Canoe Instructor, Paddle, and Kayak
Canoeing is a centuries old method of transportation, most often associated with the Native American tribes of North America. Today however, most canoeing is done as a recreational activity, with enthusiasts all over the world. The immense popularity of canoeing means that there are plenty of opportunities for a qualified canoe instructor to find employment. It also means that there is a market large enough for many kayak, canoe, and paddle manufacturers to coexist. However, the variety of equipment that is out there can cause confusion if one is unfamiliar with the basics.
Canoeinstructor.net is your Internet headquarters for all things canoe. We are canoeing enthusiasts of the highest order and want to share our years of experience with the world at large. As a result, we have built and designed this website to be a source of information about all aspects of canoeing and kayaking. We do not endorse any particular manufacturer or product, and the information we produce is intentionally kept as non-biased as possible.
Canoeing can be an outstanding form of exercise, as well as a fun family-friendly activity. For many people, a camping trip simply isn’t camping until they go for a ride in a canoe or kayak. But while it is a relatively simple activity to master, most experts recommend learning from a certified canoe instructor if one has never before ridden in one of these boats. There are many “tricks of the trade” that can not only help make the learning process much faster, but can also help ensure that everyone returns to land safe and sound.
Some of the most important things that one can learn from a qualified instructor are the various canoe paddle strokes that are used to help maneuver the boat through the water. Forward and back strokes, forward and back sweeps, the J-stroke, and a host of others are used to make the boat move in different ways, and each is as important to learn as the others. For most open water trips, only a few basic strokes will typically be used. However, in more intense situations such as river running, knowing all of the various ways to maneuver the boat is often essential to staying afloat and on course.
A certified canoe instructor can also help you determine what style of canoe and size of paddles are ideally suited to your needs and situation. There are many different styles of canoe, ranging from recreational models to those used for competitions. Of all the styles however, the touring canoe is probably the most commonly seen. They are built for traveling across open bodies of water such as lakes and ponds and can hold a relatively large amount of cargo.
Similarly, a canoe paddle can be found in many different sizes and styles. Construction materials can range from wood to plastic and even aircraft aluminum. There are also both straight and curved shaft models available. Sizing is very important, and as such it is often recommended that one consult with an expert before buying a set of paddles.