Some injuries associated with canoeing and kayaking include:
- Shoulder – the muscular force required to push the paddle through the water can cause an injury, such as a strain or sprain.
- Wrist – the repetitive motion of moving the paddle can, over time, lead to overuse injuries of the wrist joints.
- Impact injuries – for example, a person who has fallen into the water risks getting hit by the canoe or another object such as a floating log.
- Heat stress or dehydration – canoeing and kayaking are outdoor activities that often take place in the summer or on open water, where shade is scarce and sun exposure can be extreme.
- Sunburn – overexposure to the sun can cause sunburn and skin damage. Reflected radiation from water can increase the levels of ultraviolet (UV) exposure for canoeists or kayakers.
- Hypothermia – falling into cold water when not wearing a wet suit can cause hypothermia, a dangerous and potentially fatal drop in body temperature.
- Drowning – while the risk of drowning is always present with any water-based activity, deaths from canoeing.