Editing Kayaking

{{short description|Use of a kayak on water}}
{{pp-semi-indef}}
{{About|double bladed paddle powered propulsion in general|other uses}}
[[File:Woman kayaking on a turquoise lake (51125937521).jpg|thumb|A woman kayaking in a lagoon]]
[[File:Remic Rapids, Ottawa, ON (14018430256).jpg|thumb|Kayaking in [[whitewater]] [[rapids]]]]
'''Kayaking''' is the use of a [[kayak]] for moving over water. It is distinguished from [[canoeing]] by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle. A kayak is a low-to-the-water, canoe-like boat in which the paddler sits facing forward, legs in front, using a double-bladed paddle to pull front-to-back on one side and then the other in rotation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.canoeicf.com/icf/London2012/Media-Section/Difference-between-Kayak-Canoe-Rowing.html |title=ICF - Canoeing, Kayaking and Rowing: So what's the difference anyway? |publisher=Canoeicf.com |access-date=2013-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815083926/http://www.canoeicf.com/icf/London2012/Media-Section/Difference-between-Kayak-Canoe-Rowing.html |archive-date=August 15, 2012}}</ref> Most kayaks have closed decks, although [[Kayak#Sit-on-top|sit-on-top]] and [[Kayak#Inflatable|inflatable kayaks]] are growing in popularity as well.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kayak Review|url=http://www.kayakreview.org/|website=Kayak Review|access-date=July 18, 2015}}</ref>

==History==
Kayaks were created thousands of years ago by the [[Inuit]], formerly known as [[Eskimo]]s, of the northern [[Arctic]] regions. They used driftwood and sometimes the skeleton of whales, to construct the frame of the kayak, and animal skin, particularly seal skin was used to create the body. The main purpose for creating the kayak, which literally translates to "hunter's boat" was for hunting and fishing.<ref>{{Cite web|title = The Interesting History of Kayaks and the Sport of Kayaking|url = https://www.surftosummit.com/the-interesting-history-kayaks-and-the-sport-kayaking-a-32.html|website = surftosummit.com|access-date = 2015-07-06|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150706090517/https://www.surftosummit.com/the-interesting-history-kayaks-and-the-sport-kayaking-a-32.html|archive-date = 2015-07-06}}</ref> The kayak's stealth capabilities allowed for the hunter to sneak up behind animals on the shoreline and successfully catch their prey.

In the 1740s, Russian explorers led by the Danish-born Russian explorer [[Vitus Bering]] came in contact with the [[Aleut]]ians, who had taken the basic kayak concept and developed multiple designs specifically for hunting, transportation, and environmental conditions. They soon recognized the Aleutians were very skillful at hunting sea otters by kayak. Because otters were a popular commodity in Europe and Asia, they would exploit and even kidnap Aleutians and keep them aboard their ships to work and hunt.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of the Kayak |url=https://www.coastmountainexpeditions.com/kayaking-information/history-of-the-kayak/ |website=coastmountainexpeditions.com |access-date=26 November 2018}}</ref>

By the mid-1800s the kayak became increasingly popular and the Europeans became interested. German and French men began kayaking for sport. In 1931, Adolf Anderle was the first person to kayak down the [[Salzachöfen Gorge]], which is believed to be the birthplace of modern-day white-water kayaking.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McWilliams |first1=Sarah |title=Origins: The History of Kayaking |url=http://atlxtv.com/2013/07/30/origins-kayaking/ |website=Athletic Training Lifestyle |access-date=24 November 2018 |archive-date=15 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215113248/http://atlxtv.com/2013/07/30/origins-kayaking/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1932, long-distance kayaker  [[Fridel Meyer]] paddled from [[Bavaria]] to [[Westminster]], England, and in 1933 she paddled from Westminster to [[Montrose, Angus|Montrose]], Scotland.<ref name="Eichenmulle 2021" >{{cite web |last1=Eichenmuller |first1=Pascale |title=A Little German Girl’ — Fridel Meyer’s attempt to circumnavigate the UK |url=https://www.performanceseakayak.co.uk/Archive/fridel-meyer-uk-circumnavigation/ |website=performanceseakayak.co.uk |publisher=Performance Sea Kayak |access-date=22 December 2022 |date=5 February 2021}}</ref> Kayak races were introduced in the Berlin Olympic Games in 1936.

