Kayaking is the practice of using a kayak to go over water. The way the paddler sits and the number of blades on the paddle set it apart from canoeing are the most obvious differences. In a kayak, the paddler sits forward, legs in front, and uses a double-bladed paddle to pull front-to-back on one side and then the other in a circular motion to propel the boat ahead. Sit-on-top and inflatable kayaks are becoming increasingly popular, but closed-deck kayaks are still the most common.

History of kayaking

In the northern Arctic, the Inuit, once known as Eskimos, invented kayaks thousands of years ago. The structure of the kayak was made from driftwood and whale skeletons, while the body was made from animal skin, primarily seal hide. The kayak, which means “hunter’s boat” in English, was originally designed for hunting and fishing. The hunter was able to sneak up behind animals on the coastline and successfully grab their prey because of the kayak’s stealth characteristics.

As early as the 1740s, Russian explorers led by the Danish explorer Vitus Bering encountered Aleutians whose people had adapted the kayak’s fundamental shape to suit their needs for hunting, transportation, and survival. In little time, they learned that the Aleutians were expert kayak hunters of sea otters. Because of the high demand for otters in Europe and Asia, the Aleutians were exploited and even kidnapped and forced to labor and hunt onboard their ships.

For decades, fiberglass kayaks dominated the market until polyester and polyethylene kayaks were produced in the 1980s. Until the 1970s, kayaking in the United States was a niche activity. That changed in the 1970s when it became a mainstream pastime. The Olympics now offer more than ten different white water kayaking competitions. Even though kayaking is a major international water sport, there have only been a few academic studies on the importance of kayaking in everyday life and activities.

Kayak design

Additionally, kayak designs and materials can be used to categorize kayaks. Performance, maneuverability, stability, and paddling style are just some of the features that each design has to offer. (padlespesialisten) With the advent of carbon fiber kayaks that are extremely light and strong but also a little on the pricey end of the spectrum, there are a variety of materials that can be used to make kayaks. (https://www.padlespesialisten.no/categories/sup)

There are numerous advantages to each material in terms of durability and portability as well as resistance to UV light and storage needs. For instance, a wooden kayak might be made from a kit or built from scratch. A skin-on-frame kayak can only be lighter than a kayak made of plywood if it is constructed with stitches and glue. An inflatable kayak may be deflated and packed in a small space, making it easier to travel than a hard-sided kayak. They are also believed to be more robust than some hard-sided kayaks.

Kayaking activities

Kayaking tags along with various interesting activities. They include:

Fishing
Diving
Ecotourism
Surf ski
Winter kayaking

Note: During the winter, chilly water and air temperatures can quickly cause hypothermia, making winter kayaking more perilous than ordinary paddling. To participate in kayaking, the wearer must be protected from the elements.