Not to bright. Vests are required for all boating activities. But then, bike helmets might also not be worn. To tuff to wear safety equipment. Lets see how funny the court finds this.

Good for these two! Showed a little initiative, had fun and got scared and educated all in one day.

And yes it was ill-advised, probably a little risky, and if they did break law then I would never condone that. But still probably no less risky than zoning out in front of TV or playing the latest video game.

Next time don't get caught ;)

these teens made a huge mistake that day. gotta launch further up the creek to avoid the cops.

It's my understanding that it is perfectly legal to take vessels on navigable creeks in California. However, going without a life vest was VERY foolish. Glad they're okay.

Thank goodness the kids weren't seriously hurt especially since one teen had capsized and had to be helped to safety by firefighters. Seems more like an irresponsible adult problem not considering their safety and well-being especially if the kids were not properly equipped (no life jackets) and unprepared for the currents. Glad the police saw fit to cite the adult for child endangerment. He should have known better. Very poor judgment on his part.

These kids are lucky to be alive.

As a white water enthusiast I can safely say these kids had 0 experience. The most novice kayaker knows 2 things always wear a coast guard approved life jacket and a helmet and any experienced kayaker would not to go down a water way without scouting ahead first. It's very difficult to right an overturned kayak in narrow, fast moving water with debris and other growth in the water.

If I were the parents I would send these kids directly to a coast guard safety class. From there I would send them to thank the firefighters.

It's all fun and game until somebody cries, or somebody dies. Water should always be respected and safety practices must be adhered to at all times. Life jackets should have been mandatory, there are no exceptions! A more detailed account of this story was front page of the Daily Post on Tuesday, 1/24. The male adult in charge of these two boys is extremely irresponsible and negligent on all counts. Yes, this is the epitome of "child endangerment" and he should be held accountable on all levels. Perhaps this is a wakeup call for everyone concerned and those who are following this story? We hope so.

Suggest everyone who thinks its funny read the next article down

Rescuers searching for man who disappeared into the bay after his canoe capsized

He wasnt wearing a life jacket
Somebodys father son brother?

And yes getting trapped and held underwater w/out a life jacket in a kayak in a fast moving creek is just as dangerous if not more than a canoe in the bay
Another inexperienced boater

At the risk of repating myself parents get your kids to a coast guard boaring class
It probably would have saved the guys life that died in bay tues

40+ yr resident of Menlo Park and this used to happen more frequently - kids being kids. Rubber rafts, inner tubes, boogie boards. The only difference is back then there were less trees and shrubs in the creek, and it rained every year so we had a better feel for what we were doing. Sure, life jackets should have been used, but back then we never did. Don't recall any deaths - some scrapes and the police never hassled us.
Hope the adult doesn't get into too much trouble for helping his boys be boys.

What's next? Will teenagers no longer be able to skate, snowboard, or surf? Maybe we should eliminate all activity and have kids put on a Oculus Rift headset. Then they will be perfectly safe in their little virtual worlds (sponsored by Doritos!).

The creek hasn't been very high lately, even with the rain. Things only get interesting when the Pope Street bridge shows 15 feet. Newcomers are amazed it actually has water. It needed a good rinsing, funny how nature does that.

If the teens were well equipped, let them enjoy nature before all of nature gets outlawed. These kids give me hope for Generation Z.

This is a mess, Mr. Editor,

Editor's Note: A previous version of this story said that the teens were not wearing life vests. Due to new information confirmed with the Menlo Park Police Department, it has been updated to say that the teens were wearing flotation devices.

There should be no charges.

A mess indeed, why are we telling kids to not explore nature? They sound responsible and old enough. I bought my house on the water (snicker) because I love water. Unfortunately, my view had been brown for the past few years. These kids love water too

The creek is for enjoyment. Push away from your computer screen and see the real world, it's fascinating out there.

Has anyone considered that maybe these kids had their civil rights violated?

A recent letter to the Daily Post, written by a past Santa Clara Valley Water District Board member correctly states the kids have a legal right to be on the water (let's assume they are citizens and not tourists). Water laws go back to the beginning of time. So if the kids, sometimes known as fully formed human beings, have a constitutional right to be on the water, and someone deprives them of that civil right ... who gets charged?

Given the flow levels in the creek at the time of this incident had the kayakers, regardless of their age or the use of flotation devices, reached the grates installed across the creek at highway 101 they would most likely have been pinned under water and drowned.

"Strainers are one of the most dangerous features that are found on rivers. They can be invisible to the unsuspecting victim, and may be encountered by rafters, kayakers or rescuers when they aren’t expecting them. Strainers can be man-made objects or naturally occurring, but if you know what to look for, they can be easily recognized and avoided.
A strainer is defined as anything that swiftwater can flow through, but that a swimmer, kayaker or boat cannot. Some examples include cars, trees, man-made obstacles and debris. Strainers are life-threatening obstacles that should be avoided whenever possible."

Our creek isn't very pretty at the freeway where the powers that be have destroyed the natural habitat of the creek in their quest to build yet another lane onto what used to be a 2 lane Bayshore Freeway. Anyone old enough to remember the traffic signals on Bayshore?

The kids wanted to be in nature, not a cement channel. It's these types of kids that will grow up to protect what we have left in our over-crowded city. Does Menlo Park need tidal lands and open space, or does Menlo Park need yet another Facebook expansion. How about some floating apartments, makes sense to me. Have you seen what they've done near Boardwalk Volkswagon?

Once the land is gone, it's gone forever.

Looks like our creek isn't the only one where enjoying the water has been outlawed. Protect our right to use our open space.

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