Two paddlers are side by side on the Annisquam River as I write this early Tuesday morning. One is in a hard plastic blue kayak paddling with one long double-bladed oar alternating side to side. The boat is on a calm, steady glide. The kayaker sits inches away from the water on a seat nestled in the cockpit.
The other paddler is in a beautiful custom-made wooden row boat with the oars anchored to the sides. With both oars being pulled simultaneously, the boat creates powerful strides reflected in the wake. The rower sits apart from the water on a seat inside the boat.
The kayaker faces the bow controlling the boat's direction.
The rower faces the stern and constantly looks behind, over the bow, to see where the boat is headed.
Today, I’m kayaking.