By Lucy Ashton
Canoeing and kayaking are both popular recreational and competitive sports and can offer adventure, exercise, and fun, as well as a chance to explore nature and enjoy beautiful scenery.
Canoes and kayaks look fairly similar – they’re both types of boats and use a paddle – but there are a few differences between the two.
Canoes are open, have higher sides, and can carry more people and cargo; kayaks are (usually) closed, have lower sides, and are more agile and fast.
Canoes are usually paddled by one or two people with single-bladed paddles, while kayaks are normally paddled by one person with double-bladed paddles.
There are a variety of different choices in terms of the size and composition of the vessel as well as the intended number of users.
Whichever vessel you choose, it’s important to consider safety before going out on the water.
Please refer to the WSS kayaking/canoeing safety code which highlights the main considerations and advice.
Wildlife enthusiast Nic Davies reminded canoeists: “Please remember it is also very easy to disturb wildlife when paddling a canoe/kayak.
“Give obvious colonies of birds and seals a wide berth, and watch out for other wildlife activity when you’re close to shore (eg otters). Further out, please give the likes of basking sharks the space they need to thrive.”
