I agree that running kids around a race course is not such a good idea. You need to have a lot of variety and fun in any kids program.

Actually the best fun the kids had was when we played ball games in the boats.
Bouys were just used to mark the area they had to stay within to keep the game full of action.
They had a lot of fun and learnt boat control without even knowing it.
My youngest started playing games like this on 12 ft surfacts when he was 6.
The kids would play in the mornings before the bresse got too strong. When they got the itch to race they would have to ask if they could join in racing in the arvo. Their request was considered but not always granted.

Their time in the morning was aimed at playing and learning
as it should be.