Ready for a new water sport?
Water sports are recreational activities or sports that take place in, on, or around water. There are many types of water sports. Some of the most popular ones include swimming, diving, surfing, windsurfing, parasailing, water aerobics, water basketball, paddling, boating, rowing, board diving, fishing, snorkeling, sailing and scuba diving. Some of these sports are individual and some are team sports. Recreational boating is the activity of traveling by boat or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels (such as rowing and paddle boats). Let’s look at two specific recreational boats that you can enjoy this summer and beyond, kayaks and canoes.
For people new to water sports, the difference between a canoe and kayak can be quite confusing. Canoes and kayaks are both normally lightweight boats propelled and controlled by people using paddles, but each boat is unique in its own way. While both can be used for recreation as well as water sports, fishing, and traveling, there are a few key differences to look out for when distinguishing one from the other.
Canoes are considered practical, versatile, and easily manageable. These features make canoes great for leisure paddling with family on relatively calm water. Kayaks on the other hand normally carry fewer people, and they can usually travel faster than canoes which is why they are favored for competitive and challenging water conditions.
The main differences between kayaks and canoes are:
Kayaks have closed decks and cockpits, while canoes have open tops and gunwales.
Kayaks use double-bladed paddles, while canoes use single-bladed paddles.
Kayaks are smaller, sleeker, and more maneuverable, while canoes are larger, bulkier, and more stable.
Kayaks are designed for one or two paddlers, while canoes can accommodate more people and gear.
Kayaks are more suited to whitewater travel, while canoes are more common on calm waters.
Learn more about these recreational boats:
Canoe vs Kayak: What’s The Difference? – Paddling Magazine