Kayaking and Canoeing

Both canoes and kayaks have long histories as modes of transportation, but also as pleasure and sport craft. The canoe, a simple, open, keelless boat able to accommodate one or more people and propelled by a single-blade paddle, is a design of the indigenous cultures of the Americas. The kayak, on the other hand, is an innovation of circumpolar indigenous groups, such as the Inuit, and has a covered deck and generally one or two “cockpits” for paddlers who employ a double-bladed paddle to propel their craft.

Primarily used by Aboriginal people for trade, subsistence, and travel, canoes and kayaks also served recreational purposes in indigenous cultures. British author Anna Jameson, for example, described an 1837 race involving 30 canoes of Aboriginal women. While the canoe as a working vessel is credited with opening up the interior of Canada to Europeans during the era of the fur trade, it also played an important role as a recreational vessel for the French and Métis men who worked the trade. In the midst of the hardships and danger that characterized their lives, the Voyageurs also used their crafts for racing and testing their skills.

Widespread recreational use of canoes and kayaks, however, did not occur until the late 19th century. Scot John MacGregor is commonly credited with popularizing canoeing in the English-speaking world, as he was responsible for the creation of the first canoe club, in Richmond, England, in 1866. The club hosted the first canoeing regatta, a social event centered on boat races. Most scholars would argue, however, that despite MacGregor's influence, the popularity of canoeing in Europe never rivaled that in the North America continent. In Canada, in particular, the canoe has been seen as an important symbol of both national heritage and culture.

Canoe and kayak clubs, in the tradition of MacGregor's 1866 experiment, have enabled both crafts to have relevance in historical and contemporary urban environments. The infrastructure that developed from such clubs resulted in the creation of an international paddling body, the Internationalen Representation for Kanusport (IRK), in 1924, as well as the establishment of canoeing and kayaking as demonstration sports at the Paris Olympics in the same year. They became official Olympic sports in 1936 and 1948, respectively. These developments, in turn, have created a system for recreational training and competitive development for urban youth.

Most people's experiences with canoeing and kayaking in North America, however, are associated with wilderness travel. Through the camping system, children have been exposed to paddling in instructional settings, as well as on canoe trips. Wilderness travel outside of the sphere of camping has made use of the canoe in the continental [Page 344]interior, and the kayak moreso in coastal areas. Both boat types are also used by Whitewater enthusiasts, recreationally and competitively. The reasons for embarking in either craft are as diverse as the uses of the boats themselves. For some, the desire to paddle can be explained by a love of the landscape and nature and a need to “get away from it all.” For others, it is about reliving a heritage, refining skills, or tasting adventure. Whatever the appeal, paddling remains an important recreational pursuit in a number of geographical contexts for people of all ages.

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