Canoe conveys family to school

DON SCOTT/The Press

WANDER ON THE WATER: Paul Yeoman paddles his children, twins Ella, left, and Olivia, 6, and Sophie, 8, along the Avon to Banks Avenue School.

Most parents weave through traffic taking their children to school but Avonside father Paul Yeoman only has to worry about avoiding ducks.

The outdoor instructor and social worker dropped his daughters off at school by canoe yesterday morning, paddling along the Avon River to nearby Banks Avenue School.

Yeoman said he started taking his daughters along the river when they were at preschool.

"We live by the river, and I own a canoe, so why not? It takes about as long as walking, anyway," he said.

The girls commuted by canoe only a few times a year, when weather and tide conditions were suitable.

Yeoman said their watery entrance received enthusiastic reactions from the girl's schoolmates, while parents were more bemused by his transportation method.

"Most parents turn up to school with carseats and prams, but I have lifejackets and paddles."

While eldest daughter Abbey, 11, was now at an intermediate school, Yeoman still took twins Ella and Olivia, 6, and Sophie, 8, to school when possible.

The girls said they enjoyed paddling along the river, with Olivia enjoying seeing the wildlife.

"I like it because we get to see the ducks when we go past."

They said they were looking forward to being old enough to paddle the canoe by themselves.

- © Fairfax NZ News