Canoeing and Kayaking
The kind of canoeing and kayaking described in this date is for people who like to paddle on calm waters. One of the nice things about canoeing and kayaking on calm waters is that it's friendly for beginners. A few minutes of practice should have you on your way. On the other hand, if you are having adrenalin-enhanced visions of kayaking down white-water rapids, you'll need experience and training and we don't recommend it for casual dating.
In case you might be wondering how this differs from river-rafting— canoes and kayaks often only fit one or two people. You are your own guide. With river rafting, you usually have a guide and there are several people on each raft. CANOES VS. KAYAKS Canoes are open boats of American Indian origin. You generally propel them with a single-bladed paddle, often while you are in a kneeling position. (Single-bladed means there is a paddle at one end and a stick at the other.) Most canoes fit two or three people.
Kayaks have their origin in the Arctic regions of North America and Greenland. They are propelled with a double-bladed paddle. (Paddles at both ends of the oar.) You usually sit while paddling a kayak. Kayaks come in single and double versions, but don't expect to be getting any cheap feels beneath the deck in a double. A common problem is clanking paddles in all but the longest of doubles. This can be so annoying that double kayaks are called "divorce boats."
The first kayaks were made from strips of wood that were lashed together and covered with animal skins. Today, most canoes and kayaks are made from a variety of synthetic materials like fiberglass, kevlar and polyethylene. Weights range from forty-five pounds for a small solo kayak or canoe, to over a hundred pounds for the heaviest of doubles.
Most canoes are fairly wide. As a result, they are very stable and easy for beginners to balance in. Kayaks, on the other hand, range from wide "recreational" boats to very narrow, high-performance boats designed for experts. If you are interested in paddling one of the narrower boats, it's best to take lessons before going out by yourself. Narrow boats require special bracing and rolling skills in order for you to stay upright and to recover from tipping over.
COST
Rentals can be by the hour, half day or full day. The prices range from an hourly rate of $6 and up to a full day rate of $30 and up, so allow $20 to $100, plus food and gas. In addition, you'll need some of the following items which you can usually rent along with the boats: PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE—This is a fancy term for a life vest. As Mike from www.foldingkayaks.org says, "The law generally requires that you carry a personal flotation device for every passenger in a watercraft. Common sense suggests that you wear it!" SAFETY EQUIPMENT—Some people recommend The World's Loudest Whistle ($8.95), a mirror for signaling for help in the daytime ($9.95), and a Sea Rescue, which is 500 feet of highly visible flotation tape so you can be spotted from overhead. Also, be sure to ask the rental shop for Kayaker's Condoms. If they look at you strangely, wink and say, "We know what you people do in kayaks."
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
Be prepared to face large variations in temperature and rainfall. This means you'll need to bring clothing that is adequate for a wide range of weather conditions. A change of wool clothes is good because they retain warmth when wet. Hats and sunscreen are a must. Bring plenty of water to drink. You will also need to bring food—more than you think you'll need, just in case—and don't forget a first aid kit and spare paddles. Carry large plastic bags to keep your supplies dry and for taking out litter, and a small bucket or large sponge for bailing water and mud. Don't forget a map and insect repellent.
RESOURCES—BOATLOADS OF INFORMATION
You can purchase canoeing and kayaking gear at your local sporting goods store. You can also find it on the following internet sites:
For information on canoeing, try the American Canoe Association and their Paddler Magazine at www.acanet.org or (703) 451-0141.
Sea Kayaker Magazine is the best resource for non-whitewater paddling. Their site is located at www.seakayakermag.com.
Mike Edleman at www.foldingkayaks.org was very helpful in reviewing the accuracy of what we wrote in this date. His website has great information on folding kayaks.
Try www.gorp.com, home of the Great Outdoor Recreation Pages. This site has information on everything from paddling through the Tonga to basic paddling strokes for every kayaker.
Don't miss the site of The National Organization for Rivers (NORS) at www.nationalrivers.org for books, videos and a large list of rivers around the country and around the world. You can phone them at (719) 579-8759.
For information on canoeing and kayaking as well as links and state-by-state information, check out the excellent online resource www.adventuresports.com.
CLUBS FOR PEOPLE WHO LIKE A GOOD PADDLING
A canoeing or kayaking club can provide you with essential help and advice. Many clubs run training courses for all levels from beginners to experts. They will advise you on how to paddle, where to paddle, what to paddle, and most importantly, they can help provide friends for you to paddle with. Search the sites listed above.
If you are into nudist canoeing, try www.canoeing.org, site of The Paddling Bares Canoe Club.
DIFFERENCES IN LENGTH—IMPRESS YOUR DATE
There are several different types of kayaks—sea kayaks are much longer than whitewater kayaks. The extra length of sea kayaks helps them to track straighter and to go faster. Whitewater kayaks are short little things that are designed to be highly maneuverable. They might not feel as stable as their longer cousins, but they offer you more turning control with each stroke. They can be great fun in waves and rapids, and are excellent for exploring rivers. With more traditional kayaks, you sit inside of the shell and are covered with a spray deck. With some of the newer kayaks, you sit on top. Sit-on-top kayaks are easy to get on and require no special rolling skills. The downside is that you'll always be sitting in water, so they are only for very warm weather. There are even inflatable kayaks.
IN AND OUT
If you are going on a guided trip, you can leave the planning to the guide. Otherwise, you will need a place to put the canoe into the water and a place to take it out. If you are canoeing on a lake, these are usually one-in-the-same. If you are canoeing on a river, the place where you take it out will be far from where you stick it in, so make sure you've made arrangements for getting from the take-out location back to your car. If you are renting the canoe ask if transportation to the start is included in the price of the rental. Having to carry a canoe several miles is not a good way to impress your date unless you are romancing a pack mule.
YOUR FIRST TIME
For your first time out, try a quiet, calm lake where you can learn the basic skills of moving forward, backwards and sideways. This is also a good place to try out your safety equipment (remember those Kayaker's Condoms?). Allow extra time for taking in the scenery and wildlife. Have a picnic or take a hike.