In the 1950s, [[fiberglass]] kayaks were developed and commonly used, until the 1980s when [[polyester]] and [[polyethylene]] [[plastic]] kayaks were introduced. Kayaking progressed as a fringe sport in the U.S. until the 1970s, when it became a mainstream popular sport. Now, more than 10 white water kayaking events are featured in the Olympics.<ref>{{Cite web|title = History of Kayaking - HowStuffWorks|url = http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/water-sports/kayaking4.htm|access-date = 2015-07-06}}</ref> While kayaking represents a key international watersport, few academic studies have (to date) been conducted on the role kayaking plays in the lives and activities of the public <ref>{{cite journal|last1=Parker|first1=Christopher J.|last2=May|first2=Andrew|last3=Mitchell|first3=Val|title=The Role of VGI and PGI in Supporting Outdoor Activities|journal=Applied Ergonomics|date=2013|volume=44|issue=6|pages=886–94|doi=10.1016/j.apergo.2012.04.013|pmid=22795180|s2cid=12918341 |url=https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/The_role_of_VGI_and_PGI_in_supporting_outdoor_activities/9345974/1/files/16955021.pdf}}</ref>

==Design==
Kayaks can also be classified by their design and the materials from which they are made. Each design has its specific advantages, including performance, maneuverability, stability, and paddling style. Kayaks can be made of metal, fiberglass, wood, plastic, fabrics, and inflatable fabrics such as [[PVC]] or rubber, and more recently expensive but feather-light carbon fiber. Each material also has its specific advantages, including strength, durability, portability, flexibility, resistance to [[ultraviolet]], and storage requirements. For example, wooden kayaks can be created from kits or built by hand. Stitch and glue, plywood kayaks can be lighter than any other material except skin-on frame. Inflatable kayaks,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-30|title=Inflatable Kayaks: Are They Safe? {{!}} Kayak Manual|url=https://kayakmanual.com/inflatable-kayaks-are-they-safe/|access-date=2021-12-10|language=en-US}}</ref> made from lightweight fabric, can be deflated and easily transported and stored, and are considered to be remarkably tough and durable compared to some hard-sided [[boats]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Brown|first1=Kevin|title=What Is Best For You; An Inflatable Kayak Or A Hard-Shell Kayak?|url=https://www.surftosummit.com/what-best-for-you-inflatable-kayak-hardshell-kayak-a-26.html|publisher=Surf to Summit|access-date=July 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721133553/https://www.surftosummit.com/what-best-for-you-inflatable-kayak-hardshell-kayak-a-26.html|archive-date=July 21, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kayakguru.com/inflatable-kayak-vs-hardshell/|title=Inflatable vs. Hardshell Kayaks|website=Kayak Guru}}</ref>

