She loves skating. She has been doing it since she was 2 and can spend hours on the ice. She is now preparing for the regionals. She is not competing seriously: she is too little. But she likes the idea of going out on the ice in front of an audience.
As to kayaking, I have never canoed so I cannot compare. But it is lots of fun, and you can tailor it to your interests and your level of skill. Not everybody is interested in going down class 5 rivers... or skilled enough to do it
We actually paddle in a lake 5 minutes away from our home. It is lots of fun. Today H had to help rescue a jet skier whose intake tubes got choked with algae. He tried to clean them with the paddle, and when he could not he helped the boaters get a line through to the skier (they were not very skilled at actually throwing it ).
And did I mention that you lose quite a few inches in the waist by paddling? Arms and shoulders are important, but HIPS RULE...
"You don't throw a whole life away just 'cause it's banged up a little"
Tom Smith in "Seabiscuit"
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