Kayaks are amazing watercraft and, while television shows about outdoor life would have you think otherwise, their purpose is very different from that of the modest canoe. Kayaks were created for a particular reason and throughout the years, that purpose has remained the kayak’s very own, irreplaceable by any other watercraft.
Kayaks were created by the Aleuts and the Inuit people living in the arctic regions of the world. These groups of people often had very, very cold water which could be lethal if left to sit around a person’s feet for too long. To correct this problem, the Aleuts and Inuit created closed-top boats that were made to fit only one or two people, which allowed them to keep the water out of their boats and thus helped them stay warmer in the arctic climate.
Today, modern technology has created multiple types of kayaks. It’s hard to categorize all the different boats that came from the original kayak, but they may be broadly categorized as sea kayaks, whitewater (or river) kayaks, surf kayaks, and racing kayaks.
Sea kayaks are used for one or two paddlers and are designed with stability and cargo capacity in mind. They are generally not very maneuverable compare to whitewater kayaks, highly-maneuverable watercraft constructed usually for only a single paddler. Whitewater kayaks were built for moving rapidly down rapids and through rocks, which has become a popular sport these days. Surf kayaks are narrow, long boats constructed for breaking waves and surf zone rescues, built for rescuing people who fall overboard from boats near land. Racing kayaks are designed for speed. Sadly, with their incredibly narrow hulls, they’re very, very difficult to maneuver and take quite a bit of skill to direct properly.
Modern kayaks are typically constructed from roto-molded plastic, wood, fabrics over wooden or aluminum frames, fiberglass, Kevlar, or carbon fiber. They come in one-, two-, and occasionally three- or four-person models. Generally, people purchase a single person kayak or two person kayak and use them for white-water rafting or racing, since their sleek design allows for greater maneuverability and speed.
If the idea of zipping down a river quickly, moving easily through rapids to get an adrenaline rush and overcome a challenge of nature appeals to you, then a sport kayak may well be the boat for you. It’s quick, maneuverable hull allows for just the kind of speed and break-neck motions your adrenaline-loving heart desires. If you prefer to be at one with nature and glide silently over smooth waters, a sea-kayak would be an excellent choice for a relaxing ride.
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