There are plenty of reasons why canoeing and kayaking are wonderful ways to get afloat with the kids, but to know which is the best option for you, it’s good to understand a few basics first…
A lot of people wonder, what is the difference between a kayak and a canoe?
It’s a question I’m often asked – that, and whether kayaking or canoeing is better for with young kids?
Let’s start by clarifying the differences between these two types of boats, because it’s something that is easy to be confused by. That’s because, to the uninitiated, the terms ‘kayak’ and ‘canoe’ are often used interchangeably. Knowing a few of the differences between a kayak and a canoe will help you to make an informed decision as to which is best for you.
How to spot the difference between a kayak and a canoe
The main difference between a kayak and a canoe that’s traditionally cited, is that the deck – or the top half – of a kayak is enclosed, whereas canoes are open. However, with the advent of sit-on-top kayaks, that’s no longer strictly true.
Sit-on-top kayaks have open decks and therefore can look like canoes to the causal observer, but they are in fact actually called kayaks.
Perhaps a better point of difference I think is to look at how the paddler sits. A kayaker will sit with their legs out in front, whereas a canoeist is more likely to be perched on a raised bench, or even kneeling; this is so they can paddle most effectively as the sides of a canoe are much higher.
It’s for that same reason that kayakers use a double-bladed paddle, whereas canoeists will use a single blade – as sitting positions affect how much freedom of movement you have.
Is a kayak or a canoe better for paddling with kids?
The simple answer is that both kayaks and canoes are brilliant for introducing young kids to watersports.
The concept of paddling is simple to explain and easy for even little kids to pick up. There are plenty of places you can go in a canoe or kayak, and when you’re ready for next level adventures you can try niche disciplines like sea kayaking or touring.
Unlike a sailing dinghy, a kayak or canoe doesn’t need rigging, and can be launched quickly and easily – great if you have little ones who are super keen to get the adventure started!
But as we’ve already outlined, there are a few differences between kayaks and canoes that are worth bearing in mind when deciding which one to try.
Fortunately, both canoes and kayaks are pretty ubiquitous at most watersports centres and you often see canoes and kayaks available to hire, so it’s easy to have a look and even try out different types available.
Canoes tend to be longer with higher sides so feel more like a rowing boat, so they’re the better option if you are looking to pack all the family plus a picnic into one boat, and head off to explore new shores together – think meandering down a lazy river or paddling across a calm lake. Although they can feel tippy when you first step in them, they’ll feel relatively stable once underway; however, at up to 5m in length if you are looking to buy a canoe, you do need to consider storage and transport!
Kayaks tend to be smaller; although that makes them slightly slower, they’re typically more manoeuvrable. Most are designed for up to three people, and there’s usually space to take a small picnic. If there is no storage hatch for your picnic, I’d recommend a dry bag – just don’t forget to tie it on!
Sit-on-top kayaks are designed with entry level users in mind, and they are generally beamy enough to ensure good stability so they’re unlikely to capsize; if they do, their open deck means it’s easy to swim free. (The more conventional sit-in kayak on the other hand, while great for grown ups, particularly those looking to tackle challenging waters, typically sees the lower half of your body enclosed within the hull of the kayak. For this reason, they’re perhaps better suited to older kids.)
As you’re seated, kayaks (even sit-on-top ones) give a definite sensation of being on a ‘boat’ – as opposed to a board. Kids in particular will love the opportunity to learn how to paddle their own boat! So, for young families starting out, sit-on-top kayaks are perfect, great for messing about from the beach and learning the basics of paddle power! And as they are made from rotomoulded plastic, they’re more than robust enough to withstand a few bashes from being run up the beach.
You can also buy inflatable open kayaks, some of which look more like mini-canoes. These are ideal if you are looking to get started in paddlesports and want to buy a kayak but are short on storage space.
The flexibility of being able to transport your inflatable kayak near enough anywhere means it’s great if you love seeking out new adventures. Bear in mind, they’re just not quite as robust and marginally less stable compared to a rotomoulded hull – and you do need to pump them up! But the flexibility to paddle anywhere certainly has a big appeal.