==Equipment==
[[Image:Glow worms hig res 003.jpg|thumb|Glowworm Kayaking at Waimarino Adventure Park]]
There are many types of kayaks used in flat water and whitewater kayaking. The sizes and shapes vary drastically depending on what type of water to be paddled on and also what the paddler would like to do. The second set of essentials for kayaking is an off-set paddle where the paddle blades are tilted to help reduce wind resistance while the other blade is being used in the water. These vary in length and also shape depending on the intended use, the height of the paddler, and the paddler's preference. Kayaks should be equipped with one or more [[buoyancy aid]] (also called flotation) which creates air space that helps prevent a kayak from sinking when filled with water. A life jacket should be worn at all times (also called a personal flotation device or PFD), and a [[helmet]] is also often required for most kayaking and is mandatory for [[white water kayaking]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Kayak Safety – Essential Paddling Safety Tips|url=https://globooutdoors.com/kayak-safety-paddling-safety-tips/|website=Globo Outdoors|access-date=19 January 2018|archive-date=25 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225093113/https://globooutdoors.com/kayak-safety-paddling-safety-tips/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=gb>{{cite book|last=Bigelow|first=Jodi|title=Kayaking for Fitness|url=https://archive.org/details/kayakingforfitne0000bige|url-access=registration|quote=Kayaking.|publisher=The Heliconia Press|date=2008|access-date=13 July 2015|isbn=9781896980379}}</ref> Various other pieces of safety gear include a whistle for signaling for help; throwing ropes to help rescue other kayakers; and, a diving knife and appropriate water shoes should be used depending upon the risks the water and terrain pose. Proper clothing such as a dry suit, wetsuit or spray top also help protect kayakers from cold water or air temperatures.<ref>{{cite web|title=American Canoe Association: Paddling 101: A Newcomer's Guide to Safe Canoeing and Kayaking|url=https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.americancanoe.org/resource/resmgr/sei-educational_resources/paddling_101-aca.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.americancanoe.org/resource/resmgr/sei-educational_resources/paddling_101-aca.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Types of kayaks===
"Sit on top" kayaks place the paddler in an open, shallowly concave deck above the water level. This style is usually used for non-white water activities as most find it harder to stay inside the kayak while also preventing them from "rolling" which allows the user to upright themselves if they flip over. There are some benefits to sit on tops such as the ability for a "dry hatch" these are a compartment, that usually runs the length of the kayak, which in addition to providing more buoyancy allows for the kayaker to store various equipment. "Sit on top" kayaks often use "through holes" which allows any water that got in the boat to make it through the deck and dry hatch to drain.<ref>{{cite web|title=Why a sit-on-top kayak?|url=http://www.oceankayak.com/innovation/why_a_sit_on_top/|publisher=Ocean Kayak|access-date=July 18, 2015}}</ref> "Cockpit style" involves sitting with the legs and hips inside the kayak hull with a [[spray deck]] or "spray skirt" that creates a water-resistant seal around the waist. There is a wide range of "cockpit style" boats which usually allow for more user control of the boat as they are able to push against the walls of the boat to tip in order to complete maneuvers. A common variant of "cockpit style" kayaks are "play boats" these are usually very short kayaks in which the user does tricks and maneuvers: "Inflatables" are a hybrid of the two previous configurations; these boats have an open deck, but the paddler sits below the level of the deck. These boats are often subject to more instability due to the way the boat sits higher in the water. They are often used in a more commercial setting, they are often affectionately called "Duckies". "Tandems" are configured for multiple paddlers, in contrast to the single person designs featured by most kayaks. Tandems can be used by two or even three paddlers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kayaking News|url=http://www.paddlelakeerie.com|website=Paddle Lake Erie|access-date=June 27, 2018}}</ref>

==Activities==
[[Image:Sea Kayaking Wilsons Promontory.jpg|thumb|[[Sea kayaking]] at [[Wilson's Promontory]] in [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], Australia]]
Because of their range and adaptability, kayaks can be useful for other [[Outdoor activity|outdoor activities]] such as diving, fishing, wilderness exploration and search and rescue during floods.<ref>{{cite web|title=Equipments|url=http://wilsar.org.uk/equipmet/|publisher=Wiltshire Search and Rescue|access-date=July 18, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722005734/http://wilsar.org.uk/equipmet/|archive-date=July 22, 2015}}</ref>

===Diving===
{{main|Kayak diving}}
Kayak diving is a type of [[recreational diving]] where the divers paddle to a diving site in a kayak carrying all their [[scuba set|gear]] to the place they want to dive. The range can be up to several kilometres along the coastline from the launching point to a place where access would be difficult from the shore, although the sea is sheltered. It is a considerably cheaper alternative to using a powered boat, as well as combining the experience of [[sea kayaking]] at the same time. Kayak diving gives the diver independence from dive boat operators, while allowing dives at sites which are too far to comfortably swim, but are sufficiently sheltered.<ref name="Francis 2003">{{cite web|url=http://www.scubadiving.com/training/basic-skills/kayak-diving|title=Kayak diving|last=Francis|first=John|date=August 2003|work=How to Scuba Dive|publisher=Scuba Diving magazine|access-date=23 February 2014}}</ref>

