rowing, kayaking and canoeing is... sculling (?), paddling (?)

[GeneD]

There are several sports in which oars are used: rowing, kayaking, canoeing. Is there a general word in English for the three mentioned? I know a couple (sculling, paddling), but don't know if they suit here.

 

[Tarheel]

I think "rowing" is the most general term.

 

[Rover_KE]

Google 'surface water sports'.

 

[GeneD]

Google 'surface water sports'.

There are too many.:shock: :-D
The thing is, asking my question, I wondered if there is a general term for paddling and sculling sports; I thought there might be since in Russian we have one. Having already asked the question in post 1, I googled "sculling" and "paddling", and arrived at a conclusion that "paddling" is suitable for kayaking and canoeing, and "sculling" for rowing; and that there appears to be no term for the three sports in which oars are used. (Maybe I wasn't precise using the word "oar": I thought it was a general word for paddles and sculls. Now I'm not sure. )

I think "rowing" is the most general term.

It was my first candidate, especially after reading the dictionary entry which goes: rowing - the activity of moving a boat through water using oars, either for pleasure or as a sport (http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/rowing). But after looking through the article in wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rowing_(sport)), I thought it was unlikely. It's getting more and more intriguing. Do you, in the US, use "rowing" for kayaking and canoeing?

I've googled again, and there is a bit different definition of "rowing" in wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rowing. It's interesting because I thought that rowing needs two oars, and there are instances when only one oar is okay for it.

(edited) Well, wikipedia says as follows: The difference between paddling and rowing is that rowing requires oars to have a mechanical connection with the boat, while paddles are hand-held and have no mechanical connection.

 

[GoesStation]

Do you, in the US, use "rowing" for kayaking and canoeing?

I've googled again, and there is a bit different definition of "rowing" in wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rowing. It's interesting because I thought that rowing needs two oars, and there are instances when only one oar is okay for it.

(edited) Well, wikipedia says as follows: The difference between paddling and rowing is that rowing requires oars to have a mechanical connection with the boat, while paddles are hand-held and have no mechanical connection.

You've found good information. Only someone unfamiliar with kayaking and canoeing would call them "rowing".

It is a little surprising, now that I think about it, but I don't think English has a general term for the activity of propelling a small boat with paddles or oars.

 

[emsr2d2]

It is a little surprising, now that I think about it, but I don't think English has a general term for the activity of propelling a small boat with paddles or oars.

I'm no longer surprised by anything about my native language. ;-)

 

[Skrej]

I can't think of a general purpose word, either. We just use whichever verb is appropriate for the given vessel.