The Power of Paddling 1 Hopping into a large, fast boat equipped with a powerful motor is one
way to explore a waterway. Using people power to paddle a much smaller
watercraft is another. Those interested in paddling have two main choices:
canoes and kayaks.
Kayaks and Canoes: What's the Difference?
2 Kayaks and canoes have some of the same characteristics, such as
their relatively small size and lack of an engine. There are, however, several
key differences between the two types of watercraft. A canoe is open. Many
kayaks are enclosed and cover the paddler's legs. Most canoes can hold
several people, whereas a kayak is usually designed for a single paddler.
The kayaker typically sits with his or her legs straight out in front, while a
canoeist kneels or sits with the knees bent. Even the paddles used to move
the boats through the water are different. A canoe paddle has just one blade
to push through the water and a handle at the other end. A kayak paddle has
two blades, one at each end of the paddle, and the paddle is held in the