Canoeing and kayaking stand out from other water sports because they demand a lot of mental strength from participants. Aside from being intense, they are fun and have many health benefits. The following article will look at canoeing and kayaking in greater detail.

Canoeing

To participate in this sport, you need a canoe and an oar. A canoe is a vessel that is open on the top and has two pointed ends. It can accommodate one or two paddlers who sit or kneel in the canoe. The canoe is propelled forward with a single-blade paddle by the paddler who uses his strength.

As a sport, canoeing started when fishers and soldiers raced home from fishing and war. The first local and national canoeing competitions were in the 19th century in Great Britain and North America. Today, canoeing is organized from club level to Olympic level. Canoeing events were first added to the Olympics in 1936 for men and 1948 for women. Canoeing is primarily done in rivers and lakes.

Kayaking

Kayaking is a great watersport and is quite similar to canoeing. To participate, you require a kayak and a double-bladed paddle. A kayak is a narrow vessel that is pointed on both ends. A kayaker sits in an enclosed deck to keep their legs dry and propels the kayak forward using the double-paddled oar.

Most kayaks usually accommodate only one kayaker, but you can get tandem vessels that accommodate two people. Kayaking was first introduced as an event in the Olympics in the summer of 1936. Because kayaks can handle big waves and winds, most of the races are organized on oceans and big lakes.

Wrap-up

With many kayaking and canoeing competitions organized worldwide, you should definitely try signing up for one of them. Canoeing and kayaking are fun and competitive watersports with great health benefits.