Activity Focus: Kayaking and Canoeing

John Geary began paddling when he was eight years old, on a canoe pond at day camp in southern Ontario during the summer of 1964. “I’ve continued to paddle since then, adding kayaking to my paddling portfolio in 1991 during a trip to Belize. I enjoy it because it’s quiet, an activity that can be very Zen-like, at least if you’re paddling flat water,” he says, “it gets me close to nature without disturbing the animals or contributing noise or other pollution to the environment.”

Do you need to have a basic level of fitness to be able to do this activity?

It depends what you want to do. If you want to just spend a few lazy hours paddling a canoe around a pond, someone who can walk, move their arms and get in and out of a canoe, can do it. If you want to go on a five-day wilderness paddle, you have to build up your core and upper body strength and stamina. You can easily do this simply by spending time on the water paddling on a regular basis. You can also learn specific weight-training exercises that will enhance your strength and ability to paddle. Note that the movements and muscle groups used in paddling a canoe do differ somewhat from those used in kayaking.

Whitewater paddling, either canoeing or kayaking, requires more specialized skills and training as well as a higher fitness level.

How easy is it to get started?

It’s actually quite easy to get started. If you have a friend who paddles, you can probably learn the bare basics from them. When I began, I took about 15 minutes of instruction, and I was in the pond paddling away.

What equipment do you need to get started? Can people join a group or club where they won't need to have their own canoe or kayak?

You do need a canoe or kayak and a couple of paddles, along with a life jacket. Most communities have clubs that welcome new members and provide both lessons and equipment for reasonable fees. Many have “starter” options that allow you to try paddling for free the first time, to see if you like it.

What are the costs associated with this activity?

If you want to buy your own canoe, prices range from as low as $800 to as high as $3200, depending on the make, model and type of material used to make the canoe. You can often purchase used canoes from clubs or marinas. Kayak prices are similar. Paddles range from $20 to $300, again, depending on make, model and material. Kayaking has some additional equipments costs, including items like a spray skirt(s), pumps and throw bags. You may also need to invest in a roof rack.

If you don’t want to buy equipment, most clubs have canoes or kayaks you can rent for reasonable fees, as do many provincial and national parks that feature paddling as a recreational option.

What kind of a workout does it give you?

It can be as hard or easy as you want it to be. On longer multi-day trips, stamina is the biggest factor. Whitewater or any river paddling generally provides a better workout than flatwater paddling, although if you’re paddling across a lake into a strong headwind, you’ll also get a good workout.

This post is a repeat, but look forward to more original content to come in the future.