As a father who welcomed my daughter to the sport at 15 I say 4 years old is far to young. Parents give your head a shake
I don't think it is that black and white.. it all depends on conditions, material and circumstances in which you let the youngsters practise.
Sure...location and conditions can make a HUGE difference about the safety and ease of learning. However...when shit goes down....and shit will go down as it always does for anyone learning.....I guarantee you a 4 year old does not have the proper skills or patience to minimize the potential danger.
And another thing to consider is the body development of these kids.....imagine this kid throwing down huge tricks at 8-9 years old...might look good but it is detrimental to the development of the body......The risk is not worth the reward I think....yes a father of two and I love for my oldest to start learning how to kite but not pushing it...plenty of time to make some bad decisions in the future...no need to rush one in.
the world in Brazil is different. You see kids of that age walking with a bit older brothers thru the villages and to the beach...kids of 8 go kiting alone...
That lad could be epic when he's older as Tom Bridge didn't start until he was 7!
Different areas as you say. I'm not looking to introduce my lad to kiting until he's a teenager because its all old guys on the water here locally so I think he would have more fun joining one of the sailing clubs as they have plenty of other children to hang out with. Mind you kiting will be so uncool by the time he gets to 15 so he would probably have quit by that point to do whatever the next big thing is anyway
I have taught judo for years so I have a fair understanding of the development of players, what force their body’s can withstand and as important what they are able to understand. I can stop a match when things are going south, in kiting you are all alone. 4 years old is far to young, 10-12 fir the right athlete maybe.
Please, Luccas is smiling, looking right at the camera, riding one handed and throwing a hand sign. He’s already better and more in control than most of you giving his dad shit. Like everything in kiting it is individual so chill. Or not, whatever.
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