Kayakers, to your paddles!

La Cordée

October 24, 2025

6 minutes

Now that the summer temperatures are starting to be felt, you might suddenly want to venture out onto a new body of water. So, we suggest you get ready to enjoy the summer on the water by choosing the right watercraft for you.

Kayakers, to your paddles!

As water activities are numerous and diversified in Quebec, you will have the freedom to choose how you want to cool off. Among the options available to you, you'll find paddleboarding, sea kayaking, recreational kayaking, and whitewater kayaking. The world of water sports being vast, here is an overview of the kayak possibilities that could fulfill your desires for water and wide open spaces this summer.

Originally created by the indigenous peoples of the Arctic regions for fishing, hunting, and daily travel, the kayak is now used recreationally and its practice comes in various forms, to the delight of everyone. Nothing could be easier to set off on an adventure: simply put the kayak on the roof of your vehicle, find a body of water to explore, and launch your boat to swim in pure happiness. However, as the purchase of a kayak represents a certain investment, it is important to assess your needs and expectations before getting started. First, determine the use you intend to make of it (walking, fishing, training, or long hike) and on what type of body of water you wish to navigate (lakes, calm rivers, or open sea). These lines of thought will help you identify what type of kayak will fulfill your desires.

Then, know that two basic principles are opposed when it comes to the shape of boats: maneuverability and stability. The narrower a kayak is, the more maneuverable it is and the less stable it is. Also, the longer it is, the faster it is and the more it maintains its course. As for the shape of the hull, it gives an indication of the performance level of the kayak. If it is U-shaped, it means that the boat was primarily designed to provide good stability on the water. In the same logic, if it is V-shaped, it means that the contact surface with the water was intended to be reduced to increase the speed of the kayak. For example, V-shaped hulls characterize sea kayaks that are made to maintain a certain cruising speed over long distances.

For those who love long hikes and canoe camping

You're not new to the water and enjoy long trips with luggage? You might fall in love with the sea kayak. Made for covering long distances on large bodies of water, it consists of watertight compartments that allow you to transport food and equipment. Long, quite heavy, and narrow in shape, the sea kayak offers good directional stability to cope with side winds, and is often equipped with a rudder or a fin to maintain course. The snug cockpit of the sea kayak allows the paddler to become one with their boat to facilitate handling and to reach the speeds necessary to cover great distances. Before purchasing such a boat, it is therefore strongly recommended to check that the cockpit is comfortable and compatible with your build. The many hours spent on the water in an ill-fitting cockpit could give you many aches and make handling your new acquisition more difficult.

For versatile athletes and young hikers

Do you want to go for a day and you want to transport your boat with ease? Then try the ready-to-wear kayaks. Lighter and less expensive than the sea kayak or canoe, the recreational kayak is perfect for day trips or an overnight stay in calm water. With a rather wide shape, it often offers a feeling of security that appeals to less experienced people who sail on lakes or calm rivers. However, its wide hull makes it less efficient in the wind and less fast than the sea kayak. Featuring a spacious cockpit, it offers less storage than the sea kayak, but it still allows you to store some food and a few essential clothes for your happiness on the water.

For walkers, for those who are passionate about observing the fauna and flora, and for recreational fishermen

Of a zen and contemplative nature, are you above all looking for a stable craft for short trips on the water? The open kayak is then surely for you. Light, stable and easy to transport, it is perfect for navigating on calm lakes and along the coasts. Intended for those who do not want to be enclosed in a cockpit, the open kayak does not have a deck. Although this feature facilitates water drainage and allows for sunbathing, it also has the consequence of exposing the passenger, as well as their equipment, to small waves and the vagaries of the weather. No matter. Slip your equipment into a waterproof bag and everything will stay dry. Composed of a wide hull that gives it very good stability, the open kayak is an almost indispensable boat for the cottage. On board, family members can fish, read on the water and watch the lake at sunset.

The Pescador series kayaks from Perception are good value for money. They offer stability, speed and great maneuverability to allow new paddlers to have fun on lakes, ponds and calm rivers.

Shopping Tips

If you choose a double boat, although often less expensive for a couple, make sure the motivation of both partners is the same. If one of the two loses motivation, it will be almost impossible for the other to go out on the water alone because a double kayak is difficult to maneuver alone.

Mandatory security:

Transport Canada requires paddlers to carry 5 safety accessories:

A personal flotation device
A whistle
A flashlight
A pump
A 15 m floating rope (which can be used to recover a drifting kayak)

Interview:

The sun is one of the worst enemies for your boat. You can counter the harmful effects of its rays by applying a UV coating to its hull.
If you paddle in salt water, it is important to rinse your boat with clear water to prevent salt from damaging its hull.
Beware of scratches on the hull of your kayak, because if they are deep, they can slow down your cruising speed.

If you're undecided, come and discuss your needs and expectations with our advisors in the nautical department. In addition to helping you choose a vessel suited to your needs, they can give you a wealth of advice on places to discover with your new purchase.