A narrow watercraft, sometimes totally covered save for the middle spot where the kayaker(s) sits; and paddles his/her way through waters with a double-bladed paddle. That’s it, a Kayak. A pretty unique name if you ask me. It means The Hunter’s Boat' in the old native language of the Inuit.
Kayaks are believed to have been in existence almost four thousand years ago in the northern Arctic regions. They were made by the Eskimos, currently known as the Inuit. The very first models were constructed with driftwood or whale skeleton, and the frame covered with seal skin. The main, and mostly only use for them was hunting in the Arctic Ocean, North Pacific, Bearing Sea, North Atlantic as well as inland lakes. The present times have however seen the Kayak get constructed with modern commercial products. They include:
rotomold, fiberglass, kevlar and royalex. Hunting isn't the primary use for Kayaks anymore, no. It is a tool for fun, excitement, adventure and thrill from all the exercising, transport and recreational activities it enables. Most especially, WATER SPORTS.
Activities involving kayaks.
Generally, kayaking is just the act of moving a kayak through the water. This act has diverse uses given all the activities kayaks are put into. It mostly became popular with the Europeans during the mid180os. It is the French and Germans that began Kayaking for sporting activities. In 1936 during the Berlin Olympic Games, the very first global kayak races were introduced. It progressed to the United States as a fringe sport. It is only in nineteen seventy that Kayaking became a mainstream sport. Currently, the Olympics features quite a number of kayaking events.
Whitewater kayaking.
Modern-day whitewater kayaking is believed to have originated at Salzachofen Gorge in 1931. This is when one, Adolf Anderle kayaked down the gorge. The very first person to attempt the thrill with respect to historical records. It involves dappling the boat down a moving water mass, most especially a whitewater river. There different activities in whitewater kayaking:
Squirt boating involves the kayaker, together with the boat getting submerged into the river for several breathless seconds.
Playboating is a much more artistic form of whitewater kayaking. Here, the kayaker stays on one spot in the river and performs mind-blowing rodeo moves. They may include donkey flips, surfing moves, spinning maneuvers, and many other freestyle moves while working with and against water mass forces in the river. Pretty cool, right? Well, James Bebbington, Eric Jackson, Peter Czonka and Stephen Wright are some of the known talented playboating souls. You can try your luck on this one. It’s sort of gymnastics on water.
The only whitewater kayaking to ever get featured in the Olympics is Slalom. It is a technical paddling skill that requires participants to get the bottom of a river with the least time possible while navigating gates. Creeking is a more extreme racing event on whitewater. The racers compete against each other on steep and dangerous sections of the river. Rapids and waterfalls involved.
Surf kayaking.
Just like surfboarding, surf kayaking is simply the act of surfing against ocean waves with kayaks. A pretty thrilling experience but quite dangerous for non-experienced surfers. So far, only death has been recorded which occurred in Bastendorff Beach, Oregon. The Male was known to be an experienced surf kayaker. Imagine what could at stake for a total amateur.
Kayak diving.
Are you an adventurer? What better way to explore waters in areas not so accessible by other means. Child, what’s more, thrilling than diving and exploring the waters under with scuba gear and a kayak. Tell me, what? What’s more, Kayakers can get access to palaces that most boats cannot reach.
Kayak fishing.
This is becoming a very popular sport, especially gaining wildfire population in South Africa. Manufacturers have specifically made modern models to specifically suit the craft. I wonder though if one went on a solo kayak fishing and caught a pretty enormous fish. Larger than the Kayak itself, where would help put it. Wait, is that even possible, catching an enormous big one with a simple rod? What am I even saying Dakini. (Swahili for though).
Ecotourism.
Kayaks have become a popular means of transport to promote ecotourism. Watching dolphins from their comfort, taking in the magnificent view of oceans and seas with something more unique than regular boats. Have you been to a kayak leisure ride trip yet? No? Well, there goes your next aEIto do' happy activity. They say life is too short to miss out on all the fun things.
Snow kayaking.
So far we have delved on kayaks on water. Now take that experience to an extreme winter sports experience. Enthralling, daring and pretty much crazy and nuts are the adjectives for this dare. It is like sledding, but with a paddle. I mean, take a moment and imagine this scene. Kayaking on F-word snow. You say you love adventure right? The adrenaline blood cuddling kind? There goes your challenge child of a worried mother somewhere. One more thing added to your crazy bucket list. I hope your guardian angel is strong hearted. Good luck.
Types of kayaks.
They come in a variety of models and types. The most notable ones are:
The sit on a top model that has the kayaker seated on an open deck. The cockpit-style model is what defines the kayak. The paddler seats with his legs stretched out below the spray deck. They have a water-resistant seal around the waist. The inflatable model is just what its name suggests. They also happen to be hybrids of the sit on top and cockpit style. The tandems are customized to fit more than one paddler in a kayak. There are two or more than two kayaker designs.
There is quite a number of kayak championships held across the globe. The ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships, USA freestyle kayaking, Canadian Sprint Canoe Kayak Championships, World Surf Kayak Championships and lastly but not least, World Freestyle Kayak Championship.
Kayaks are fascinating. All the activities carried out by them are not just recreational activities, they serve as aerobic exercises as well. See, a kayak doesn’t just make you happy, it makes you healthy as well. Adds more life to your years, and more years to your life because you are bound to laugh on a kayak trip. That much is definite. I hope you get to create a kayak memory, a kayak moment soon. Embrace the kayak of all trades.
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