C-Forum

skooks wrote:I’m trying to understand why canoeists trash-talk kayakers so much. I learned how to paddle in an open canoe and spent a good 10 years paddling a Viper 11 in class 3-4 at least twice a week. I have spent the last 15 or so years paddling a kayak (though not as often as I would like) so I think I have a pretty good perspective as both a canoeist and a kayaker. I don’t label myself as one or the other. I am a paddler no matter what type of craft I take down the river. I feel fortunate to have learned in a canoe since I believe in order to be a really competent canoeist you need to learn to read the river well and to paddle efficiently. I don’t believe that this necessarily makes you a better paddler than someone who has only ever paddled a kayak since I have paddled with some pretty amazing boaters who have never been in a canoe. I must admit that I did my share of ‘trash talking’ before I started kayaking but now that I have a much broader perspective I don’t understand why. It seems to be very much one sided, with canoeists dissing kayakers much more than the other way around. I don’t know any kayakers who would feel the need to talk smack about canoeists. In fact I think most kayakers would think it was pretty cool to be paddling with open-boaters as long as they had the skills and a good attitude. I understand that ribbing your friends is fun, but trashing kayakers in general is pointless, unconstructive, and boring. One type of craft is no better than another. It is just the hunk of plastic that we each choose to slide down a hill of water in. It is the paddlers that make these craft come alive, and are we not all paddlers? If you really want to become a better one, open your eyes, broaden your perspective, learn from each other, and celebrate our shared passion.

Let the trash-talk begin…

-Skooks