RE: [Paddlewise] WHITEWATER - Kayak or Canoe ????

Hal,

Oh dear, what a great opportunity to stick my neck out.  I'm sure the
canoists on the list will have a field day with this one.  

But here I go, off into the abyss.....

I have a hard time understanding the use of a conoe in white water.  The
closed deck, lighter weight, and greater maneuverability of a white water
kayak makes it so superior to the canoe, that I don't know why anyone given
the choice would choose the canoe.  

Well, if I try real hard, I can maybe come up with two reasons to stick with
a canoe in white water.  If you are a committed canoe paddler who has no
interest in adapting to the kayak stroke, then go with the white water
canoe.  Second, if you plan to do long, self-supported trips in white water,
then a canoe's greater cargo capacity would be important.  But for the shear
paddling fun, the kayak is vastly superior in a white water setting.

I should point out that I have never paddled a canoe, so on one hand, I
don't know what I'm talking about.  On the other hand, I've paddled in mixed
kayak/conoe groups on white water and seen the different boats in action.
The kayak can surf more waves, play in more holes, make tighter maneuvers,
and roll much easier.  In short, kayakers have more fun.

... and now I will sit back, hunker down in my kevlar boat, and brace myself
for the "attack of the rabid conoe-ists".

--Tim 


-----Original Message-----
From: Hal Christiansen
To: PaddleWise (E-mail)
Sent: 5/29/99 1:03 AM
Subject: [Paddlewise] WHITEWATER - Kayak or Canoe ????

I will be taking a beginners WW course in two weeks. The facility offers

training using kayaks. I have paddled OC! almost exclusively for several

years. So my question to the list is this :

What are the reasons why you favor either kayaks or canoes, for white
water 
rivers, playboating, rodeo, etc. ???

THANKS
-Hal

************************************************************************
***
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/
************************************************************************
***
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/
***************************************************************************