Canoeing on your Stag Weekend If you're thinking about trying something a bit wet and wild on your stag weekend, then canoeing should be right up your street - or should that be river? Whether you're an absolute beginner, or have taken a wave or two before, this is a great team building exercise that involves all the guys on your stag weekend making it an unforgettable experience.
There's a difference between canoeing and kayaking, canoeing used to primarily be an open decked vessel powered by a single or double paddle and the canoeist would kneel or sit on a bench.
Kayaking is powered by a double paddle, and it is a closed vessel and the kayaker sits with legs extended in front.
Over the years the lines have blurred and the distinctions have become less strict with canoes now being available closed decked and even in sporting settings, there are few differentiations between the two types of boats.
So why choose canoeing on your stag weekend? Canoeing is about embracing the great outdoors, feeling the wind and the spray of the water on your face as you negotiate your way through the winding river.
It is an exhilarating experience and a great time to share with your friends.
As you learn and practice techniques together it is a great way to build team spirit and encourage people to get on which is perfect if you have people in your stag group who haven't met each other before.
It's not as competitive as some other sports such as paintballing, but it doesn't mean it is any less exciting as you help each other learn and practice the techniques needed to master the canoe.
  What can you expect? When you arrive at your destination you'll be briefed on safety which is of course, of utmost importance.
You'll be handed your safety equipment including your helmet and life vest and you'll be taken down to see the canoes.
Once your instructor feels you are ready you'll hit the water in your canoes and here's you'll practice the techniques you'll need to get the most out of your canoeing experience.
Then you'll have a chance to practice them on the open water.
Out on the water you'll try to master the art of canoeing and key to achieving this is to try and imagine the canoe as an extension of your body.
This can obviously take some time to master but the more you imagine yourself as a single unit in the water, the more control you will find you have.
Canoeing is an energetic sport and don't be fooled in thinking that strolling down a river in a boat is easy work.
this will test your stamina and will certainly build up your appetite and thirst so make sure you have a sturdy meal and perhaps some pints set aside for when you finish.