People often choose destinations with majestic water forms or breathtaking locations with great scenic views for memories. Waterscapes are perfect venues for adventures like camping, vlogging, swimming, canoeing and kayaking with a lover or a few friends. Tranquil waters and beautiful panoramas are both relaxing and exhilarating simultaneously.
You may be planning an intimate waterscape gathering soon and looking for trim boat options. If you’re trying to decide between kayak vs canoe for your next escapade, you’ve come to the right place. This post will discuss their differences and how you can identify them.
Canoe or Kayak
A canoe is a small, pointed, narrow watercraft traditionally steered and propelled by a single-bladed paddle, although modern canoes have oars or outboard engines. A kayak is a small, closed, little boat with opening/s to fit one or two people. Most people get those two boats confused, primarily because of their similar size and form.
Canoeing is the activity of manoeuvering a canoe with manual human strength, while kayaking is paddling a kayak. People often think of calm and gentle rides when thinking of canoeing and kayaking, but you’d be surprised to know that a specific kayak Olympic event is an extreme sport.
The Olympics include canoes and kayaks in their sporting events, open to male or female athletes worldwide competing in slalom or sprint:
- Canoe slalom is a single or doubles event wherein athletes attempt to ride up or down whitewater rapids in the fastest time possible using a kayak or decked canoe.
- Canoe sprint or flat water racing straight ahead on calm waters.
On the other hand, the Para-canoe in the Paralympics uses the kayak and va’a, which means canoe, ship or boat in Hawaiian, Tahitian or Samoan. Therefore, even those with physical conditions can enjoy both boat forms in calm waters. People of all ages can benefit from canoeing and kayaking as low-impact cardiovascular activities.
What’s the Difference between Canoe and Kayak
Now, we’ll talk about the differences. Seeing as the Olympics even uses canoes and kayaks interchangeably, it’s safe to say that the distinctions between the two are minor. You need the same principles of balance to ride both.
Here are some prominent disparities between the two narrow boats:
1. Paddle forms
The paddle is one of the most apparent differences between a canoe and a kayak. Rowers manoeuver the canoe using single-blade paddles, while they use double-bladed paddles for a kayak. The canoe paddles are shorter than the kayak’s, with the latter mounted at 90 degrees to allow a swift twisting motion to accelerate.
A canoeist’s single blade has a T-shaped handle on the other side. Manoeuvering the canoe would require the oarsman to plunge the paddle into alternate left and right sides of the boat. A kayaker uses a double-bladed paddle due to the kayak’s low height relative to the waterline. A canoe’s oar would be inefficient in the kayak paddler’s position.
2. Paddler seating
Another key difference is the position of the rowers on the boat. The canoe rowers will kneel inside or sit on small bench provisions, while the kayak rowers will sit in hole provisions with legs stretched out in front of them.
3. Boat structure
The boat structure is a standard kayak vs canoe signifier. Canoes are open, while kayaks have a closed deck with hole provisions for rowers. There may be exceptions since some canoes have encasements while some kayaks are exposed.
4. Speed
People originally designed kayaks for hunting, so their designs are naturally more agile and swift. On the other hand, the canoe is known for its balance and roominess. However, it’s important to note that there are also fast canoes like those used in the Olympics.
5. Purposes
Canoes carry people or occupants, while kayaks act like sports cars thriving in challenging and competitive water conditions. You can rely on a canoe if you want gentle travelling like fishing or relaxing. You may opt for kayaking in difficult stretches and rapids if you enjoy a more extreme adventure.
It’s important to consider that modern canoes and kayaks have modified designs, so some previous descriptions may no longer apply.
6. Accessories or outfits needed
The final difference is the clothes and accessories needed to ride the canoe or kayak. People riding the canoe rarely get wet, so they don’t need unique accessories or outfits. They can bring their things and usual clothes unless they plan to swim.
Canoeists may wear the following:
- Normal clothes
- Collared lifejacket
- Layering for colder temperatures
People in the kayak may be drenched due to the boat’s height from the water, so they must wear waterproof gear or wetsuits. Aside from that, they need protective equipment to minimise the impact of the waves or rapids.
Kayakers may wear the following:
- Helmet
- Noseplug
- Buoyancy aid
- Paddling gloves
- Wetsuit
- Rash vest
- Boots or wet shoes with thick rubber soles
Getting Ready for Canoeing and Kayaking
It would help if you did thorough planning, whether riding a canoe or kayak. You may not join the Olympics, but boat riding and manoeuvering need training and preparation like other water activities. Bring life jackets and floating devices to ensure safety.
It would help if you were an excellent swimmer because the slightest wave may accidentally overturn a beginner due to the boat’s dimensions. You also must practice equilibrium, especially if riding the canoe for the first time, because the rowing motion could make you lose balance and fall into the water.
Conclusion
Water activities are fantastic, and deciding between canoeing vs kayaking all comes down to preference. Sometimes, you need to experience both to know which one suits your type of adventure better, or maybe you can learn both so you can drive whichever is available.