With a little bit of experience and courage, kayaking can be a lot of fun. The rowing motion is not only good exercise for your upper body, but it can also develop balance and coordination.

A kayak is similar to a canoe except that unlike a canoe, the kayak has a closed cockpit. Kayakers also sit on the bottom of the boat with their legs extended and row with a two blade paddle alternating on each side of the kayak. Kayaks are generally differentiated from canoes by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle. In a kayak the paddler faces forward, legs in front, using a double bladed paddle. In a canoe the paddler faces forward and sits or kneels in the boat, using a single bladed paddle.