paddler

noun

pad·​dler ˈpad-lər 

ˈpa-dᵊl-ər

plural paddlers

: one who paddles something (such as a canoe or kayak)

One of the most rewarding sights to greet an early morning canoeist is that of a great blue heron feeding along the edge of a lake. … If the paddler is careful, he can glide close to the huge blue-gray bird …

—Ton de Joode and Anthonie Stolk

In a freestyle competition, paddlers use small, flat-bottomed, and often blunt-ended, funky-looking white-water kayaks to perform routines for judges.

—Nancy Coulter-Parker

Examples of paddler in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The kayak tour, ideal for beginners as well as experienced paddlers, takes about one hour to complete and goes three miles down the Cumberland River, finishing in the heart of Downtown Nashville. —Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 26 July 2025

Like other paddlers, Wiki went through all three training cohorts to hone her paddling skills. —Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 21 July 2025

Photos posted by the sheriff’s office show a hazard sign warning visitors of the waterfall nearby and indicating paddlers should wear life jackets. —Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 21 July 2025

There’s also a stone patio and a private fine-sand beach for swimmers and paddlers. —Mary Forgione, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for paddler

• saddler