Canoeing Tips

Canoeing can be an adventure sport as well as a recreational activity, which primarily involves propelling a canoe - a small narrow boat, with the help of a paddle. Even though the term 'canoeing' is used in a generic sense for the activities which use canoes as well as kayaks, there is a slight difference between canoeing and kayaking. One of the most prominent difference is that a single bladed paddle is used in canoeing, while a double-bladed paddle is used in kayaking. All this may make it a bit confusing, but this activity is surely not. Furthermore, the tips given here won't just make things easier, but also make them enjoyable for you.

Tips for Your Canoeing Escapade

Canoeing basics start with choosing the right canoe and the paddle. A 15 ft canoe is ideal if you intend to go canoeing alone, in a narrow river or creek, but if you intend to go with a partner, in a wide river, you will require a longer variant. Opting for the basic paddling and rescue lessons is yet another important inclusion in the simple tips for canoeing. This will help you to get the techniques right, and minimize your chances of error and disaster. Among the various equipment in your canoeing checklist, rescue bag is one of the most important. It would be utterly foolish to endanger your life in a rescue situation.

Along with the canoeing equipment, you need to be well versed with the water body you intend to visit as well. If it is a canoe for two individuals, the person sitting behind is the person in command. This person will be in charge of steering the canoe or giving other instructions of navigating the canoe. You also need to abide by the simple rules, like sitting properly without leaning on either side, or getting your canoe in a perpendicular position when a wave is approaching.

Both these factors can topple your canoe, and endanger your life. More importantly, you need to know your limitations and ensure that your fitness levels are excellent. Canoeing requires immense physical endurance, and hence this last tip is undoubtedly the most important one in the lot.

Canoeing Safety Tips

Your safety is a major concern in any activity you do, and canoeing is no exception. Given below are some safety tips for canoeing which can ensure an adventurous, yet, a safe outing for you.

• It is ideal to go canoeing with a partner, as it will be helpful if either person suffers from an injury. It is also bound to be more enjoyable if you have company.
• You need to make sure that the paddles you choose are of correct size, or else it will be difficult to use them, and this in turn will tire you faster.
• It is always wise to carry an extra paddle, as there might be an unfortunate incident wherein your paddle may either break or you may lose it.
• You also need to make sure that you are using hand gloves while paddling. You wouldn't want to end up with blisters half way down the river.
• If the canoe capsizes, you need to hang on to it to save your life. If you are stuck with a capsized canoe in a current, it is better off to stay on the opposite side of where the canoe is heading. This will ensure that you don't get stuck between the canoe and any obstacle in the course of the river.

These were some simple tips, following which can ensure you one of the most memorable adventure outing of your life. When going out on adventures or opting for some extreme sports, you can expect the unexpected, but that doesn't mean you stay off guard and let a disaster get you.