Kayak collocation

Question

Dear all,I´m looking for a verb collocating with "kayak" (the verb to describe how you move a kayak). The reason: One of my students wrote this (in an e-mail to a travel agent offering adventure holidays): "I am in good shape but I´ve never been on a kayak tour. Do you think it is possible for me to drive them?". "to drive" is obviously wrong, but what do we say instead? Row? Or is that only for boats?I hope someone can help.Thanks!Judit

BarbaraPA · Accepted Answer

You paddle them.

Hope he has a ton of fun. It's a very different way to experience the water.

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks, Grammar Geek! While on the subject, what is the difference between "to paddle" and "to row"?

Judit

BarbaraPA · Answer

An oar has the flat part, the part that goes in the water, on one end and a handle on the other. They go in oarlocks, mounted to the side of the boat. The movement you make with the oar will always pivot around the oar lock.

A paddle can also have a handle at one end, often in the shape of T, such as the type used for a canoe. You can move the paddle anywhere you want.

A kayak paddle has a blade on either end, and you hold it in the middle. You put one side in the water to propel the boat forward, then the other. By the way, tell him to make sure he's using his body, not his arm, and don't think of pulling the paddle toward him, but of keeping the paddle in place and pushing the boat past that point.

You can use the verb "to paddling" or "go kayayking" to refer to the activity, by the way, though "go padding" has meaning only to those who do it.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you! I´ll tell him! :-)

Judit

Kayak collocation

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