Kayaking is a sport that is rising in popularity. It involves many different things.
Basically, kayaking involves moving yourself with your own power through water. A paddle is used to do this with the paddle usually having two curved portions on each side to allow for a back and forth action unlike canoeing. This definition, however, fails in many ways since there are extremely different types of kayaking. Let's run through them.
A kayak's meaning is a hunting boat. It has been used throughout history by people living on shores to pursue food in the ocean. The natives of the Arctic are said to be the first kayakers, and they made kayaks using wood and animal skins. In modern times, kayaking refers to a much broader scope of activities. The boat is still the same, though.
Kayaks are long, thin and usually one person boats. They are available in various forms and styles, depending on the kayaking style. Sea kayaks are designed to be very long and narrow, which is needed for easy gliding through the ocean. Kayaks designed for running challenging river rapids, on the other hand, are short to facilitate manoeuvrability and the opportunity to roll to upright oneself after being flipped upside down.
While almost all kayaks are designed to have the person sit down in them, a certain class allows the person to sit on a flat indention on the top of the kayak. Obviously, this type of kayaking is typically done on smooth surfaces such as lakes.
As these designs seem to suggest, kayaking comes in a lot of forms. A number of people love to kayak in the ocean or around bays. Other kayaking enthusiasts prefer to shoot the rapids of extreme rivers and will travel all over the world to do so.
Kayaking can be a source of excitement and adventure or relaxation. The choice is up to you.
Basically, kayaking involves moving yourself with your own power through water. A paddle is used to do this with the paddle usually having two curved portions on each side to allow for a back and forth action unlike canoeing. This definition, however, fails in many ways since there are extremely different types of kayaking. Let's run through them.
A kayak's meaning is a hunting boat. It has been used throughout history by people living on shores to pursue food in the ocean. The natives of the Arctic are said to be the first kayakers, and they made kayaks using wood and animal skins. In modern times, kayaking refers to a much broader scope of activities. The boat is still the same, though.
Kayaks are long, thin and usually one person boats. They are available in various forms and styles, depending on the kayaking style. Sea kayaks are designed to be very long and narrow, which is needed for easy gliding through the ocean. Kayaks designed for running challenging river rapids, on the other hand, are short to facilitate manoeuvrability and the opportunity to roll to upright oneself after being flipped upside down.
While almost all kayaks are designed to have the person sit down in them, a certain class allows the person to sit on a flat indention on the top of the kayak. Obviously, this type of kayaking is typically done on smooth surfaces such as lakes.
As these designs seem to suggest, kayaking comes in a lot of forms. A number of people love to kayak in the ocean or around bays. Other kayaking enthusiasts prefer to shoot the rapids of extreme rivers and will travel all over the world to do so.
Kayaking can be a source of excitement and adventure or relaxation. The choice is up to you.