"A kayak is a small, narrow human-powered watercraft typically propelled by means of a long, double-bladed paddle."
Paddling a small boat, usually on rivers or lakes. Kayaks have a slim design, with one or two persons on board.
Kayak design and structure: How to choose the right kayak based on its shape, size, and material. The different parts of a kayak and their function.
Safety and rescue techniques: Basic safety measures necessary for kayaking, including wearing a life jacket, knowing the weather forecast, and understanding the potential risks. Rescue techniques, like flip recovery and wet exit, to help you or others get back into the kayak in case of capsizing.
Paddling techniques: How to hold the paddle correctly and the different paddle strokes such as forward, backward, turning strokes, and bracing. Also includes paddling on moving water and still water.
Navigation: How to read a map and compass, understanding tide and current, using landmarks, and GPS for navigation when kayaking.
Equipment and gear: Essential gear to pack for a kayaking trip; waterproof clothing, shoes, paddle, life jackets, and helmets. The different types of kayaking equipment, like cartops, dry bags, and bilge pumps.
Trip planning: Tips for planning kayaking trips, including how to choose a location, packing, and route planning for the trip, and taking care of permits.
Environmental awareness: Understanding environmental policies and protocols when you're kayaking, how to minimize the impact of outdoor activities, and leave no trace.
Camping: Tips for camping during kayaking trips, such as choosing camping locations, setting up tents, and cooking and sleeping arrangements.
Wildlife and ecology: Understanding the environmental importance of kayaking and the local flora and fauna, and how to interact with wildlife while preserving their habitats.
Emergency preparation: First aid and rescue preparation, like packing a first aid kit, and understanding how to call for help and handle potential emergencies while kayaking.
Sea kayaking: Kayaking on open water, including oceans, bays, and large lakes.
Whitewater kayaking: Kayaking in fast-moving, turbulent water, such as rapids and waterfalls.
Touring kayaking: Long-distance kayaking on calm to moderately choppy water, often involving overnight camping.
Surf kayaking: Kayaking in the ocean surf zone, typically using specialized surf kayaks.
Fishing kayaking: Kayaking for the purpose of fishing, using specialized kayaks and equipment.
Recreational kayaking: Kayaking on calm, easy-to-navigate water in a relaxed setting.
Racing kayaking: Competitive kayaking in a variety of styles, disciplines, and distances.
Freestyle kayaking: Kayaking focused on performing tricks and stunts in various types and levels of water.
Slalom kayaking: Competing against the clock while navigating a series of gates in turbulent whitewater.
Canoe polo: A team sport involving kayaks and a ball, played in a pool or shallow water.
Kayak surfing: Kayaking on ocean waves for recreational or competitive purposes.
Eskimo rolling: A technique used to right a capsized kayak in whitewater or open water.
Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP): A form of kayaking that involves standing on a board and using a paddle to navigate on calm water.
Kayak camping: A combination of kayaking and camping, where the kayak is used to transport equipment and supplies to remote camping locations.
Kayak expeditions: Traveling long distances by kayak, often in remote and challenging environments, for exploration or adventure purposes.
"The word kayak originates from the Greenlandic word qajaq."
"In British English, the kayak is considered to be a kind of canoe. While technically understandable, in the North American sense this is not the case."
"The traditional kayak has an enclosed deck and one or more cockpits, each seating one occupant or kayaker."
"The spray deck is sometimes covered by a spray deck that prevents unwanted entry of water from waves or splashes, differentiating the craft from an open-deck canoe."
"The spray deck makes it possible for suitably skilled kayakers to roll the kayak, i.e. to temporarily capsize and submerge the kayak without it filling with water or ejecting the paddler."
"Some modern paddlecrafts vary considerably from a traditional kayak design but still claim the title 'kayak', for instance, in eliminating the cockpit by seating the paddler on top of a canoe-like open deck (i.e. 'sit-on-top' kayaks)."
"Replacing the single hull with twin hulls; and replacing handheld paddles with other human-powered propulsion methods such as pedal-driven propeller and 'flippers'."
"Some kayaks are also fitted with an external source of propulsion, such as a battery-powered electric motor, a sail, or even a completely independent gasoline outboard engine."
"The kayak was first used by the indigenous Aleut, Inuit, Yupik and possibly Ainu people hunters in subarctic regions of the world."
"A kayak is a small, narrow human-powered watercraft typically propelled by means of a long, double-bladed paddle."
"The word kayak originates from the Greenlandic word qajaq."
"While technically understandable, in the North American sense this is not the case."
"The traditional kayak has an enclosed deck and one or more cockpits, each seating one occupant or kayaker."
"The spray deck is sometimes covered by a spray deck that prevents unwanted entry of water from waves or splashes, differentiating the craft from an open-deck canoe."
"The spray deck makes it possible for suitably skilled kayakers to roll the kayak."
"Some modern paddlecrafts vary considerably from a traditional kayak design."
"Replacing handheld paddles with other human-powered propulsion methods such as pedal-driven propeller and 'flippers'."
"Some kayaks are also fitted with an external source of propulsion, such as a battery-powered electric motor, a sail, or even a completely independent gasoline outboard engine."
"The kayak was first used by the indigenous Aleut, Inuit, Yupik and possibly Ainu people hunters in subarctic regions of the world."