Types of Canoes

For a beginner canoe enthusiast, the different types of canoes available may not matter that much. But as one begins to dig deeper and learn more about canoes as a hobby as well as an enjoyable pastime, you can't fail to notice that there are, after all a history full of different canoe types to try out. Here are just some fine examples for the keen canoe enthusiast to check out.

Canoe types nowadays are divided into two types- the traditional and the modern designed canoes. Traditional designs include early canoes that always make use of natural materials available in the local area. These are the canoes that are the predecessors of the newer and more versatile versions now available today.

One perfect example of a traditional canoe is the dugout. It is usually made from a piece of log hollowed out into a canoe. This is the simplest of canoe designs and has been considered as one of the earliest forms of canoe designs. Dugouts may be equipped with outriggers to provide better stability.

Another traditional canoe type is the birch-bark canoe. Often used in the temperate regions of Eastern North America, this type of canoe is made out of a wooden frame and then covered with bark of a birch tree to form the hull. The birch bark is usually pitched in order to make the canoe waterproof. Out of this canoe type evolved the wood-and-canvas canoe.

Instead of using birch bark for the hull, canvas was used when it became easier to acquire than the bark of the white birch tree. Canvas is more, durable, flexible and can be readily supplied when needed than the usual birch bark and became a more welcome alternative for canoes made in North America somewhere during the 19th century.

But as better materials and designs were being developed along the way, canoes began to take a more modern look. And today, there are a number of modern canoe types that are available for the canoe enthusiast. Most of today's modern canoe types are being made for a specified intended use, something that traditional canoe types weren't being made for. There are now modern canoes made for speed, for comfort, for maneuverability and even for portability.

One modern canoe type available today is the touring canoe. It is a canoe made out of lightweight materials and is built for comfort as well as having an adequate cargo space. Another modern type is the whitewater canoe built for rougher canoe rides. Such canoes may look like kayaks but are still paddled while kneeling inside. Then there is the racing canoe which is built primarily for speed.

This modern canoe has a slightly narrower construction than other canoe types to take advantage of speed but may suffer from having lesser stability. This type of canoe is usually paddled only on one side with the passenger kneeling only on one knee.

Types of Canoeing

There are a lot of watersports that people can learn. This can be on the surface or under and one activity that requires a lot of upper body strength is canoeing.

Years ago, canoeing was done by the native Indians for traveling and fishing. As man has evolved, these things have become obsolete and are better known these days simply as recreational activities.

Canoes are generally powered using single or doubled padded paddles. You can either remain in a sitting or kneeling position whichever is more comfortable.

Those who decide to try this solo should paddle alternately from one side to the other to stay on a straight course. Of course, this will be much easier if there is someone in the back helping out.

There are different types of canoeing, which mainly depends on the condition of the water so you have to know one from the other.

First is called whitewater canoeing. This is considered to be the most challenging of them all because you or the group have to fight against the rough current that also happens to be the most practiced form.

The second is called sea kayaking. People who want to take it slow can try this out but be on the lookout for changes in the current that could also be a problem.

Those who want to go out to water resorts situated along rivers and lakes can enjoy padding a canoe and camp somewhere in the wilderness and come back the following day.

Competitions are organized and regulated by the International Canoe Federation. In fact, this is considered to be an Olympic sport aside from the Sprint and the Slalom that are held annually.

In countries particularly in Asia, dragon boat racing is quite popular and resembles that of a canoe. The difference is that someone beats a drum in the front with a crew of 12 or more working together racing to the finish line.

Whenever people decide to head out on the water, it is best to have a lifejacket. This device is the only thing that will keep the individual on the surface especially if the downed member doesn't know how to swim.

This will also allow the others to easily find you and then bring you into the canoe. First timers are advised to take a few classes first on land to be able to learn the basics before going with others on the canoe.