The foremost important thing is that you should know how to swim and have no fear of water. If either of the two is a constraint, canoeing is ruled out as fun for you.

Let’s start with the type of canoe you may need for your trip.

Different types of canoeing trips require suitable canoes to make the trip comfortable.

Expedition Canoes are the choice for long trips as they have plenty of space and can carry large loads. They also need more than two to paddle.

River Canoes are best suited for paddling on fast rivers and the Recreation Canoe is for still water traveling.

Similarly, a white water canoe is best suited to white water canoeing.

Before starting on the trip check the weather forecast for the area you are going to. It will help you determine the kind of clothes to wear.

You need to wear just enough so you don’t end up cold for too many clothes will only add to your load.

You need to pick clothes that will keep you warm and also dry quickly as you are bound to get wet. Also keep in mind the kind of canoeing you are planning and pack the protection gear accordingly.

Remember to dress in layers. It will not only keep you warm if required but will also be easy to reduce just in case you are feeling hot. Cotton clothes though comfortable are not suitable for such trips, as they take ages to dry.

Start with a thin polypropylene interior layer and then add a synthetic fleece fabric garment. This will keep you warm when desired. The final layer should consist of water and windproof protection.

The clothes should be easy to wear, as the change in spring temperatures may make you take the clothes off and put them on again at frequent intervals.

You will need a pair of water proof boots to keep your feet dry. Choose socks that are made of waterproof material like neoprene. You may like a pair of gloves to keep your hands warm and safe from paddling blisters.

Prepare the right way and enjoy the thrills of running over the waters in spring.

It is similar to backpacking, but canoe campers go through canoes or kayaks. This is a recreation activity, initially practiced in North America.

With canoe camping, you can carry heavier or bulkier loads when compared to backpacking so that you can travel more distance easily under favorable circumstances.

Canoe camping makes your dream come true. It allows you to experience all the beauty the nature offers. There is nothing wonderful than going in a canoe down hurrying or gently flowing watercourse through a woody wilderness.

Canoe camping is inexpensive and beginner-friendly. It needs few skills and very little equipment when compared to general camping and equipment.

You will get shoreline or riverfront campsites only for $5-10 each night. Camping with your family and friends makes the adventure trip livelier and inexpensive.

It is ideal to take a 16-foot canoe, about 12 inches deep and 34 inches across for two persons’ canoe camping trip.

Provide one paddle for each person in the canoe and also equip an additional paddle for caution. Each person in the canoe should wear lifejackets, particularly while the canoe is in water.

How to plan for canoe camping?

1. If you are new to canoe camping, ensure that you practice paddle handling, particularly while banking and turning. Practice getting in and out of the canoe and pack and unpack it. If it is possible, spend one night camping on your dry run. This allows you to get an idea about what equipment and materials you can put behind on a long trip and what are the necessary items without which you cannot live.

2. Select your best waterway. Browse online to find best canoe camping sites. Information sources you found online can help you to match up your canoe route with your complete vacation plans.

3. Map the route. Note down on a paper things such as how long you can travel each day, where you can rest every night, what are the off water terrains, can you stop to swim, fish or eat along the route, are there any places to stop and search for shelter if the weather is bad, and what are the trips you want to take.

A canoeing trip down or may be up on one of the many powerful rivers is an exhilarating experience. The proximity to nature and its travails gives you an adrenalin rush that is difficult to replicate.

Canoeing can be enjoyed around the year, each season providing its thrills. There are many packages available to suit the season of your choice. You can also easily look for canoeing and camping packages that are appropriate to your outdoor skills.

The more experienced adventurers can opt for tougher packages like the spring trips on St John River. Or if you would like to make adventure a part of your family vacation, many family packages are available throughout the year.

You can go for trips that include lodging to make it easier for the kids.

Many of the trips offered are exclusively for adults so be sure to check that out. Some of the trips may require high degree of experience in specific skills like paddling or camping.

For the brave heart, rafting can be an exciting and enthralling option. The rivers flowing from Colorado Rocky Mountains are a great challenge not just for man but also for equipment.

A thrilling trip through four major rivers in five days will let you experience almost all that needs to be experienced in canoeing and rafting. You will meet runoff high water, technical low water, and stupid water and gorges that tax to the max.

It is best to agree on commands and hand signals before you even get in the water, with everyone knowing exactly what they need to do.

One person will naturally come to the fore as the leader and let them take charge, rather than find yourself in a situation when everyone is differing about.

As a rule, someone is at the bow or front of the boat, with another at the stern or back. You notice the bow seat is set a bit back and this is because the paddler here will require plenty of room for their legs. The down side of a lack of space is that the canoe will start to go backwards instead of forwards.

Whoever is paddling in the stern should take full responsibility for the direction in which you are going.

However you need to communicate with the guy at the front because he is the eyes of the operation. This is where well practiced hand signals come into play; it helps if everyone knows what they are doing.

Another factor of the person paddling at the back is to make sure that the boat stays stable. In basic terms if you paddle to your right it will take you left and consequently paddling left goes to the right.

