Kayaking and canoeing purely for fun, revolving mainly around off the beach activity, estuary or lake paddling, generally in a sheltered area. Occasionally involving a short run to a secluded beach or riverside meadow for a swim and lunch. This is easy, fun and about getting on the water. In this category there is a range of basic kayaks, sit-ons and open canoes, generally stable, compact and affordable.

Quite simply going from A to B and possibly back. These trips can be as short as half a day  to extended self supporting expeditions on rivers, estuaries and sea, lasting days if not weeks. Generally a bit more seriously undertaken than recreational canoeing, perhaps with more adventurous goals, and certainly with more advanced equipment

Craft usually recommended range from larger one or two man “sit ons”, through medium sized stable kayaks and canoes, to out and out high-tec expedition sea kayaks. A great range but generally designed to have good tracking and speed.

basically revolves around paddling in moving and broken water, the intensity of which can vary from mild rapids to fast moving steep high risk alpine descents and waterfalls. This activity may include "Freestyle" (Kayak acrobatics), down river self supporting expeditions, steep gradient "creek" kayaking and sea wave surfing.

Craft used are normally comparatively short, highly maneuverable, can be inflatable or specialist kayaks and canoes.