Canoeing, Kayaking or Rowing: What’s the Difference?

If you love being out on the water, you’ve probably seen people gliding across lakes and rivers in sleek boats, some with paddles, others with oars. At first glance, kayaking, canoeing, and rowing may look similar, but they’re actually quite different in technique, equipment, and tradition. Each of these sports can be done recreationally or competitively including at an Olympic level. Let’s dive into what sets these water sports apart!

Kayaking

In kayaking, the paddler sits low inside a closed or open-deck kayak, legs extended forward, and uses a double-bladed paddle. Each stroke alternates from side to side, providing balance and forward motion.

Key Features of Kayaking:

  • Seating position: Seated with legs stretched out in front.
  • Paddle type: Double-bladed paddle.
  • Boat design: Narrow and streamlined for speed and maneuverability.
  • Motion: The paddler faces forward, pulling water on alternating sides.
  • Environments: Rivers, lakes, oceans, and whitewater rapids.
  • Number of people: recreationally 1 or 2, competitively 1, 2 or 4.

Canoeing

Canoeing is often seen as the more traditional or family-friendly paddling option. The canoeist kneels or sits on a raised seat inside an open boat, using a single-bladed paddle to push the water on one side at a time.

Key Features of Canoeing:

  • Seating position: Kneeling or sitting on a seat.
  • Paddle type: Single-bladed paddle.
  • Boat design: Open-topped with higher sides for stability.
  • Motion: The paddler faces forward, paddling primarily on one side.
  • Environments: Rivers, lakes, oceans, and whitewater rapids.
  • Number of people: recreationally 1, 2 or 3, competitively 1, 2, 4, 6, or 15.

Rowing

Rowing is quite different from kayaking and canoeing, both in technique and purpose. In rowing, athletes sit facing backward and use oars that are attached to the boat with oarlocks. In a racing boat the seat slides as the rower moves during the stroke, allowing their legs to contribute most of the power. The motion emphasizes coordination, rhythm, and power. In sweep rowing, each rower has 1 oar and rows on one side, whereas in sculling, each rower has 2 oars and rows on both sides.

Key Features of Rowing:

  • Seating position: Seated facing backward on a sliding seat.
  • Paddle type: Long oars on either side, fixed in place with oarlocks.
  • Boat design: Long, narrow shells designed for speed and efficiency.
  • Motion: The rower faces backward, and pulls the oar(s) through the water on both sides
  • Environment: Primarily flatwater lakes and rivers.
  • Number of people: recreationally 1 or 2, competitively 1, 2, 4, or 8.

Visit the Saskatchewan Rowing Association to find a rowing club near you!

Here are some fun videos that show the difference between kayaking and rowing side by side!