Recreational canoeing can be enjoyed by pretty much anyone, with canoes and kayaks available in both children and adult sizes and also with two-person versions. The differentiation between canoes and kayaks is becoming increasingly blurred as hybrid boats are coming out that incorporate the best of both. Canoeing can be carried out anywhere that the water is safe, from lakes to rivers to the sea, depending on your skill level and of course the type of canoeing you want to participate in. Lakes offer a safe and normally enclosed environment to canoe in and can be perfect for beginners to learn on, as there are no waves or currents that could potentially be dangerous to a novice. Rivers offer a more advanced level of canoeing, as currents, bends and possibly small rapids can all be encountered on rivers, meaning you should be confident in your ability to paddle strongly and also be able to right yourself quickly should you capsize. Sea canoeing is becoming increasingly popular as it offers the opportunity to undertake much longer journeys, potentially a few weeks of paddling for those that are ready for the challenge!
Depending on the type and level of your canoeing there will always be safety considerations to undertake. Make sure you check local knowledge about the area you want to canoe in, and in the case of sea canoeing it is always good practise to notify the coastguard if you are planning a long trip.
