Adventure Canoeing

The range of canoe sports is very large. Once you’ve decided canoeing is for you it’s quite possible to specialise in one or more disciplines in addition to general recreational paddling.

There are 3 basic types of canoe:

• Kayak - this is what most people think of when considering canoeing. It’s a closed cockpit boat in which the paddler sits and uses a double ended paddle 
• Canoe - this is similar to the kayak except the paddler kneels and uses a single ended paddle 
• Open canoe - is what you think of American Indians using. An open boat, usually larger than a kayak, the paddlers (there are usually more than 1) kneel and use single ended paddles.

Variety of disciplines:

• Slalom - an Olympic sport. Paddlers are timed over a course of 20 - 25 numbered gates, collecting penalties for any missed or touched. Entry level is division 4 for beginners, paddlers moving up through the divisions to Premier by via the promotion system. 
• Sprint - as it names suggests, paddlers covering comparatively short distances in as short a time as possible. The course itself is on flat water, closely resembling the sort used for rowing. 
• Marathon - similar to Sprint racing, but obviously over much longer distances. Courses commonly follow flattish rivers and contain portages past obstacles. 

• White Water Racing - Along the same lines as Sprint and Marathon, a WWR course is along a big river with numerous rapids, paddlers start at intervals, and the fastest time time to the finish wins. 
• Rodeo - competitions are held on specific rapids or waves where paddlers take it in turns to perform tricks like cartwheels, pirouettes, surfing with and without paddles. Displays are scored by a panel of judges. Polo - 5 boats to team, a flat stretch of water - often a swimming pool, with goals at each end end, and 1 ball. Players need the ability to roll upright after capsizing since tackling opponents by trying to push them in is permitted.
• Sea Kayaking - is paddling on the sea. This can range from comparatively calm coastal waters to paddling on the open ocean, and can call for a great deal of commitment and experience from the paddler. 
• Touring & recreational - not a competitive sport as such, and the most popular form of canoeing. A group of paddlers out canoeing just for fun.

Spoil yourself

Spoiling yourself with canoeing depends on personal preference.You might like to take your family on a canoeing holiday, the Ardeche in France is a popular destination for people wanting to enjoy the outdoors, good weather and an enjoyable paddle in open boats through the countryside.

Or you might be an adrenaline junkie.

Travelling the world can find you some fantastic white water. For example, you might like to try one of the big rivers in Nepal;

• The Sun Kosi - a long river where the quality of rapids and scenery improve as you progress down the river
• The Karnali - in NW Nepal, large volume rapids, deep gorges making the river feel very remote, brilliant scenery and wildlife
• The Bhote Kosi - rises on the border between Tibet and Nepal and has very big, very exciting rapids towards the start. Further downstream the river is calms down slightly, but is still tremendous fun.
• The Marsyandi - the name says it all. Marsyandi translates as ‘The Raging River’

Or sea kayaking in Iceland, one of the best sea canoeing locations in the world, offering trips for highly skilled paddlers and more sheltered regions for the less experinced. Iceland has an interesting and rugged coastline and plenty of small islands to explore.

For the ultimate in spoiling yourself, and a quite incredible undertaking, check out the Trans-Global Sea Kayak Expedition. Check out Jammer Boat and Canoe for fiber glass canoes and a great intro to the water.