Whitewater Canoes

Pros and Cons of Whitewater in a Canoe

Yes, there are still hard-core enthusiasts of the canoe out there that take their vessels into whitewater!  These people will no doubt point out to you that canoeing was the original whitewater activity, the way in which most continents were explored.  If you’re looking for a change in pace from the ordinary world of whitewater kayaking and rafting, you might want to consider the advantages that whitewater canoes will provide.

First off, the canoe is the ideal vessel for whitewater expeditions.  In the event that the river you are traveling becomes shallow, a canoe (with its narrow bottom design) is much easier to drag along the bottom than the wide-body kayak.  Additionally, canoes are designed for portage; kayaks need to be transported with wheels and in some areas this is simply not a feasible option.

A canoe will allow you to pack a lot more gear in a much more easily accessible manner than a kayak would.  As far as safety goes, you are far less likely to become trapped in your canoe in the event of  capsize than you would be in a kayak.  If you pursue your hobby with your children or the family pet, a canoe is a much more inexperienced-passenger-friendly vessel; as your child becomes more interested in the hobby herself, and better able to handle a paddle, she will find a shorter canoe paddle easier to handle than the double blade of the kayak paddle.  Generally speaking, a canoe is also easier to exit and enter for those who are less agile than a kayak is.  Finally, the position of the canoer above the water will allow for a better line of sight along the waterway ahead.

Must Have Experience

With all that said, however, it is important to keep in mind that canoeing whitewater should be attempted by more experienced paddlers.  Canoes quite simply have less maneuverability in whitewater when it comes to novices than a kayak would have.  A canoe is also much less forgiving of errors in judgment when it comes to obstacles within the water or rapids than a kayak would be.

If you choose to pursue your whitewater hobby in a canoe, you follow in a long tradition of explorers and adventures.  Successful navigation of rapids in a canoe is a sign of a highly skilled paddler.  Keep in mind, however, that some rapids that could be negotiated in a kayak or raft simply will not be feasible from a canoe.