Canoes
What you need to know about canoeing and how to find the right canoe.
Canoeing combines sport, enjoyment of nature and relaxation and is a great leisure activity for all age groups. On tours on lakes, rivers and canals, you can quickly leave the stress of everyday life far behind you and experience the landscape from unique perspectives. If you want to make canoeing your regular hobby and want to buy a canoe, we will give you valuable tips on how to find the right boat and enjoy pure fun on the water.
Basics about canoeing
“Canoe” is actually the generic term for boats that are moved by paddling. A basic distinction is made between kayaks and canoes. Here we use the word canoe synonymously for Canadians, as is commonly done. A Canadian is a narrow, usually open boat that is propelled with the help of a paddle while kneeling or sitting. In contrast to a rowing boat, one looks in the direction of travel. The usually symmetrically shaped boats with pointed ends were originally invented by the North American natives who moved in them on the rivers and used them for hunting and transporting food and goods. These forerunners of today’s models were made of birch wood and were up to ten meters long. Contemporary Canadians are often made of materials such as aluminum or plastic instead of wood and are much shorter. In addition to canoes with fixed hulls, so-called rigid canoes, there are now also numerous folding canoes and inflatable canoes.
Canoes usually have a bench that allows you to take a kneeling or sitting position. Many canoes are suitable for two or more people, which is why canoeing is also a popular leisure activity for families. If there are several people in a canoe, it is easier to move around because the individual does not have to switch sides while paddling. Experienced canoeists, however, know techniques with which they can move the Canadians by paddling alone without changing sides. Typical for Canadians is a light construction and a shallow draft, which makes the boats very manoeuvrable and they are also suitable for shallow waters. The Canadian is widest in the middle, which makes it less likely to overturn. Since Canadians are so stable and offer plenty of storage space for luggage, they are often used for multi-day tours on rivers and lakes.
Is the Canadian the right boat for you?
Before buying a canoe, make sure that the Canadian is the right boat for you. Alternatively, a kayak would be an option. Because of its stability, the Canadian is preferred by beginners and families with children. In general, the Canadian is a good choice for everyone who does not like to be alone on the water, although there are also single-seaters. Canadians offer plenty of space for equipment and are great for longer tours on rivers and lakes. If you would like to experience adventure in the wilderness of Sweden or Norway with family or friends, for example, then a Canadian is perfect for you. But Germany also offers excellent conditions for hiking trips on rivers, which can look back on a long tradition here. The only requirement for excursions in the Canadian is a solid knowledge of swimming. If you have never sat in a canoe before, the best way to get started with this leisure activity is to take a course from a water sports provider or club. There you will learn how to get on and off as well as the correct paddling techniques.
Canadians vs. Kayak
In general, the Canadian is seen more as a means of transport, while the kayak is more about the sporty aspect. The demarcation is not that simple, however, because there are also whitewater canoes, which we also offer in our shop, in which the sporting pleasure and the thrill are guaranteed not to be neglected. Nevertheless, everyone who wants the fastest possible speed is often better off with a kayak. This is more manoeuvrable and faster, but not so stable. Canadians are mainly intended for longer tours with several people on rivers – if adventure spirit, family fun and enjoyment of nature are in the foreground for you, you will find your luck with these boats. The Canadian, on the other hand, is less suitable for tours at sea because he cannot cope well with the strong sea wind. A sea kayak would be a better choice for this.
Another difference between Canadians and kayaks is in the paddle. While the Canadians are driven with a single-blade paddle, a double paddle is used in a kayak. Furthermore, in contrast to the open Canadians, a kayak usually has a canopy that protects against water ingress into the boat on troubled waters. Both types of boats have their advantages and disadvantages. In summary, it can be said that a kayak is more suitable for individuals with sporting ambitions, while in Canadians adventurers who are in the mood for longer tours, as well as couples and families get their money’s worth.
What types of boats are there among Canadians?
On the one hand, Canadians can be categorized according to their type of use. For example, you can find high-quality All-round Canadian, which are ideal for all tours on rivers and lakes. In addition there is Touringkanadierwhich are primarily intended for longer tours on larger rivers and are characterized by a lot of storage space and high seating comfort. The sporty ones Whitewater Canadiansthat can be easily accelerated and maneuvered guarantee the best driving pleasure on rushing white water rivers.
On the other hand, Canadians can also be distinguished in terms of their construction. So there are Rigid canoethat are made of materials such as plastic, wood or aluminum and are particularly stable and durable. Due to the “one-piece” construction, they impress with their excellent driving behavior. On the other hand, rigid hull boats are also characterized by their high weight, which makes transport difficult. Anyone who buys such a hard-shell canoe needs a special roof rack for the car and often a boat cart for transport on land. Particularly inexpensive models are often very heavy, while higher-quality rigid-hull canoes are usually made of a light material such as aluminum or fiberglass. In terms of transport and storage, however, they are more practical Folding canoe, which are composed of a dismountable inner frame and a flexible boat skin. The inner frame made of aluminum or plastic, for example, can be easily transported and stored in the disassembled state. When it comes to handling, folding canoes are by no means worse than hard-shell canoes. Disadvantages, however, are the time required for assembly and dismantling as well as a somewhat faster wear and tear compared to the rigid hull boats. Another type of canoe is that made up of air chambers that need to be inflated before use Inflatable canoe. In terms of transport and storage, it offers at least the same advantages as the folding canoe. The handling characteristics are also good in high-quality models, but of course these boats cannot match the rigidity and stability of a rigid hull canoe. Transport is the deciding factor in choosing a folding canoe or an inflatable canoe. After all, anyone who travels to remote regions for adventurous tours by train or plane cannot take a rigid-hull Canadian with them.
Equipment for canoeing
Before you go on the water with the canoe, you should also think a few things about the equipment you need. We’ll tell you below which pieces of equipment should definitely not be missing:
Paddle: The most important utensil for canoeing besides the boat itself is a paddle. When buying a canoe, it is usually not included, but of course the tour cannot start without a paddle. Paddle paddles are made of different materials and in different lengths between about 140 and 160 cm. The bigger you are, the longer the paddle should be. In our shop you will find a well thought-out selection of paddles for beginners and advanced paddles.
Life jacket: Every canoeist should wear a life jacket for safety reasons, even if he is a good swimmer. If the boat capsizes and you fall into the water, your clothing will pull you down and you will need a lot more strength than swimming in a bathing suit to stay on the surface. In addition, there are sometimes adverse weather conditions, low water temperatures and other factors that can make such a situation dangerous. Play it safe and always wear a life jacket so that the canoe trip is a carefree and safe pleasure.
Dress: Functional clothing that keeps you warm even in cool and wet conditions is advantageous for longer canoe tours. Anyone who is regularly out in the canoe in wind and weather should get a wetsuit. There is also a paddle jacket specially developed for canoeists that has water-repellent and breathable properties. Make sure you have the right footwear: neoprene socks that keep your feet dry, combined with flat sports shoes, are not a bad choice. Water shoes are also good in summer.
Packsack: A pack sack should not be missing on any tour, because your mobile phone, wallet, a change of clothes and provisions can be stowed in it in a waterproof manner. There are different models that offer more or less storage space.
Spraydeck: Canadians are open boats without a canopy, and water gets into them from time to time, for example through waves, rain or paddling. In order to prevent this, a neoprene spraydeck is advantageous, which is stretched over the coaming and allows the water to drain off. Anyone who regularly travels by canoe, even in adverse conditions, should not do without a spraydeck.
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