| Kayaking is a fun outdoor pursuit that like | | | | technique was born. This varies in method but |
| many modern pursuits started as a practical | | | | allows a practised user to right a kayak |
| tool for survival. | | | | without leaving the cockpit, extremely useful |
| | | | for safety. |
| A kayak is a very small boat barely large | | | | |
| enough for one person. They bear a | | | | There are a variety of modern kayaks. They |
| resemblance to a canoe but are historically | | | | are classed depending on the way that they |
| and structurally different. A kayak is very | | | | curve and the measurements of the width and |
| slim and the user's legs cannot be seen, | | | | length. People can buy kayaks that fit more |
| making them appear to be a floating torso | | | | than one person allowing for a family or a |
| with a paddle. They are made from a variety | | | | group of friends to enjoy sailing together. |
| of materials from wood to plastic, fibreglass | | | | More daring people will get specially built |
| or more advanced things like Kevlar. Many of | | | | 'white water' kayaks to brave the rapid |
| these boats are made from a skeleton that has | | | | waters of wild rivers. These are often a |
| a fabric cover. Originally this would be | | | | tough material like a strong plastic and can |
| sealskin, as the Inuits of the Arctic | | | | be used to perform stunts on the rushing |
| invented the first kayaks. They build each | | | | waters, sometimes becoming airborne for a few |
| boat specifically to a person's size so that | | | | seconds. There are kayak variations for |
| no two kayaks are quite the same and they | | | | recreational use, streamlined models for |
| have maximum control. | | | | competitive racing, and even folding kayaks |
| | | | that can be collapsed. These are built on |
| The Inuits used kayaks for hunting, taking | | | | skeletal frames and are the closest to the |
| out a double bladed paddle and a spear, and | | | | original Inuit kayaks. Sea kayaking is a |
| fishing the cold seas. They were typically | | | | widely enjoyed past time but it requires a |
| sewn into the kayak like a piece of clothing. | | | | kayak built for the conditions and with space |
| The obvious danger is that if the boat | | | | for provisions. This is one of many forms of |
| capsizes they will be trapped under the | | | | kayaking that has become a popular activity |
| water; this is where the 'Eskimo roll' | | | | and a widely recognised water sport. |