Very interesting study: Canoeing & Kayaking represent 15% of all boating fatalities

The US Coast Guard each year reports boating fatalities. The information is collected from state boating administrators and is required by federal law. For the year 2007 canoeing and kayaking represent 15% of all boating fatalities. That translates to 200 (or 2001 depending upon what chart you are looking at) canoeing kayaking deaths in 2007 compared to 153 in 2006. There is no breakdown between sea kayaking and whitewater kayaking. However 16 of the deaths are whitewater activities.

They report 31 of the fatalities are due to alcohol abuse/use and 25 fatalities due to operator in experience.

See Accident Statistics.