has room to grow.

For paddleboarding, kayaking and family watersports, a well-fitted kids buoyancy aid helps with flotation support and confidence if the child falls in. It should still allow them to paddle, sit, climb back onto a board or kayak and move comfortably.

Useful options include youth neoprene life vests, kids nylon PFDs and children’s safety vests. Browse our buoyancy aids collection for the full range.

For children getting into paddleboarding, the right board and paddle size can make a huge difference. A paddle that is too long, heavy or stiff can make SUP harder than it needs to be. A child-friendly paddle should be lighter, easier to handle and adjustable where possible.

Kids-specific SUP packages can be a good option when the board is genuinely sized for younger riders. For family use, a stable all-round paddleboard can also work well when adults and children are sharing sessions, provided the board is used safely and within suitable conditions.

Useful starting points include paddle boards, all-round paddleboards, SUP paddles and Woodmill SUP Test Centre.

Footwear is easy to overlook, but it can make a big difference for children. Aqua shoes and neoprene footwear help protect feet from stones, shells, slippery slipways, rough ground and cold surfaces around launch spots.

For warm beach and pool use, simple kids aqua shoes are often enough. For cooler SUP, kayak or beach sessions, neoprene footwear gives more warmth and protection.

Browse neoprene footwear, wetsuit accessories and paddleboarding accessories.

After the session is often when children get coldest. A kids changing poncho, changing robe or warm towel makes getting dry and changed much easier, especially in car parks, beaches, campsites and family paddle spots.

Waterproof bags are also useful for separating wet wetsuits, shoes and buoyancy aids from dry clothes, car seats and other kit. A simple dry bag can make family watersports far less chaotic.

Useful next steps include changing robes, waterproof bags, travel bags and wetsuit accessories.

For paddleboarding

For kids SUP, prioritise a suitable wetsuit, correctly fitted buoyancy aid, child-friendly paddle, safe conditions and close supervision. A stable board and sheltered water make early sessions much easier.

For kayaking

For kayaking, comfort when seated matters. Choose a buoyancy aid that fits properly and a wetsuit that allows easy shoulder and knee movement. Footwear is useful around launch spots.

For beach and bodyboarding

For beach use, a shorty wetsuit, aqua shoes and changing poncho may be enough in warm weather. For repeated immersion or cooler water, a full wetsuit is the better choice.

For family holidays

For holidays, think simple and practical: shorty wetsuit, aqua shoes, waterproof bag, changing robe and a buoyancy aid if the child will be paddleboarding, kayaking or using small craft.

Sizing children’s watersports kit can be tricky because age alone is not enough. Height, weight and chest measurement are usually more useful for wetsuits and buoyancy aids. For paddles, child height and arm strength matter more than simply choosing the smallest adult paddle.

Do not oversize wetsuits or buoyancy aids too much to get extra growing room. A loose wetsuit will feel colder, and an oversized buoyancy aid may not sit securely in the water.

If you are unsure, contact us with the child’s height, weight, chest measurement, age and intended activity. We will help you choose the most sensible size and setup.

The kids range includes practical family watersports products from brands such as Jobe, ION, O’Neill, Red Paddle Co, Starboard, JP Australia, Fanatic and Surflogic. Each brand has different strengths, so choose by the product need first rather than brand alone.

Jobe

Jobe is a strong choice for family-friendly wetsuits, buoyancy aids, kids footwear and accessible SUP kit.

ION and O’Neill

ION and O’Neill are useful for junior wetsuits and neoprene, especially when warmth, flexibility and regular water use matter.

Red Paddle Co and Starboard

Red Paddle Co and Starboard offer high-quality SUP-focused options, including children’s paddleboards and kids paddles for young paddlers progressing on the water.

Family watersports should be fun, but conditions matter. Choose sheltered water, check wind and tide, avoid offshore winds, and make sure children are always supervised closely by a competent adult.

Make sure children are warm enough before, during and after the session. Cold children lose confidence quickly, so a suitable wetsuit, changing robe and warm dry clothes can make the difference between a good session and a miserable one.

If you are unsure whether conditions, kit or sizing are right, ask us before heading out. We would much rather help you choose the right setup than see children put off watersports by being cold, uncomfortable or over-faced.

If you are buying a children’s paddleboard, paddle or family SUP setup, visiting the Woodmill SUP Test Centre can be useful. It gives you the chance to compare boards and paddles on sheltered water and get practical advice before buying.

For sizing help, contact us with the child’s height, weight, chest measurement, age and what they will be doing. We can help with wetsuits, buoyancy aids, paddles, footwear and family water sports setups.

For delivery information, see our delivery information. For wider product advice, use our contact page.