Canoeing as a plus size person?

[DebbieFiderer]

DD (11) has just announced that she and a friend would like to try canoeing. Fine, sounds great, happy to facilitate that. I've found a local canoe club which looks good, but it's made me wonder about trying it with her - mother daughter bonding, fitness etc. Problem is, I am large. Very large. Can big people fit in canoes? Can big people float in canoes?? Does anyone have any experience of canoeing? I'd hate to try and not be able to fit in.

[Molly333]

Im intetested in this too im 13 stone

[DebbieFiderer]

Oh I'm WAY bigger than that!!!!

[Anotherbloodyname123]

Hi op. You can get sit on canoes! Call the place and ask them. I'm sure they get asked all the time. Google 'sit on top canoe'.

The holes can be a bit tight. Ahem.

[Anotherbloodyname123]

Oh and I canoed as a teen and loved it! Would really like to do it again

[MeakTiger]

Yes you can. I am a member of a club and we have people of all shapes and sizes; from 4 stone to 18 (the four stone being my DD). You just need a boat that fits.

[NickMyLipple]

I'm plus size and I found canoeing very uncomfortable because of the way the life jacket sat. It meant I sort of had to lean back in the boat rather than sit upright and it made for a horrible 3 hour paddle which became physically demanding because of my reclined position

Having said that, don't be put off. It may be you can wear a different type of life jacket. Try it for 30 minutes first off and see how you get on. You'll definitely fit in a canoe, so don't worry about that but it won't be graceful getting in or out!

[ScoopyDoo]

Are you talking about a canoe (open boat, single blade paddle) or a kayak (sit in, double-bladed paddle)? A canoe then you'll be absolutely fine. Kayaks too, but they come in lots of different sizes. It may be harder to fine the right one but it's definitely an option. I struggle in the smaller playboat type kayaks because I can't get enough leg room, but a longer tourer type is fine. They come in different volumes acc to body weight of the user. Go for it - great sport!

[DebbieFiderer]

DD is adamant it needs to be a canoe, so that's good. When I say big, I am about a size 24-26. I'm a good swimmer so not worried about capsizing from a safety point of view, just don't want to get stuck! Maybe I could try one out for size on dry land first...

[Anotherbloodyname123]

Please don't let your size put you off, it's such good fun. Call some places and be honest with them, or better still pop in and talk to them. I promise you they'll have heard and dealt with the same concerns before.

[AuntieStella]

If it's an open canoe, no problems whatsoever.

If a kayak, yes they come in different sizes, up to and including ones for large people. You shouid be fine!

It's great for toning arms

[Cherrysoup]

Kayaks I find limiting cos I’m tall, my dh is he same, it’s not comfortable. Canoes are open like a row boat, so shouldn’t be an issue re size.

[hatter69]

As pp have mentioned. Canoes are open top, so no problem there atall.

You can get sit on kayaks which will be fine too.

Probably best to call the centre to check.

Have fun !

[cheesenpickles]

I went canoeing a few weeks ago and I was 14.5 stone. It was surprisingly fun, low impact and even though my 16 stone husband was also in the canoe it was very easy. I was super worried but needn't have been.