Canoes and Kayaks

Canoes and kayaks are small boats powered by paddles. People have used them for thousands of years. Native Americans built canoes from birch bark and hollowed-out logs. Today, people use canoes and kayaks for fun, exercise, and exploring nature.

Canoes vs. Kayaks

Canoes are open on top, and you kneel or sit on a seat inside. You use a single-bladed paddle. Kayaks have a covered deck with a small opening for the paddler. Kayak paddles have blades on both ends. Both are great for rivers, lakes, and even the ocean.

A Long History

Indigenous peoples all over the world invented canoes and kayaks. The Inuit people of the Arctic made kayaks from animal skins stretched over wooden frames. In the Pacific Islands, people built outrigger canoes for ocean voyages. Today, canoeing and kayaking are popular Olympic sports.

Fun Facts

• The oldest known canoe is over 8,000 years old and was found in the Netherlands.
• Kayak means 'hunter's boat' in the Inuit language.
• Some kayakers paddle over waterfalls as an extreme sport!

Did You Know?

Native American birch bark canoes were so light that one person could carry them. This let travelers move between rivers and lakes by walking overland, which is called a portage.