Why We’re #TeamCanoe
Palmetto Outdoor is the only outfitter in the Columbia area that exclusively uses canoes for their guided tours of Congaree National Park. Here are the reasons why we feel that canoes are a better fit than kayaks for exploring Congaree’s Cedar Creek.
Left: Canoe; Right: Kayak
1. You stay dry. Canoes use single-blade paddles which makes it easier to stay dry. With kayak paddles, water tends to trickle down the blades and onto the paddler as you switch sides.
2. You sit farther from the water. We offer canoe tours year-round. Sitting farther from the water keeps you farther from the cold water of winter and from the active wildlife of summer.
3. Canoes seat two people. Using tandem canoes means that we get you on the water quicker. Having less boats also means you get a better view of the natural beauty of the park. Plus, if you want to stop for a second to take a picture or drink some water, your partner can continue paddling and you won’t fall behind.
4. Bring along a child or dog. Canoes are wide and open, which means you have the option to include a child or dog. Parents may not feel comfortable having a child paddle their own boat (and we’d like to see a dog try!), but canoes allow the family to stick together. Seating them in the middle of the boat is best safety practice.
5. They’re more comfortable. Canoes being wide and open also allows for more comfort. Kayaks constrict you to sitting in one position, but you can shift and stretch in a canoe.
6. It’s what the rangers use. When park rangers go out on the creek, they almost always use canoes.
7. Canoes hold more. On long trips, canoes are a necessity to hold camping equipment, coolers, etc. As for our guided tours, you’ll have plenty of space for your lunch, a water bottle, and whatever else you may bring. Even though canoes keep you much dryer than kayaks, we still recommend only bringing items that you are ok with getting wet – just in case.
8. Canoes have flat bottoms. Why does it matter? Congaree presents a unique obstacle for paddlers: cypress knees. The woody protrusions that famously line the floodplain can easily get caught in the holes that are on the bottom of most kayaks. Canoes have flat bottoms, therefore there is no risk of getting caught on a knee.
9. They’re more sustainable. Canoes are made of a thicker and more durable material than kayaks, meaning they can go much longer without having to be replaced.
10. It just makes sense. Canoes have a certain charm that fits in with Cedar Creek. They’ve existed for thousands of years, just like the cypress and tupelo trees we paddle between.
Kayaks have their time and place, but we feel that canoes are undeniably a better fit for Cedar Creek. Make sure to consider all of these points when planning your next river adventure!
January 12, 2023