A paddler is someone who propels a boat through water using a paddle, a long pole with a flat blade on one or both ends. Unlike rowers, who sit facing backward and pull oars through the water, paddlers face forward and push or pull their paddles through the water on alternating sides of the boat.

You'll see paddlers in canoes gliding across lakes, in kayaks navigating whitewater rapids, or on stand-up paddleboards at the beach. Each type of paddling requires different techniques: canoe paddlers typically kneel or sit and use a single-bladed paddle, while kayakers sit low in their boats and use a double-bladed paddle that they dip into the water on both sides.

Paddling has been important throughout human history. Indigenous peoples across North America developed sophisticated paddling techniques and watercraft designs thousands of years ago, using canoes for transportation, fishing, and trade across vast river systems and lakes. Today, some paddlers race competitively, others explore remote waterways for adventure, and many simply enjoy the peaceful rhythm of paddling on a calm morning.

The word can also refer to someone who paddles a surfboard, lying flat and using their arms to move through the water before catching a wave.