30 Canoeing & Kayaking Quotes to Inspire You to Explore the Water

Updated October 21, 2021

Like many of you, I find myself continually inspired by nature and being outdoors. From the fresh mountain air to the desert sun, adventuring outdoors always puts me in a better state of being. Although hiking and skiing have a place in my heart, I am a paddling girl through and through! Hopefully, these canoe and kayaking quotes can inspire your next epic outdoor adventure!

Quiet ponds and ocean waves never fail to remind me of nature’s beauty and inspiring ways. Whether you need some motivation to start exploring or just love to paddle (like me) here are some insightful and inspiring canoe and kayaking quotes.

Inspiring Canoe and Kayaking Quotes for Paddlers

Red canoes paddle across the river as inspired paddlers think of their favorite canoe and kayaking quotes. — Kayaking is a great way to explore the outdoors!

Motivating Canoe and Kayaking Quotes for Challenging Paddles

During long or challenging paddles, it is easy to give in to tired arms and fatigue- I know that when my muscles start to burn I usually want to stop paddling! In times like these, I turn to an inspirational quote to help me stay strong. Hopefully, these motivational canoe and kayaking quotes will give you an extra push during those difficult paddles.

1. “As one goes through life, one learns that if you don’t paddle your own canoe, you don’t move.” – Katharine Hepburn

2. “Paradise is just a paddle away.” – Author unknown

3. “Keep your face always toward sunshine and shadows will fall behind you.” ~ Walt Whitman

when the waves become choppy, remember the inspiration canoe and kayak quotes in this guide to help you push through. — Adventure awaits- push through and enjoy the ride! Photo Credit: VisitCOS (Flickr CC)

4. “The storms come and go, the waves crash overhead, the big fish eat the little fish, and I keep on paddling.” – George R. R. Martin

5. “A rough day at sea is better than any day at the office.” – Author unknown

6. “There’s no mastery to be had. You love the attempt. You feel lucky to canoe down it.” –– Garrison Keillor

7. “A river cuts through rock not because of its power but because of its persistence.” – Jim Watkins

8. “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” — Author unknown

a group of kayakers start on a long yet epic kayak journey beside mountains. — Think back to these quotes during long or challenging paddles for some extra motivation! Photo Credit: Headshatter> (Pexels)

Inspiring Canoe and Kayaking Quotes about New Adventures

One of my favorite aspects of canoeing and kayaking is the chance to explore new places- uncharted waters if you will. Out on the water, there are endless possibilities for where you can go and what you may see. In case the thought of water adventure does not immediately inspire you to plan a paddle trip, here are some inspirational canoe and kayaking quotes about embracing new adventures.

9. “When a man is part of his canoe, he is part of all that canoes have ever known.” – Sigurd F. Olson

10. “Open water is a highway to adventure, best traveled by canoe or kayak.” – Author unknown

11. “Originality is unexplored territory. You get there by carrying a canoe – you can’t take a taxi” Alan Alda

experience new adventures around every bend when going canoeing or kayaking. — New adventures are around every bend when exploring on the water. Photo Credit: Headshatter (Pexels)

12. “It is not down in any map; true places never are.” – Herman Melville

13. “The river delights to lift us free, if only we dare let go.” – Richard Bach

14. “Be like water. Flow, crash, fly!”― Md. Ziaul Haque

15. “Adventure is worthwhile in itself.”– Amelia Earhart

catch the early morning sunrise for a paddle experience you will never forget- the views are almost as inspiring as these canoe and kayaking quotes! — Sunrise paddles are full of beauty and adventure for all. Photo Credit: Josh Hild> (Pexels)

Uplifting Canoe and Kayaking Quotes

Besides being a great way to get outdoors and exercise, canoeing and kayaking is simply fun! These uplifting canoe and kayaking quotes will help you acknowledge the sheer awesomeness of paddling outdoors.

16. “Paddling a canoe is a source of enrichment and inner renewal.” -Pierre Trudeau

17. “A canoe does not know who is king. When it turns over, everyone gets wet.” – Malagasy proverb

18. “Happiness is finally leaving the shore.” – Author unknown

19. “The way of a canoe is the way of the wilderness, and of a freedom almost forgotten.” — Sigurd F. Olson

two kayakers enjoy a scenic route down a river and remind themselves of inspirational canoe and kayaking quotes that motivated them to take this journey. — Grab a friend and experience the joy of paddling together! Photo Credit: Lostangelino (Pixabay)

20. “The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful” — e. e. cummings

21. “Water in the boat is the ruin of the boat, but water under the boat is its support.”― Jalaluddin Rumi

22. “A man of wisdom delights in water.” – Confucius

Beginners looking to kayak can rent their gear from outfitters, marinas, or shops along the beach. — Paddlers of all ages come together to share their love of paddling and the outdoors.

Insightful Canoe and Kayaking Quotes about Appreciating Nature

Whether you are bow or stern, nothing compares to looking at the world from the seat of a boat. From spotting wildlife to exploring beautiful ecosystems, paddling offers such a unique way to view and appreciate nature. That being said, these insightful canoe and kayaking quotes will resonate with paddlers who enjoy nature’s beauty.

23. “The rivers flow not past but through us.” – John Muir

24. “So lovely was the loneliness of a wild lake.” – Edgar Allan Poe

25. “A lake is the landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature.” – Henry David Thoreau

26. “Nature always wears the colors of the spirit” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

a kayaker is inspired to explore the green moss forests in this new outdoor adventure. — Reconnect with nature by canoeing or kayaking through epic ecosystems. Photo Credit: Scott Younkin (Pixabay)

27. “The outside is the only place we can truly be inside the world.” ― Daniel J. Rice

28. “There are always flowers for those who want to see them” — Henri Matisse

29. “One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.” — William Shakespeare

30. “A river seems a magic thing. A magic, moving, living part of the very earth itself.” ― Laura Gilpin

With these words of wisdom in mind, you are ready to conquer any outdoor adventure! Now that these inspirational canoe and kayaking quotes have you in an outdoorsy mood, why not check out out latest destination guides and get suited up with our ultimate kayak gear list.

Additional Resources

What to Pack for Canoe and Kayaking Trips

Swimsuit: Wearing a swimsuit is essential for being out on the water! When canoeing and kayaking, chances are you are going to get wet, so best to be prepared! Click here to compare men’s and women’s styles and prices for our favorite swimsuits.
Sunglasses: Being out on the water is beautiful, but the water can really reflect light! Make sure to bring a pair of sunglasses and croakies to keep them from falling off.
Hat: It’s best to keep the sun off of your head to keep you cool. Whether you prefer a nice bucket hat or a vintage baseball cap, keeping cool will ensure an awesome trip.
Water Bottle: Keeping hydrated is no joke! Paddling is a great way to exercise and relax, but that means it takes a lot of energy too! Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout your trip with these cool water bottles.
Sunscreen and Bug Spray: Don’t let the elements stop you from having an amazing paddle! I recommend bringing sunscreen and bug spray in the boat with you to ward off any pests and sunburns.