Everyone should have the utmost trust in each other as once someone’s judgment is questioned everything will just go to pot.

As already mentioned the paddler at the front is the eyes and must be confident what they are doing and never falter. They should be always on the look out for danger in the form of logs, rocks and shallow water, making split second decisions based on what they see around them. All this must then be communicated to the paddler behind them.

The elements will be against you in terms of wind and other background noise so if necessary turn round to be heard easier. There are many incidents where with the two oars people must work very closely together, for example when maneuvering around an obstacle.

On top of everything else paddling against a strong wind is exhausting not to mention extremely exasperating. It is quite literally a battle against nature and quite often the fight will be lost.

The challenge of canoeing is what attracts people to the sport and once the basics are learnt there are plenty of more advanced techniques to master.

If you are interested in water sports, then you can go for canoe and kayak at the camping site.

Kayaking is almost like backpacking on an off compressed path, but this path is on water.

Canoeing is to explore the nature. These sports will help to keep you fit and healthy.

Only two of you can go for canoeing with your camping equipments while kayaking can allow more than two.

You can find canoeing and kayaking at different camping sites. Better choose the best and have wonderful holidays.

Canoeing and kayaking in New Zealand

New Zealand provides a variety of chances for canoeing and kayaking. You have several places to enjoy the water sports.

Waiheke Island:

You can get variety of kayaks at this place. You can get single and double kayaks. Kayaking is very safe at this place. You can also hire sea kayaks.

While kayaking, you are helped for pick and drop. You can hire kayak for half day or full day or more than one day.

Stewart Island:

Stewart Island is inhabited island. You can enjoy canoeing and kayaking at this place.

Doubtful sound:

Doubtful sound is a famous place for kayak. You can enjoy the nature and relax at this island. You can have the pleasure of kayak at this island. You can hire kayak and explore the entire island near by.

Canoeing kayaking in Himalayas

Himalayas in INDIA, offer you a wide range of camping sites. At these camping places, you can have the pleasure of beautiful campsites and to enjoy many adventurous sports. There are various places in Himalayas for canoeing and kayaking.

Uttaranchal canoe and kayak:

Uttaranchal in Himalayas is a perfect place for kayaking and canoeing. Select the camping place where you can have the opportunity to participate in both water sports.

Uttaranchal is place of beauty, peace and tranquility. This is an attractive tourist place. The famous places for kayaking at uttaranchal are Rishikesh, Dakpathar and Ramganga in Corbett national park.

Canoeing kayaking in Jammu and Kashmir:

The high altitude places are good for canoeing at Jammu and Kashmir. The famous tourist places like Tarsar, Kaunsarnag, Vishensar, Gangabal, Drass, Suru, and Indus are few interesting sites for canoeing and kayaking.

Jammu and Kashmir have provided canoeing kayaking tournaments also. This tournament is conducted in Srinager. If you are interested in tournaments, then you can participate in the water sports.

Along with canoe and kayak, you will enjoy the beautiful sceneries of Jammu and Kashmir. The mountains with snow are just fantastic to view and enjoy.

Tourists mostly visit all these places for adventurous hill sports. You will have pleasure of beautiful mountains and sceneries. You will have memorable canoeing and kayaking experiences at these campsites.

It is mainly the activity which involves padding a canoe for the recreation purpose, transportation and also as a sport. Canoeing is also called as float trip.

Canoeing in ponds, lakes and rivers is one of the most fun leisure activities which you can enjoy a lot with your family.

The main key for canoeing is to be well prepared. If you have the right equipment you will have a great time. So, you want to consider canoeing as one of the camping activities in your trip, here are some guidelines to keep in mind.

• The two most important things you need to bring for your camping trip include bug spray and sunscreen.
• Keep enough liquids in your hand so that you can enjoy the trip. Keep water bottles in your cooler when coming to the camp. Avoid bringing thick drinks like sugary drinks and juices.
• Seal everything that you want to bring to the camping trip in plastic bags.
• Don’t bring the foods that are very cold when you are trying for canoeing. For example, salads.
• Wear shoes that can be tied or regular water shoes.
• It is better to pack all the items in a waterproofing bag.
• Sit down low in the canoe. It is the most important thing to be considered.
• You should be very careful while getting in and out of the canoe.

There are many types of canoeing. The most popular types of recreational canoeing include:

Whitewater canoeing - This indicates to padding along White Water Rivers for enjoyment. This type involves different levels like long and short journeys and also great outings on raging white water.

Canoe camping – This is a combination of canoeing and camping.

Play boating – This indicates surfing while doing tricks.

Essential equipment to include in your camping checklist for canoeing:

This checklist is helpful for the trips which are lasting for two or more days.

• Canoe
• Paddles
• Signaling device
• Maps in waterproof case
• Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries and bulbs
• Pocket knife
• First aid kit
• Food
• Fire starter
• Canoeing clothing
• Drinking water
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen

Finally, canoeing is fun to enjoy. If you want to canoe in calm waters, there is no need to follow these tips. So, you can safely consider canoeing while camping.