CANOEING & KAYAKING
Information for those who don't know.

1) Want to go Canoeing?
2) What to buy your first canoe or kayak?

The staff at 'Kayaks and Paddles' can help you make informed choices.

We will help you with choose the boat and equipment you will need.
We will give you impartial advice.
We can help you make contact with BCU affiliated clubs and find approved training courses.

What are the main differences between canoes & kayaks?

An Open Canoe


We sell canoes from
Old Town Canoes
Mad River Canoes
Venture Canoes
Pelican Canoes

Open Canoe Paddle

Canoe Paddles can be made from Wood or Aluminium shafts with plastic blades.

Open Canoe or 'Canadian'
(no deck).
You use a single-bladed paddle.
Click for more information on canoe paddles - Paddle Info

When canoeing you can do it Kneeling or Sitting.
The canoes available today are closely related to those used by American Indians (hence the term 'Canadian'). Most are made from plastic and can be paddled by 1 to 4 people.

A Kayak


We sell kayaks from
Dagger
Perception
P+H
Venture Kayaks
Pyranha

Kayak Paddle


Kayak paddles start from £30 for you entry level flat water recreational use and can go up too £250+ for you expedition Sea Kayaking or Extreme White Water Kayaking.
You use a double-bladed paddle.
Click for more information on kayak paddles - Paddle Info

Closed Cockpit (decked). Sit in side the kayak and you can put a spraydeck around your waist and over the cockpit to stop egress of water.
Kayaks are related to those used by Eskimos for hunting but made with modern materials. The range of kayaks available is large, covering the many varied specialisation's (sea kayaking, touring, surfing, whitewater, freestyle etc).

We use the term 'canoeing' to cover paddling in both canoes and kayaks.

Which Canoe/Kayak is right for you?

Picture of Perception Sundance

Picture of Perception Kayaks Kiwi 2

These boats are stable with a large open cockpit. Fun to paddle on calm/sheltered water. Excellent for beginners or those who want a gentle paddle. They are good family boats and are available in singles or doubles.
The Perception Sundance & Dagger Fiesta and the Perception Kiwi 2 & Kiwi 3 are highly recommended. These kayaks are made of plastic, polyethylene.
More information on these types of Kayak

Picture & Details of Ocean Kayaks Scrambler on the Ocean
Picture & Details of YAK Board with backrest in Surf

These are a range of kayaks without a cockpit that you sit on top of. They are wide, stable and self-draining fun boats for all the family. These kayaks are made of plastic, polyethylene.
More information on these types of Kayak

Picture & Details of Perception ARC

Good all-round boats that are used to teach paddling skills by clubs and centres. Ideal for those who don't want to paddle in extreme conditions. Kayaks for all sizes of paddler. Suggested boats are the Dancers and Pirouettes. These kayaks are made of plastic, polyethylene.
More information on these types of Kayak

Picture & Details of Perception Carolina

Longer boat's that track well with storage compartments for camping and other kit. Ideal for calmer coastal paddling, lakes and canals. Faster than general purpose boats and sometimes fitted with a rudder. Singles and doubles available. Suggested boats are the Acadia, Carolina. These kayaks are made of plastic, polyethylene.
More information on these types of Kayak

Picture & Details of North Shore Polar Buccaneer

Sea kayaks are faster with a smaller cockpit. They track well and are suitable for touring and on the open sea. Hatches allow for storage of expedition equipment. Often fitted with a retractable skeg or rudder. Some boats are made from plastics and others are built from composites. Suggested boats are the P& H Capella, and the North Shore sea kayak range. Most sea kayaks are made of fibreglass.
More information on these types of Kayak

Picture & Details of Perception Method Air

Short high performance kayaks with a closed cockpit. Paddled in surf and whitewater in more extreme conditions. These boats are for experienced paddlers only and training essential.
There is a huge range of boats to choose from. These kayaks are made of plastic, polyethylene.
More information on these types of Kayak

Picture of Old Town Allagash 174 Canoe

Open Canoe / Canadian Canoe paddlers use a single bladed paddle. Ideal for family canoeing, canal & river touring, carrying one or more paddlers and their equipment. Canoes come in array of materials, Crosslink 3, Polylink, Corelite, Royalex, Fibre Glass and Wood.
More information on these types of Canoe

You need more than just an open canoe or kayak to go canoeing.
You need to stay safe and warm.

Having got your canoe or kayak, you cannot paddle on any bit of water you find. Some inland water and canals require a license to paddle on them. Most inland water is controlled by 'access agreements', negotiated by the BCU, that MUST be complied with. Some areas in ports and harbours are also controlled. The sea coastline is largely accessible for paddling, but restrictions may apply in certain areas (naval areas and shipping lanes). If in doubt ask.

Thanks for taking the time to read this page.
We are sure that you will enjoy the sport of canoeing.
If you need anything, just surf across to our Catalogue Pages

Canoe Shop Main Index
Open Canoes / Touring Kayaks / Sea Kayaks / Sit-on-Tops / Rock Climbing / Inflatables / White Water Kayaks
/ Family Kayaks / General Purpose Kayaks / Children's Kayaks / Fishing/Angling Sit On Tops

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