We’re here to settle this once and for all – so many people are unaware of the differences between canoeing and kayaking, and if you’ve never participated in these sports before we can understand that the difference between the two isn’t majorly obvious.
Kayaking
When kayaking, the participant is seated in the kayak and the paddle that’s used is double-bladed.
A kayak is a closed deck boat and is extremely low, meaning the paddler is much closer to the water.
There’s a small hole located where the person is seated which lets water into the kayak. Whilst these are a nuisance for giving you a wet bottom, they are actually a safety feature to help drain water out from any splashing. A lot of people use something called a spray deck to prevent this which is a type of breathable and adjustable fabric to add to the seat.
Kayaks are much more lightweight than canoes, making them faster and easier to manoeuvre.
Canoeing
In canoes, rowers usually kneel into position and use a single-bladed paddle to navigate around the water.
In a lot of cases, canoes have small benches which people use to push themselves forward for extra speed.
Canoes are also open-top boats and have much higher sides making it harder for water to make its way in.
Canoes are heavier and much more stable, so if you have a fear of tipping the boat or falling in, we’d recommend canoeing much more than kayaking as you’re much more protected from the water.
Which is Better?
Now, the usability of these boats really does depend on skill, experience, and also what you’re looking to achieve from your boating venture.
If you’re looking for speed and something less demanding when it comes to paddling, then kayaking is the easy option here.
A lot of people say that when travelling alone, kayaking is a much better option as they’re easier to navigate.
Canoeing on the other hand offers plenty of room to carry belongings with you. This extra room also makes them much more comfortable.
If you’d like to find out more information about kayaking and canoeing or would like to enquire about our gear and equipment that will come in handy for your trip, visit our shop or get in touch, here.