Introducing Paddling

Paddling can be done as a hobby, a competitive sport or as a fun activity on vacations. You can paddle on rivers, lakes and the sea in a continually evolving number of boats;  from the traditional canoe and kayak to the latest in stand up paddle boards there is something for every one and every age.

Difference between canoe and kayak

While ‘canoe’ and ‘kayak’ are often used interchangeably, there are a few basic differences:

• Canoe – this is an open vessel and the person either sits or kneels inside the canoe and uses a single-bladed paddle to push the craft through the water.
• Kayak – this is an enclosed vessel and the person sits inside the kayak with legs extended and uses a double-bladed paddle.

There are exceptions – some canoes may be enclosed and some kayaks may be open depending on their intended use.

Types of paddling activities

In most cases, the craft is adapted or designed to fit the demands of the intended environment. Some of the different types of canoeing and kayaking activities include: the following. Olympic disciplines are denoted with an asterick *

• River touring – this is what most people imagine when they think of canoeing. River touring can range from a gentle paddle down a slow scenic river to the challenge of negotiating whitewater rapids.
• Sea touring – this is paddling in the sea.
• Surfing – the canoe or kayak is typically fitted with a fin, like a surfboard.
• Canoe Sprint* – Paddlers race in separate lanes on a straight course in calm water of different distances: 200m, 500m and 1,000m.
• Canoe Sailing – Canoe Sailing involves streamlined canoes that harness their power from large racing sails. Many clubs hold canoe sailing regattas.
• Freestyle – a whitewater sport that displays the paddler’s stamina and ability to maneuver. Freestyle paddlers perform various tricks and spins on a designated standing wave or hole in the river.
• Wildwater racing – An extremely physically demanding paddlesport, wildwater requires athletes to paddle stretches of whitewater in a rudderless canoe or kayak. There are single kayak (K1) events for men and women and for men, single (C1) and double (C2) canoe events.
• Marathon racing – this is a lengthy race over long distances across flatwater lakes or rivers.
• Slalom* – the person must negotiate a whitewater course in a race against the clock. This includes steering around obstacles (typically poles, aka gates, suspended over the course).
• Polo – two teams of five players each must compete to score the most goals using a water polo ball.
• Outrigger – There are multiple sizes of canoe, with seating capacity from one to six people. Sprint races are held with distances ranging from 500m to 3000m and long-distance races can cross up to 30 miles. Outrigger canoes have a pontoon, or ama, attached to the side of the canoe in order to increase stability.
• Dragon Boat – Long, open canoes are often ornately decorated with a dragon head, scales and a tail. In a large dragon boat approximately 20 paddlers sit in two rows using a single blade paddle. Small dragon boats contain around 10 paddlers, and both configurations use a drummer and coxswain. Events are held on flatwater with distances ranging from 200m to 2000m.

Paddling Terminology

• Canoe: A boat that paddlers kneel in and paddle with a single-bladed paddle.
• Kayak: A boat that paddlers sit in and paddle with a double-bladed paddle.
• Double-Bladed Paddle: A device containing two blades that is used to propel a kayak through the water.
• Single-Bladed Paddle: A device containing one blade that is used to propel a canoe through the water.
• Spray Skirt / Spray Deck / Splash Cover: Worn around the paddler’s waist and torso, the spray skirt attaches securely to the kayak or canoe and serves to keep water out of the boat.
• Helmet: Meant to protect the paddler’s head. Helmet’s are padded on the inside and contain a hard shell on the outside.
• Lifejacket: Also known as Personal Flotation Device or PFD. A PFD is secured to a person’s torso and ensures that the paddler will float in the event that he or she gets separated from the boat.
• Gate: A pair of striped poles that hang from above the river. The slalom paddler attempts to paddle through the gate without making contact with it.
• Buoys: Separates the lanes for individual kayaks or canoes in the Canoe/Kayak Flatwater events.