Whats the Difference Between Canoes and Kayaks?

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Unlike a kayak, a canoe is an open boat. Canoeists traditionally kneel in the boat and use a single-bladed paddle; kayakers sit and use a double-bladed one. Kayaking is the more common of the two paddle sports. Have you ever been in a canoe or a kayak? You might be able to tell the difference between a canoe and a kayak by looking at them, but arent they basically the same type of boat? Whats the difference between the two? Both canoes and kayaks are lightweight boats that can be used on lakes and rivers. They are also both powered by humans using paddles. They can both be used for various recreational activities, such as fishing, and they can both travel in shallow water. There are some basic differences in design and how theyre usually used. For example, paddlers usually sit on a seat or kneel in a canoe, whereas kayakers are usually seated on the bottom of the boat with their legs stretched out in front of them. The paddles used in canoes and kayaks are usually different, too. Paddlers tend to use single-bladed paddles in canoes and double-bladed paddles in kayaks. Canoes also tend to have an open deck. This means that the inside of the boat is open and uncovered. Kayaks, on the other hand, are usually closed-decked. This means that the inside of the kayak is enclosed and surrounds the paddler. Canoes and kayaks have different purposes, too. Canoes can carry more people and supplies, making them ideal for families to use for leisurely paddles around calm lakes. Kayaks, on the other hand, are more like sports cars. They can carry fewer passengers and supplies. Their sleek designs tend to make them faster and better for use in competitive water sports, such as racing and slipping through whitewater rapids. Overall, though, kayaks are known for faster speeds, while canoes are known for greater stability and roominess. These types of boats have been around for thousands of years. In fact, the first canoes were simply hollowed-out trees. Kayaks were developed by the Inuit peoples of the Arctic specifically for fishing and hunting.