Being out on the water is a fantastic way to leave your troubles and stress at the shoreline as you venture out into the blissful expanse. However, just as it is with any sport or recreational activity, you need the right gear to get the most from the experience. When it comes to your relationship with hydrotherapy, what’s the best option for you? Boat or board?

If you’re new to paddling or thinking about expanding your portfolio of enjoyment, Girl Paddlers is here to highlight the different ways for you to get your float on. With ample pros and cons, we hope this guide will provide all the information you need to make smart decisions. Who knows? There may be a few different modalities you’d like to try out, so you have a method for every mood.

Kayak

Kayaks are great for those who like to discover different spots because they are easy to transport. Some are light enough for one person to carry and can be lifted onto the top of a car, truck, or trailer. For heavier kayaks (and canoes), you may want to purchase a cart (wheels) to make transporting your boat easier. As for how to load a kayak onto your vehicle by yourself, here’s a helpful video or visit this blog for additional information on loading your watercraft.

Kayaks are also easily stored for those rare times when you’re not on the water. Comparatively, kayaks are one of the least expensive options, although you could spend a lot more on special sea kayaks or those outfitted for fishing which may have foot pedals for locomotion instead of the traditional two-sided paddle.

Kayaks can be a little difficult to get in and out of because they are so low to the water. Although some models come with elevated seats that make getting onboard a bit easier. Either way, once you’ve managed to get yourself into position inside the boat, kayaks are very stable. They are easy to maneuver, even in windy conditions and or on choppy/wavy water.

Although there are tandem kayaks that are built for two, most kayaks only allow for one passenger. Many are equipped with storage compartments so you can bring gear along with you (extra clothes, food, snacks, water, etc.). If you manage to flip, the storage bins latch to keep the contents safely inside.

Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP)

If you’d like a higher view of your on-the-water experience, a stand up paddleboard may be more for you. SUPs provide a full-body workout since you’ll be standing, balancing, and paddling at the same time, working the legs, glutes, abs, shoulders, back, and arms simultaneously. Like kayaks, paddleboards are also reasonably light, making them easy to carry, transport, and store when not in use.

It may take some practice to get the hang of balancing on the board before you throw paddling in the mix. On the flip side (no pun intended), once you’ve mastered your balance, SUPs are very easy to board and disembark.

Wind can play into the equation while paddleboarding. Standing on a SUP turns your body into somewhat of a sail in windy conditions. However, the beauty of SUPs is that you can always change your stance. You can paddle from a kneeling or even sitting position. This is also great for when you want to take a rest and shift your body around a bit while out on the water.

Canoe

While kayaks and SUPs are primarily designed for single passengers, canoes provide ample room more people, lots of gear, and or your faithful paddling pets. If you plan to camp during your water adventure without returning to a base, a canoe is perfect for bringing everything you’ll need. This is not to say that you can’t enjoy a solo canoeing journey, you’ll just need a little extra skill to handle the boat by yourself.

Because canoes provide so much space, they can be heavy and long. Carrying a canoe can be done by one person but getting the canoe on and off a vehicle transport rack may take some assistance.

And since canoes are built for cutting through the water with ease, they are also easy to tip. This also means they are difficult to maneuver in windy and choppy conditions. But if you stay centered and master different paddle strokes, you should quickly learn how to enjoy the benefits of a canoe, whether you’re alone or with passengers.

Test Drive

Now that you have some basic information on different ways to enjoy time on the water, you may want to rent some equipment or take a class or two. Test each of them and learn some different techniques that will help you compare boat versus board. Join our Facebook group to find a female owned and opporated class in your area. Of course, the Girl Paddlers website is also full of helpful information from our community that offer resources and experiences that will help you enjoy paddling even more.