Paddle sports are a great introduction to boating and low in financial cost.  All paddle sports are oar powered and the individuals in the boat operate the oars to propel the craft forward or backwards and favoring one oar to another will allow direction change. Canoes are popular for use on lakes and rivers and have carrying capacity and are efficient. They vary in size from a single person canoe upwards and can also be easily transported overland.  Another option is a Kayak in boating. They have greater maneuverability and are more seaworthy than a canoe.

 

Simple row boats have been around for centuries and are a fun and basic way to go out on the water and take part in other sports such as fishing. They are generally heavier than the other options we have mentioned.

 

The popularity of row boating has created many sports races in which athletes race against each other on rivers lakes and at sea. There are many famous races around the world but probably the most famed in the UK are the Oxford Cambridge races and the Henley regatta. It is also a sport which can be extremely good for your health in that it exercises all of the main muscle groups. Row boating is a low impact activity and reduces fat but does not tend to build muscle.