Paddling is a great way to explore our beautiful waterways, but what is the difference between canoeing and kayaking?
It’s a question we’ve all asked at some point, says British Canoeing. Many people use the two words interchangeably, however, there is a distinction between the two.
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What's the difference between canoeing and kayaking?
An easy way to remember the difference between kayaking and canoeing is the paddle. Canoeing involves sitting or kneeling in an open boat using a paddle with one blade. You paddle facing forward and propel the craft forward from one side. Whereas in kayaking, you sit down with your legs in front of you, while propelling forward with a double-bladed paddle.
Let’s look at the other differences that set them apart. If you think of a kayak as a sports car, then a canoe is very much the people carrier of the paddling world. Kayaks are favoured for shorter distances, sea adventures and white water.
Canoes usually have an open deck and you can pack your picnic and camping gear easily into them, whereas kayaks tend to have a closed deck. You often won’t be able to see the lower half of someone kayaking. Because they are open, canoes offer more freedom of movement for paddlers. Kayaks, on the other hand, offer more secure seating and protection with their closed deck.
Seating is another difference to look out for. Canoeists will kneel in the craft or sit on a seat. When kneeling, canoeists will wedge their knees against the sides of the boat for stability. You can’t see the kayaker's lower body but their legs will be stretched out in front of them in the kayak. Their knees will be resting on thigh braces for support. Canoes are a great option for those who may have difficulty getting in or out of a kayak.
Paddles are another key difference between a kayak and a canoe. Canoeists tend to use single blades, whereas kayakers will have a blade on each end. A single blade is not effective for kayakers as they sit lower on the waterline. Double-bladed paddles are much faster and effective when kayaking.
So, if you’re looking to travel long distances or tour our waterways at a leisurely pace, a canoe would be a better option. They’re also great for families – you can paddle together in the same craft and you have space to bring a picnic, camping gear and more! Thinking about buying a canoe? See our best canoe types for beginners.
Kayaks give you the freedom and independence to paddle your own craft. The sleek shape allows you to cover distances quickly. They’re a great option for when you’re first starting out paddling. As you progress and look to paddle longer distances, touring kayaks are a good option. Touring kayaks glide through the water more smoothly, making it a gentler paddle when covering long distances. You can also get kayaks specifically designed for paddling on the sea and white water. See our best kayak types for beginners.
Now you know the difference between canoeing and kayaking!
British Canoeing is the national governing body for paddlesports in the UK and is the umbrella organisation for the home nation associations in Scotland (Scottish Canoe Association), Wales (Canoe Wales) and Northern Ireland (Canoe Association Northern Ireland). They are the membership body for England and are responsible for developing the sport within England.
British Canoeing provides support and opportunities for everyone to enjoy and realise their potential within all aspects of canoeing, kayaking and stand up paddleboarding regardless of their age, background or ability.
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