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Paddlesport over view - Coggle Diagram
Paddlesport over view
Canoe
Flat Water
extreme: remote, multi week expedition navigating windy rivers and large expanses of water
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Flat water canoeing can range anywhere from a day on a lake or river to multiple weeks. Canoes are able pack more gear with a higher weight capacity. This allows for longer trips with more luxurious items, making canoeing a lucrative outdoor activity. Longer days/expeditions can be accomplished with this ease of transport.
Matt explained to me this fall that one does not canoe to do other activities, one has to workout and do other activities to become comfortable and strong enough to canoe for long distances. He's words of wisdom have stuck with me to this day.
Personal goals: I would like to get the chance to paddle the Susitna River in Alaska. It is a 313 mile long river with some premier sport fishing. It is in Southcentral Alaska and flows through some beautiful wilderness. I would enjoy to get the chance to float it with my father as he loves Alaska and is very knowledgeable about the outdoors up there.
Whitewater
extreme: committing to a week/month long expedition navigating through different rivers in the wilderness
paddling fast moving rivers in an open boat canoe, rapids ranging in class from 1-5
Whitewater canoeing can range from easy gentle moving water, to demanding, dangerous whitewater. Canoeing gives the participant the ease of being able to pack more for longer expeditions. Depending on the level of rapid, gear has to be taken out and portaged around the rapid so as not to hinder the boat or personal when running the rapid. Expeditions can be just a day or last up to week or even months depending on supplies. Whitewater canoeing give you the opportunity to get deep into the wilderness and see some beautiful terrain as well as participate in an incredibly engaging adventure sport.
Personal goals: I would love to get the opportunity to run the Allagash river in Maine in a whitewater canoe. It is a 65 mile trip in the wilderness of Maine with rapid classes I-II
Kayak
Touring
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Sea kayak touring is very lucrative. Paddling ocean waters, having to navigate coastline while keeping in mind and navigating tides and tidal currents as well as ocean crossings. There is a lot in motion at all times and a lot that has to go smoothly or you could be put in very dangerous situations. Expeditions can last as long or as short as one wants but there is a finite amount of space one can pack with when paddling on the ocean. Making sure you can fit gear into the kayak as well as food and water is important and can be difficult. This also adds weight to your boat which can make it harder to paddle and surf.
Personal goals: I would love to get the chance to paddle down the coast of Maine, spending time in my home environment on the coast and getting to gain an appreciation for where I grew up.
Whitewater
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Whitewater kayaking is an incredibly engaging sport that requires the paddler to have both physical and mental endurance. You are paddling fast flowing rivers, ranging in difficulty from class 1-5 rapids. When on expedition, you pack all your gear into your boat which changes the game for paddling. It is one thing to maneuver your self and your boat down a river but adding 30+ pounds to your boat makes paddling/navigating strong currents and fast moving water that much more difficult. Not to mention, expeditions take weeks or months and are often in remote locations where it is very hard to find extraction sites. It can be incredibly fun but also takes a lot from all involved, both physically and mentally.
Personal goals: I would greatly enjoy getting a chance to tag along with one of my friends on a trip of his too Ecuador. It would teach me a lot as well as be amazing exposure to different terrain, people, and culture. A smaller objective I am setting for myself this winter so I can head into next spring feeling strong is getting a hand roll on both sides as well as a paddle roll on both sides.
I watched a kayaking edit this fall and within it they asked the main person if he wanted to raft and drive the bus or kayak the river and drive the sports car. He said he wanted to "drive the sports car" aka kayak and it has stuck with me since. I too want to drive the sports car, although I feel scared paddling. But it is good because it pushes me to be better and get out of my comfort zone.