In my salad days I was in a canoe once....paid 50 cents to rent it in a forest preserve....paddled down the river which was low at that time of the year - it was no more than a stream......made the wrong move at one point, and over I went into the water.
Got soaking wet, and I got back into the canoe and turned and paddled back to the concession booth to return it.
I never got into a canoe again. I was an excellent swimmer, but these aquatic vessels are unpredictable, and I never wanted an unexpected soaking again. I can think of a million more fun things to do on water than paddle, paddle, paddle a canoe....afraid to make the wrong move accidentally and end up in the water....or worse.
Leni