One of the most common questions we hear at Kelowna Watercraft Co. is: can I bring my kids? The answer is a resounding yes. We are a family-owned business, and some of our favourite days on Okanagan Lake have been spent with our own kids riding right alongside us. Honestly, our kids might love it even more than we do.

If you've been wondering whether a jet ski rental is something the whole family can enjoy together, this guide walks you through exactly how it works.

Kids Are Welcome to Ride

Youth aged 6 and up are welcome to ride as passengers on our Sea-Doos. All we need is a parent or guardian's signature on a quick waiver before you head out — no special licence or certification required for your child to join the ride.

The driver operating the watercraft must be 19 or older with a valid photo ID, so as long as a parent (or another adult in your group) is driving, your kids get to come along for the adventure.

Life Jackets for Every Size

Safety comes first, and that starts with a properly fitted life jacket. We carry kids life jackets in every size, from smaller youth fits right up to adult sizes, so everyone in your group is comfortable and secure on the water.

Our crew will help fit each child with the right jacket before you launch, and we'll make sure everything is snug and properly buckled. If your child has never worn a life jacket before, we'll take a moment to show them how it works so they feel confident before we even leave the dock.

Best Seating Arrangements for Kids

Figuring out where everyone sits on a Sea-Doo is one of the most important parts of a smooth family ride. Our crew walks every family through the best seating arrangement for their group before you launch.

As a general rule, younger or smaller passengers ride in the middle, closer to the driver, where the ride is most stable and the driver can keep an eye on them. The Sea-Doo GTI SE 170 seats up to three people, so there's room for a parent and two kids, or a parent, one child, and another adult.

We'll also show your child where to hold on, how to brace when the watercraft speeds up or turns, and what to expect when the Sea-Doo planes out onto the water. A few minutes of guidance goes a long way toward a confident, comfortable ride.

Best of all, our 2026 Sea-Doo GTI SE 170s are the sturdiest watercraft on the lake. They're noticeably wider and steadier than older jet skis, which makes them the absolute best choice for family riding. That extra stability means a smoother, more predictable ride for young passengers — less tippy at low speed, more confidence for everyone, and a machine you can trust to be reliable all day long.

The Routes Kids Love Most

Every family ride is a little different, but there are two spots that consistently get the biggest reactions from our kids.

The first is going under the William R. Bennett Bridge. There's something about riding beneath the massive concrete pillars and hearing the echo of the bridge overhead that kids find unforgettable. It's a quick, easy run from the Water Street launch and a perfect early highlight on any family ride.

The second is Rattlesnake Island, down in the southern end of Okanagan Lake. Circumnavigating the island feels like a real adventure, and the open water along the way gives kids a chance to open up the throttle (well, the driver does) and feel the wind. It's one of the most iconic jet ski routes in the Kelowna area, and it never disappoints.

Why We Love Family Rides

As a family-owned business, getting other families out on the water is one of our favourite parts of what we do. We've watched our own kids fall in love with riding, and we've seen the same thing happen with hundreds of families who rent from us each summer.

A jet ski rental isn't just a fun activity. For a lot of kids, it's the highlight of their whole Kelowna trip. The combination of speed, splashes, music on the Bluetooth sound system, and a real sense of adventure makes it an experience they talk about long after the ride is over.

What to Know Before You Book

A few quick things to keep in mind when planning a family jet ski rental in Kelowna:

- The driver must be 19 or older with valid photo ID. - Kids aged 6 and up can ride as passengers with a parent or guardian's signature. - We provide kids life jackets in all sizes. - Our crew will help with seating arrangements and a full safety briefing. - Our Sea-Doos seat up to 3 people, so the whole family can ride together. - No boating licence is required for the driver.

If you're ready to get your family out on Okanagan Lake, book your jet ski rental online in under two minutes. Pick your launch location, choose your rental duration, and we'll meet you at the water with everything ready to go.

We can't wait to see your kids' faces light up out there.