Fascinated by paddling sports but unsure which is right for you? Whether you’re considering kayaking, dragon boating, canoeing, or paddle boarding, understanding how these sports compare can help you make the best choice.
We also often get asked if the experience with one boat transfers over to the other, e.g.: “I have a lot of dragon boating experience, can I just rent a kayak”?
We created this overview to help you choose the craft that is right for you and understand the differences, similarities, and transferable skills between these exciting water activities!
Overview of different watercraft
There’s a watercraft for every kind of paddler! Whether you love the solo freedom of kayaking, the teamwork of dragon boating, the laid-back vibe of canoeing, the balance challenge of paddle boarding, or the power and precision of rowing, each offers its own unique experience.
Kayaking:
- Description: Kayaking involves paddling a narrow, enclosed boat with a double-bladed paddle. It can be done solo or with a partner in a tandem kayak. Kayaking is quite universal making it ideal for all kinds of water bodies including rivers, lakes and of course the ocean.
- Skills Required: Kayaking requires some balance, coordination, and technique to navigate various water conditions. It involves mastering strokes and braces to maintain balance and maneuver efficiently.
- Paddling Technique: Kayaking uses a double-bladed paddle with alternating strokes on each side. The paddler is seated with legs (mostly) extended, allowing for a more enclosed and streamlined experience.
- Paddling Experience: Kayaking is ideal for a range of water conditions, from calm lakes to challenging rapids. Compared to the other crafts suggested here it offers better maneuverability and efficiency and is incredibly universal.
- Pros: Kayaking is great for individual adventures, easily maneuverable, and versatile for different water types.
Dragon Boating:
- Description: Dragon boating features a longer boat with a team of paddlers working in unison, guided by a drummer who sets the pace.
- Skills Required: Emphasizes team coordination and rhythm. It’s less about individual technique and more about synchronized paddling.
- Paddling Technique: Each paddler uses a single-bladed paddle, performing strong, synchronized strokes to propel the boat forward. The boat’s speed is highly dependent on the teamwork and timing of the crew.
- Paddling Experience: Dragon boating is typically a team-based, high-energy activity that requires communication and cooperation. It’s ideal for group dynamics and often takes place on flat water like lakes or rivers.
- Pros: Excellent for team building, paddling for fitness and great for competitive events.
Canoeing:
- Description: In canoeing, paddlers use a single-bladed paddle while sitting or kneeling in an open boat.
- Skills Required: Focuses on balance and control, with an emphasis on forward strokes and steering.
- Paddling Technique: Primarily involves a single-bladed paddle with a focus on alternating strokes. The paddler sits or kneels and uses a forward stroke for propulsion.
- Paddling Experience: Provides a more open, relaxed paddling experience, suitable for calm waters and longer trips.
- Pros: Offers a more open feel and is ideal for carrying gear or travelling longer distances. It is easier to get in and out of compared to kayaks.
Paddle Boarding:
- Description: Stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) involves standing on a large board and using a single-bladed paddle to move through the water.
- Skills Required: Requires balance, core strength, and coordination. Paddlers need to master techniques for turning, stopping, and stabilizing the board, especially in moving water or choppy conditions.
- Paddling Technique: Paddlers stand upright on the board with one foot forward, and paddle on one side of the board, at times switching the sides. The paddling technique is focused on rhythm and maintaining balance while navigating the water.
- Paddling Experience: Paddleboarding provides a relaxing yet challenging experience, ideal for exploring calm lakes, rivers, or coastal areas. It’s perfect for people of all skill levels and can be done solo or in groups.
- Pros: Great for fitness, particularly core and balance. It’s versatile for various water types (as long as they are mostly calm) and perfect for exploring or simply relaxing on the water. It’s a beginner-friendly activity that can be done at your own pace.
Rowing:
- Description: Rowing involves using oars to propel a boat forward while facing the stern (back of the boat). It can be done individually (sculling) or in teams (sweeping). Rowing is often practiced on flat water like lakes, rivers, or dedicated rowing courses.
- Skills Required: Requires technique, endurance, and power. Rowers need to coordinate their strokes, maintain balance in the boat, and execute precise movements to achieve maximum speed.
- Paddling Technique: Rowers use one or two oars, depending on whether they are sculling (two oars) or sweeping (one oar per rower). The stroke involves pushing the oars through the water, leaning back, and pulling to propel the boat forward in a fluid motion.
- Paddling Experience: Rowing can be done individually or as part of a team. It’s a physically demanding sport, requiring focus on timing, strength, and technique to maximize efficiency and speed.
- Pros: Excellent for building strength, endurance, and teamwork. Rowing provides a low-impact, full-body workout and can be highly competitive or recreational. It’s ideal for those seeking a more structured and disciplined water sport.
Transferable Skills
As can be seen above the crafts have a lot in common. However, there are also some key differences.
Most crafts require some balance and good body coordination.
Canoeing and Dragonboating are the most closely related with their single-sided paddle and larger more stable boat. Stand-up Paddleboarding also uses a single-sided blade but it involves standing on a (somewhat tippy) board.
As a kayak is much smaller than a canoe or a dragonboat it might feel more tippy initially. If one were to capsize getting into the kayak is also its own skill that should be practiced regularly. However, by choosing the right kayak even beginners without experience will have a great (and stable) experience in a kayak.
In comparison to canoeing, paddleboarding and dragonboating, kayaking uses a double-sided blade which provides equal engagement of both the left and right muscles.
Some of the strokes in the different crafts (especially canoes, kayaks and SUPs) are somewhat similar, and it is always wonderful to see somebody who has experience paddleboarding try kayaking and be able to apply their skill and experience from paddleboarding to kayaking (and vice versa).
Overall trying different paddling craft makes us better paddlers altogether.
Conclusion
Each paddling sport offers unique experiences and skills, making it crucial to choose the one that aligns with your interests and goals.
What is amazing about kayaking is how versatile it is. While other crafts are more limited and can mostly be used on calm and flat water kayaking can be done on all types of water. Kayaking is both beginner-friendly on calm water but also an amazing sport for thrill-seekers in rough water conditions (assuming paddlers have the appropriate training).
Ready to try kayaking? Our tours and social paddles are all led by our experienced and Paddle Canada certified guides, making them the perfect gateway into kayaking. Or if you feel ready to try paddling without a guide, our rentals are also open to all experience levels!