CANOEING AND

KAYAKING
What is the difference?
CANOES
» Wide open deck
» Canoer sits on a raised seat or kneels at the bottom of a
boat and uses a single bladed paddle
» Canoes are originally made from large tree trunks
» The frame is covered preferably by lightweight bark of
birch tree because of its waterproofing qualities
» The more well known version of canoe was introduced
by North American Indians
» Oldest known canoe, Pesse Canoe, believed to be
constructed between 8200 and 7600 BC in Netherlands
» CANOE – Carib word “kenu” means dugout
KAYAKS
» Covered deck
» Kayaker extends legs and are seated low and uses a
double-bladed paddle
» Kayaks were individualized because each kayak is
crafted by the user
» The frame is built from wood or whalebone skeleton
and the wife’s job is to stitch the seal skin to cover the
frame.
» Whale fats were used to waterproof the boat
» Oldest existing kayak are exhibited in North America
Department of the State Museum of Ethnology in
Munich
» KAYAK – from Inuit and Aleut tribes “qajak” means
man’s boat
PARTS OF A CANOE
YOKE – a beam in the center of a
canoe that allows the canoe to rest
STERN – rear end
on a person’s shoulder when
portgaging
SEAT – for paddler at
the bow part (if in GUNWALE – structural
tandem) support and it defines
the shape of the boat

BOW – front part THWART – crossbars

reinforcing the canoe
and prevents sides from
pulling apart under load
PARTS OF A KAYAK

DECK – top
half of the kayak
HATCH – covering
on the deck where
food and gears can be
stored.

FOOTBRACE – found
inside where feet rest COCKPIT – opening in the kayak’s
deck where the paddler sits

HULL – bottom half

of the kayak
EQUIPMENTS NEEDED
» Personal floatation
Paddles - Are equipment used
device
to maneuver the boat » Helmet
» Wetsuits
» Lightweight shoes
ya k
ka » Water bottle
» Extra clothes and
food
e » Sunscreen or hats
n o
ca » Whistle
» First aid kit
CHARACTERISTICS OF BOATS
Length Beam
– distance from the tip of the stern to the – widest part of the boat
tip of the bow
• Wider is more stable, narrow is faster but less stable
• Longer boats are faster and move in a straight line but
hard to maneuver; best when touring • Narrower boat is ideal for traveling a bog distance

• Shorter boats are easier to maneuver, and are lighter; • Wider boat is suitable for bird-watching,
better choice for smaller lakes and rivers photography or fishing
CHARACTERISTICS OF BOATS
Bottom shape Profile or sides
– how stable the boat is of a boat
• Flat – good stability, • Tumblehome design – sides of the boat curve inward,
• Round – designed for speed and efficiency, allows the paddler to reach the water easily
actually easier to propel through the water, • Flared sides – sides of the boat curve outward, so as
difficult to balance it goes deeper in the water, there is a more stable
• Vee – between flat and round bottom design, good feeling
all-around performance • Straight sides – combination of the two
HOW TO CANOE/KAYAK?

1. Learn how to get in and out of the boats

• Kayak
• Entering from the dock
• Getting from the shore
• Canoe
• Entering from the shore
• Getting from the dock
HOW TO CANOE/KAYAK?

2. Learn the correct posture

• Kayaking
• Do not lean on backrest
• Keep legs together
• Canoeing
• Relax
• Lean slightly forward
• Legs slightly bent
HOW TO CANOE/KAYAK?

3. Learn proper way of holding the paddle

ya k
ka

n oe
ca
HOW TO CANOE/KAYAK?

4. Basics of making the boat move forward

• Kayaking
• Canoeing
1. Catch
2. Power Phase
3. Exit and Recovery
 LEVELS OF DIFFICULTY IN SEA KAYAKING
*Difficulty is measured according to wind, waves, current, tide rips, length of open-water crossing, and
shoreline conditions.*
Level Wind Sea State and waves Length of Open-Water Crossing

Novice Conditions Calm wind Calm to rippled Travel along shore with many easy
(Minimal Risk) (less than 8 knots) landing areas
Beginner Conditions Light winds Calm to light chop Short open crossing less than 1.5
(Low Risk) (0-11 knots) nautical miles (nmi); many easy lading
areas

Intermediate Conditions Moderate winds Moderate with wind Open water crossings less than 5 nmi;
(Moderate Risk) (12-19 knots) waves near 0.5 intermittent landing areas

Advance Conditions Strong winds (near 20 knots) Rough sea state, wind Open water crossings greater than 5 nmi
(Considerable Risk) waves near 1 meter, and with infrequent landing areas and some
tide rips greater than 3 with difficult landing sites
knots
INTERNATIONAL SCALE OF RIVER DIFFICULTY
*The rivers are rated according to the technical difficulty and the skill level required to traverse the river*

CLASSIFICATION DESCRIPTION

Class I rapids : Easy » Moderate to fast moving water

» Waves and riffles are small
» Passages clear or few but obvious obstructions
» Little maneuvering is needed
» Minimal risk to swimmers
» Rescue is easy

Class II rapids: Novice » Easy rapids

» Wide channels with some obstacles but are easily missed
» Medium-sized waves
» Sometimes maneuvering may be required
» Rarely swimmers are injured
» Rescue is easy
INTERNATIONAL SCALE OF RIVER DIFFICULTY
*The rivers are rated according to the technical difficulty and the skill level required to traverse the river*

CLASSIFICATION
Class III: Intermediate
DESCRIPTION
» Moderate rapids, strong current
» Waves are bigger and may swamp an open canoe but it comes
irregularly
» Obstacles require complex maneuvers
» Narrow passages are generally straightforward
» Scouting is recommended
» Self-rescue is still manageable but group help may be needed
» Big splashes
INTERNATIONAL SCALE OF RIVER DIFFICULTY
*The rivers are rated according to the technical difficulty and the skill level required to traverse the river*

CLASSIFICATION DESCRIPTION
Class IV: Advanced » Long, powerful, and strong rapids requiring accurate handling of boat
» Passages are constricted by obstacles
» Precise maneuvering skills
» Scouting is necessary
» Moderate to high risk of injury to swimmers
» Self-rescue is difficult
» Group assistance is necessary but must possess rescue skills
» Eskimo roll is recommended
INTERNATIONAL SCALE OF RIVER DIFFICULTY
*The rivers are rated according to the technical difficulty and the skill level required to traverse the river*

CLASSIFICATION DESCRIPTION

Class V: Expert » Long obstructed, and very violent rapids

» Massive waves often following one after the other
» Big drop, extremely congested channels
» Requires high level of maneuvering skills
» Scouting is mandatory but difficult
» Dangerous for swimming and difficult for rescue

Class VI: Extreme and » Almost never been attempted

Exploratory Rapids » Extremely difficult, unpredictable, and definitely a life hazard
» Rescue may be close to impossible
 IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER

Know first your skills in swimming and canoeing or kayaking

Avoid paddling alone, far from coastline, or in routes of ships
Yield to safety and know where to go in case of emergency
Always wear personal floatation device and other safety equipment
Keep hydrated as you will be under the sun
 IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
Check weather conditions
Always plan ahead. This includes studying the river maps ahead of time
Never forget to put your things in waterproof bags
Orientations given by facilitators/leaders are important.
Equipment should be tried and always checked.
THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING!