: Here's a picture taken a couple of weeks ago of my two daughters
: out paddling (shhh: actually they're being towed!). They're both
: using my Coos 8 design: 8' LOa x 18" beam. Mike's
: "Micro Sea Flea" looks very similar though mine is a
: three year old design. Danielle (2.5 years) has the "Pink
: Pearl" with the outriggers and Lena (4.5 years) is in her
: "Sharkbait." Lena's paddling skills have increased
: exponentially this summer. She no longer needs the outriggers
: (using them with Danielle) and has total directional control
: over her boat. Simply amazing for some one only 4 years old!

I think a tremendous part of that is the paddle. I love the appropriately sized greenland paddles for the girls. My daughter's using a Bending Branches Cattail paddle, but it's still obnoxiously long for her.

Awesome picture and so very cool about her paddling ability! I was impressed at Paige's lack of need for the outriggers quickly this year. She had trouble turning, so I talked to her about a true sweep stroke. She watched/listened, applied it and had a pretty immediate result w/ how she did.