Autumn sunset, Courtesy Aaron Olsen
Recreational kayaks
(general purpose kayaks)
Ideal for: Inland lakes, slower moving rivers
Activities: flatwater kayaking, slow moving river touring, calm
inland lake paddling
Recreational kayaks are generally lighter, wider and shorter than sea
kayaks, have a large and easily-accessible cockpit, and DO NOT have
bulkheads or sufficient floatation to keep the boat afloat when full of
water. Some sprayskirts can be attached to a recreational kayak, which
would keep splashes off your lap, but won’t keep the lake out if you
dump, or the boat afloat if you take on water. These kayaks are very
stable in slow moving water and are great for relaxing outings and
touring inland lakes and river systems. On the Great Lakes these kayaks
are a liability unless the water is flat. If this type of kayak takes on water,
there is a high chance it will sink, leaving the kayaker stranded.
A canoe is a great workhorse paddle vessel and; used for centuries as a way of
transporting people and supplies. Thunder Bay River canoe paddle.
Canoe
Ideal for: Flat water, Inland lakes, slower moving rivers
Activities: Fishing rivers and inland lakes, river paddling,
quiet inland lake paddling
A canoe is heavier and wider than a kayak, open on top with high side
walls, seldom less than 33.5 inches wide, and capable of carrying a
heavy load. Their high sides allow more room for gear and people than
a kayak, but the sidewall height makes them hard to control in windy
conditions on open water. If awash with water, a canoe will also sink. A
capsized canoe can be flipped upright with practice but is not an easy
task. A canoe is a great vehicle for a small family or for carrying fishing
gear or camping supplies.
Stand Up Paddleboard
Ideal for: Great Lakes, Oceans, inland lakes, rivers
Activities: Great Lake and ocean exploration, shipwreck
viewing, surfing, rivers, inland lakes
SUP (stand up paddleboarding) uses a surf style board and a long
paddle. While originally made popular by surfer Laird Hamilton as he
used the paddle to help him catch the waves found in Hawaii, SUP is not
only for surfing, but a variety of activities. Stand up paddling can be on
flat water lakes, rivers, on the Great Lakes or in the ocean. Being able to
stand fully erect on a SUP allows the paddler to have a better vantage
point for viewing what is beneath the surface. Fun fact: shark sightings
skyrocketed along the ocean coastlines when stand up paddleboarding
became popular. A person standing on a SUP has a better view of what
lies below the surface than someone sitting in a kayak or other small
boat. A SUP is easy to maneuver and also doubles as a floatation device.
This makes a SUP an ideal craft to take out to view shallow shipwrecks
in Lake Huron. When paddling on Lake Huron, always use a leash to
attach to the board. When paddling on a river, a leash that drags in the
water is not recommended because it could easily become entangled
in logs or weeds and pull the paddler under.
Explore the water and history. Stand Up Paddleboard adventure to the New Presque Isle
Lighthouse, photo courtesy Jenny Speaks.
Other Types & Styles of Kayaks, Canoes, Stand Up Paddle Boards
Racing, inflatable, whitewater, surfing, fishing, children’s
When in doubt, ask a professional. There are a variety of resources
online with more information about which type of paddle vessel is
best for certain adventure situations.
Some of the sources used for this compilation include:
https://thekayakers.com/real-sea-kayaks/#.WyPa_YgvzIU
http://www.kayarchy.com/html/01equipment/010otherkayaks.htm
ttps://www.thoughtco.com/introduction-to-sup-2555699
https://www.canoekayak.com/start-paddling/sea-paddling-safety-101/
42 Sanctuary of the Great Lakes
/#.WyPa_YgvzIU
/010otherkayaks.htm
/introduction-to-sup-2555699
/