Last Updated on December 22, 2025 by Afsar
Kayaking and canoeing are more than outdoor activities. They are experiences that create a deep connection with nature while offering both calm moments and adrenaline-filled challenges. From gliding across quiet lakes at sunrise to handling fast-moving rivers or travelling along open coastal waters, every trip on the water carries its own rhythm and reward. Time spent paddling often brings clarity, confidence, and a strong sense of presence that stays with you long after the journey ends.
To honour the passion behind these water-based adventures, this collection brings together 30 inspiring and motivational quotes about kayaking and canoeing. Each quote reflects the freedom, focus, and joy that come with life on the water. Whether you are an experienced paddler or just starting out, these words speak to the shared spirit of adventure that unites everyone who picks up a paddle. Grab your gear, listen to the pull of the water, and let these quotes add motivation to your next trip.
Kayak Quotes
- “Kayak more, worry less.” – Author unknown
- “Live, love, paddle.” – Author unknown
- “The storms come and go, the waves crash overhead, the big fish eat the little fish, and I keep on paddling. (Varys)” – George R.R. Martin, A Clash of Kings
- “The two best reasons to buy a kayak rather than just renting are sunsets and sunrises.” – Thomas P. Jones
- “yes, I do have a retirement plan. I plan on paddling.” – Author unknown
- “Stress is caused by not enough kayaking.” – Author unknown
- “Money can’t buy you happiness, but it can buy you a kayak and that’s kind of the same thing.” – Author unknown
- “Do I want to go kayaking again? For shore.” – Author unknown
- “Kayaking is cheaper than a psychiatrist.” – Author unknown
- “Life is simple. Just keep paddling.” – Author unknown
- “Home is where the dog and the kayak are.” – Author unknown
- “Yes, I do have a retirement plan. I plan on kayaking.” -Author unknown
- “I’d rather be kayaking.” – Author unknown
- “Kayaking is my therapy.” – Author unknown
- “I don’t need therapy, I just need to go kayaking.” – Author unknown
- “If in doubt, paddle out.” – Author unknown
- “Keeping it reel in my kayak.” – Author unknown
- “Paddles up, people.” – Author unknown
- “Let’s kayak where the WiFi is weak.” – Author unknown
- “I’d rather be kayaking'” – Author unknown
- “Born to kayak forced to work”. – Author unknown
Canoe Quotes
- “Refuse to accept the belief that your professional relevance, career success or financial security turns on the next update on the latest technology. Sometimes it’s good to put the paddle down and just let the canoe glide.” – Burt Shavitz
- “Everyone must believe in something. I believe I’ll go canoeing.” – Henry David Thoreau
- “Wherever there is a channel for water, there is a road for the canoe.” – Henry David Thoreau
- “Paddling a canoe is a source of enrichment and inner renewal.” – Pierre Trudeau
- “What sets a canoeing expedition apart is that it purifies you more rapidly and inescapably than any other. Travel a thousand miles by train and you are a brute; pedal five hundred on a bicycle and you remain basically a bourgeois; paddle a hundred in a canoe and you are already a child of nature.” – Pierre Trudeau
- “If there’s a place, Canoe there.” – Brent Kelly
- “As one goes through life, one learns that if you don’t paddle your own canoe, you don’t move.” – Katharine Hepburn
- “A river is more than an amenity, it is a treasure.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
- “Love many, trust few, but always paddle your own canoe.” -American proverb
- “I’ve always thought that you should concentrate on paddling your own canoe.” – John Dos Passos
Afsar is an avid kayak blogger born near the coast. He has a passion for kayaking and started as a child. He has paddled in various conditions and locations and promotes responsible kayaking. Afsar’s blog is widely read, and they are a respected voice in the kayaking community, offering valuable content on kayaking trips, gear, tips, and tricks. Afsar collaborates with other bloggers and brands and continues to inspire others through their writing and social media.