| Kayaking is the process by which a kayak will be | | | | Whitewater kayaking. While traditional kayaks |
| used to move through rivers or lakes. The kayak | | | | were made from wood and animal skins, most |
| is a small boat that must be powered by a | | | | kayaks today are made from materials such as |
| human. It will have a deck which is covered, and it | | | | kevlar or fiberglass. Some people will challenge |
| will also feature a cockpit that is covered as well. | | | | fast moving rivers by using a kayak to move |
| A special paddle is used to push it forward, and | | | | through certain sections of a river. These trips |
| this boat was first invented by the Inuit and Aleut | | | | may last a single day, or could last multiple days. |
| hunters in the colder regions of North America. A | | | | Whitewater Racing is a professional competition in |
| contemporary kayak can come in a wide variety | | | | which racers will attempt to use kayaks to |
| of different styles, and kayaking is a sport which | | | | outrace each other. |
| is enjoyed by many people. Research has | | | | The term creeking is used to describe kayaking in |
| indicated that the kayak has existed for at least | | | | difficult rivers. People who practice creeking can |
| 4,000 years. | | | | expect to run into slides, waterfalls, and ledges. |
| Some kayaks can hold a maximum of three | | | | Slalom is another form of kayaking in which |
| people, but they will commonly only seat one or | | | | racers will try to get to the bottom of the |
| two people. The person will sit in the cockpit | | | | specific part of a river. Not only must they move |
| facing forward, and the spray skirt will stop water | | | | quickly, they must also move around gates, and |
| from getting into the craft. While the Aleut or | | | | these are poles that have been set up at certain |
| Inuit males would design kayaks to be used for | | | | points in the river. Most Slalom races will have |
| hunting, some kayaks were specifically designed | | | | over 20 gates on a single course, and they must |
| for women. Generally, a kayak will be about 17 | | | | be properly navigated. Playboating is another |
| fee long, and could be 22 inches wide and 7 inches | | | | variation which places an emphasis on the artistic |
| deep. In the early models, the kayak could almost | | | | side of kayaking instead of the speed. |
| be compared to an additional layer of clothing. | | | | With this style, the participants will generally |
| Kayaks are commonly used today by people who | | | | remain in one portion of the river, and will seek to |
| practice kayaking. | | | | move from one point to another. However, they |
| Kayaking is the process of paddling a kayak on | | | | will need to work against the power of the river |
| water that is moving. While some people consider | | | | in order to achieve this. Kayaking is a sport that is |
| it to be a sport, others do it for mere recreation. | | | | popular in places that have strong river. However, |
| There are multiple forms of kayaking, and the | | | | it can be dangerous, and some participants have |
| two most common are Sea kayaking and | | | | died in the most difficult rivers. |