Kayaking and canoeing are activities everyone wants to try at least once in their life, especially when they are on vacation. But many people do one and confuse it with the other. Mixing the two is easy, and the terms are often used interchangeably.
But despite the similarities, kayaking and canoeing are inherently different sports. Even the structure and the shape of the two watercraft are different. Canoes have open tops, and the rowers sit or kneel on the small benches built in. A single-bladed paddle is used for canoeing. On the other hand, Kayaks have a closed deck with a small opening inside. The kayakers sit in that opening and propel themselves using a double-bladed paddle.
To better understand both sports, we must explore their differences in more detail.
Major Differences Between Kayak And Canoe
The Origin Of The Two Are Different
Kayaks were adopted by Scandinavian travelers from the Inuit tribes of Greenland, Canada, and Alaska. These travelers popularised the kayak in Europe. These tribes used wood to make kayaks. They were typically used for hunting and fishing.
The indigenous tribes of North America initially used canoes. Later, European and Spanish settlers adopted their design. Their purpose was wider than just fishing and hunting. They were used for trade, the transport of goods, and individual travel.
They Have A Different Structure
Kayaks are typically made of plastic or driftwood. They have a closed deck with an open cockpit. The passenger sits in the pit with their legs in front of them. The kayak is narrower and longer than a canoe and is paddled with double-bladed paddles.
A canoe is open and has small benches placed inside it. This is where the passenger sits. Canoes are broader and shorter in size. Unlike kayaks, canoes are paddled using a single-bladed paddle.
The Speed Varies
Kayaks are narrower and longer, and the paddles are more robust. This makes them faster than Canoes. Canoes are short and broad; this reduces their ability to cut through the water as quickly as kayaks. But their shape makes them generally more stable than kayaks.
The Safety Mechanisms In kayaks And Canoes Are Different
Kayaks are generally lower and closer to the water but are also closed on all sides. It is harder for water to get in, but once it is in, water removal is also challenging. Most kayaks have a spray deck to prevent water from filling them up.
Canoes are a bit higher above the water. They have high sides, which prevents water from getting in. Even if water does get in, it can easily be removed.
In Short
While it is easy to confuse the two and use the names interchangeably, the two sports have a long and different history. Another differentiating factor is how they are built and the right way to ride them. It is essential to understand these differences to have a holistic experience of either of them.
