


In kayaking, the double ended paddle means you can simply paddle harder on one side than the other to change direction.Īnother key difference in the canoe vs kayak debate is the way you are positioned. When in a canoe, you have to switch the side you’re paddling on in order to control the boat (unless there is more than one person in the boat). That’s a fairly significant difference and easy to spot. Look at the paddlesĬanoe paddles have one blade and kayak paddles have two blades.

Both are long, narrow boats that are propelled by the use of paddles (as distinct from oars which are used in rowing) but that is more or less where the similarities end.Īlthough they may look similar to the untrained eye, thanks to a greater modern emphasis on aerodynamic design (or should that be aquadynamic design), they are actually quite different. Ok, so of course there are some fairly key similarities. In reality there are some key differences which affect the way you sit, ride and handle the boat. But say to that to an enthusiast of one or other and you’ll be met with an icy stare. On the face of it, to the uninitiated the two do seem very similar. So, just what are the differences, and who would win a canoe vs kayak race? “Kayak” by Jörg Helbig – own picture (Merops 22:43, 27 December 2005 (UTC)), (CC BY-SA 3.To the untrained eye watching last year’s Olympic paddling at the Lee Valley White Water Centre, the kayaking and canoeing look to be essentially the same thing. Fish and Wildlife Service – (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia Kayakpaddler is typically seated on the bottom with his legs stretched in front of him.Ĭanoepaddler usually sits on a seat or kneels inside the boat. Kayakis narrower and lighter than a canoe.Ĭanoeis not usually faster than a kayak. Canoes can usually carry more people than kayaks.

The structure of the design may also depend on the purpose. The design of the paddle is also different a single bladed paddle is usually used in canoes.Ĭanoes are used for different purposes recreational activities, racing, white water canoeing, touring are some of these purposes. The paddlers usually sit on a seat or kneel inside the boat. Both ends of the boat are pointed, and the top is not covered. But some significant features can be observed in the design of this boat. Kayaks are not designed to carry many passengers or supplies.Ī canoe is also a lightweight boat. Therefore, they are often faster than canoes making them ideal for water sports such as racing. Kayaks are also generally lighter in weight and narrower in structure when compared to canoes. The paddler is typically seated on the bottom with his legs stretched in front of him. Another main difference between kayak and canoe is the paddle. Kayaks usually have closed decks, so the inside of the boat is enclosed, surrounding the paddler. This type of boat was first used by Aleut, Inuit, and Yupik hunters in subarctic regions of the world. The term kayak originally comes from the Greenlandic language. Kayak is a lightweight, narrow boat that is used on rivers and lakes. The canoes have pointed ends and open tops and are propelled using a single-bladed paddle whereas kayaks have closed decks and are propelled forward using double-bladed paddles. The main difference between kayak and canoe is their structure. Although these two terms are used interchangeably in some countries, some differences can be found between them based on their design. Kayak and canoe are both narrow, lightweight boats that are used on rivers and lakes.
