Most people who go kayaking use a sport canoes which is a lightweight kayak made of fiberglass. However, other types of kayaks are available for whitewater sports. Kayaks are used for leisure activities or competitive sports. The original kayaks were made of animal skins by the Inuit and these boats held one or two people.

Kayaks often have double-bladed paddles, whereas canoes come with a variety of paddles. Kayaks can also be used for traveling and racing. In general, canoes are used when travelling on rivers, or open waters where there is no apparent danger.

Canoes are lightweight boats, both narrow and pointed with the points identical at each end. Canoes can be paddled by one or more passengers and can be used for travelling and fishing, as well as other sporting hobbies. Whether you’re kayaking or canoeing, you’re responsible for your own affairs and life, since there are times when adventuring out in the wilderness can be dangerous.

Whitewater kayaking is a popular sporting event, and like all sports, it’s important to know and practise all safety rules.

Getting Out of a Capsized Kayak

In this situation, you should understand the difference between kayaking and canoeing. If you flip or capsize a canoe, you’ll dump into the water and you can swim back to shores. If the canoe is in violent waters, you must avoid grabbing hold of the canoe and trying to control the boat, but rather, you want it to guide its own way.

However, when kayaking in whitewaters, you must remember that a kayak is closed around you. If a kayak capsizes, you’ll hang upside down under water. Therefore, you should practice holding your breathe for 30 seconds or longer before venturing out in a kayak. If you’re a beginner, you should consider wearing snorkels, which will help you see while under water if this situation should arise.

If you’re in a canoe, you’ll have an easier time since you can roll the canoe and attempt to re-board it. When kayaking, it’s important to learn how to use a “quick release” tool which should be built into the thigh straps. Use the quick release along with your spray skirts, as well as your thigh straps. Experts can usually release their body from a kayak in about four seconds. It could take you ten seconds or longer depending on how much practice you’ve had ahead of time.

In a kayak, once you’ve released the straps and spray, hold both sides of kayak and lightly pry your body out. Next, clear your feet, moving them out of the kayak carefully. Once this is accomplished, you’re free to swim away.

The most critical point to remember if your kayak should capsize is to stay calm. Never try to rush, just relax and stay calm and carry on with the procedures you’ve practiced.

Estimate Weight Distribution and Stability

It’s important to understand that shallow sketched boats, such as canoes (especially lightweight canoes) are sensitive to the distribution of weight whether you’re floating on the water or boarding the boat. Just keep in mind when kayaking to board slowly, and take your time when floating in whitewaters.

All boats, including kayaks, base the gravity of its center weight on the total weight of both passengers and the boat. In other words, the term used in kayaking “Center of Gravity” is “the spot” where the total weight of the kayak, plus all its passengers and gear, can be produced and/or placed on the boats hull.
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