===Fishing===
{{main|Kayak fishing}}
Kayak fishing is [[fishing]] from a kayak, long a means of transportation and stealthily approaching easily spooked fish, such as [[cobia]] and [[flounder]]. Kayak fishing has gained popularity in recent times due to its broad appeal as an environmentally friendly and healthy method of transportation, as well as its relatively low cost of entry compared to motorized boats.<ref>Routh, Cory (2008) ''Kayak Fishing : The Complete Guide'' No Nonsense Guides. {{ISBN|978-1-892469-19-9}};<br/>
Burnley, Ric (2007) ''The Complete Kayak Fisherman.'' Burford Books. {{ISBN|978-1-58080-147-8}};<br/>
Daubert, Ken (2001) ''Kayakfishing : The Revolution.'' Coelacanth Pubns. {{ISBN|978-0-9678098-2-3}};<br/>
Null, Scott and Mcbride, Joel (2009) ''Kayak Fishing: The Ultimate Guide 2nd Edition.'' Heliconia Press. {{ISBN|978-1-896980-43-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Cost Effective Fishing|url=http://inflatablekayakreview.com/why-you-should-buy-an-inflatable-fishing-kayak/|access-date=7 August 2016|archive-date=18 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190918094302/http://inflatablekayakreview.com/why-you-should-buy-an-inflatable-fishing-kayak|url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition, kayaks allow greater access by their ability to operate in shallow water, getting in and out along the shoreline, and having the ability to get away from the crowds to find a more solitary environment where boats may not have the ability to do so.<ref>{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Jerry |title=Why Fish From a Kayak |url=https://paddling.com/learn/why-fish-from-a-kayak/ |website=Paddling.com |access-date=24 November 2018}}</ref>

[[File:2017 Sarasota Adventure Kayak Guided Tour Cormorant among the Fleet 04 FRD 9405.jpg|thumb|Ecotour guide stands on a kayak, spotting dolphins and manatees around [[Lido Key]].]]

===Ecotourism===
{{main|Ecotourism}}

Ecotourism based on kayak trips is gaining in popularity. In warm-water vacation destinations such as [[Sarasota, Florida|Sarasota Keys]], guided kayak trips take kayakers on a tour of the local ecosystem. Kayakers can watch [[dolphin]]s breach and [[manatee]]s eat seagrass, in shallow bay water.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kayak Coasting, SRQ Magazine(2015)|url=http://www.srqmagazine.com/articles/146/Kayak-Coasting|access-date=2017-04-02}}</ref>

===Whitewater===
{{main|Whitewater kayaking}}
One of the most common uses of kayaks for hobbyists is whitewater kayaking. Whitewater kayaking is when a kayaker traverses down a series of rapids. The difficulty of these rapid ranges from Class I to Class VI. The difficulty of rapids often changes with water level and debris in the river. Debris that inhibits a kayaker's path are often called "strainers" as they "strain" out the kayakers like a colander. There are often training camps as well as man-made structures to help train kayakers.<ref>{{cite web|title= U.S National White Water Center|url=http://usnwc.org/}}</ref>

===Surf ski===
{{main|Surf ski}}
A surfski (or: "surf ski", "surf-ski") is generally the longest of all kayaks and is a performance oriented kayak designed for speed on open water, most commonly the ocean, although it is well suited to all bodies of water and recreational paddling.

===Winter kayaking===
Winter kayaking is inherently more dangerous than regular paddling, as cold water and air temperatures can quickly lead to [[hypothermia]]. The activity requires the use of clothing that negates the effects of the elements on the kayaker.<ref>{{cite web|title=Winter Kayaking Clothes [Prevent Frostbite & Hypothermia]|url=https://pumpupboats.com/winter-kayaking-clothes/|website=PumpupBoats.com|access-date=2021-09-14}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Main|Outline of canoeing and kayaking}}

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Canoe polo]]
* [[Canoe slalom]]
* [[Canoeing]]
* [[Paddleboarding]]
* [[Quadrathlon]]
* [[Surf kayaking]]
* [[Whitewater kayaking]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}

{{Canoeing and kayaking}}
{{water sports}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Kayaking| ]]
[[Category:Canoeing and kayaking|*]]
[[Category:Whitewater sports]]