What Is A Kayak?
A kayak is a type of small boat in which the rider sits facing the bow (front), in the direction of travel, and in his/her hands carries a double-bladed paddle as a propeller. It originates back to the mid 1800’s in northern Europe and around the arctic.
The kayak is a small boat in relation to others, with a semi-closed or open deck, not very wide and elongated. There are many different kinds of kayaks. They can have one, two, or four seats. There are kayaks for rivers, whitewater, speed/track, sea kayaks, rodeo, kayak-polo, whitewater slalom, and recreational.
Unlike the canoe, which could be compared to a family car, the kayak is much more sporty and has a more stylish line. The occupants are seated closer to the water and the upper part is covered, leaving only the place where the paddler is placed free. The number of holes indicates the number of occupants able to fit in the boat. Type K1 is for one person, K2 for 2 people, and K4 for groups of four rowers.
The type of paddle used in kayaks also helps differentiate between canoeing and kayaking. In kayaks, double oars are used with a paddle on each end, which allows easy paddling on one side and then the other.
Due to their maneuverability and better stability, kayaks are usually seen in competitions and more dangerous water areas, such as rapids or whitewater descents. However, they are also widely used on lakes, calm rivers, and the ocean.