The Fun And Challenge Of Kayaks

Kayaks are long, thin and usually one person boats. They are made predominately of plastic, fibreglass, or kevlar, and more currently hybrid plastics which manufacturers name such as Airalite or TCS. Kayaks are designed for one person or two and sometimes more. They are often more difficult to manoeuvre in poor weather, as compared to powerboats. Kayaks are not readily visible on a ship's radar. Kayaking has evolved into several types, sea kayaking, whitewater, racing and slalom are some examples.

Inflatable kayaks are easy to paddle and compete favourably with expensive fibreglass models. They do not compare to a kids vinyl toy boat you might see at the beach. Inflatables are lightweight, won’t scratch up your vessel, and are easily launched or lifted back on board by hand. Inflatable kayaks are an easier and safer option for beginners than hard-shell kayaks, yet provide paddlers with similar freedom of movement on the water. They have the big advantage of being compact and portable. More and more recreational boaters are coming to appreciate the unique advantages of soft and rigid bottom inflatable boats as compared to traditional aluminium or fibreglass hulls. Kayaking in an inflatable is very safe, easier to learn and more forgiving. The lifespan of inflatables is long, and many used models are in great condition.

Whitewater kayaking is exciting, but also can be dangerous, so the expense of lessons is well spent. These kayaks are manoeuvreable, lightweight and durable, designed for rapids, obstacles and even surfing. Whitewater Kayaks are highly manoeuvrable boats, usually for a single paddler, and are designed to be able to turn quickly and move around obstacles in the flow of the water. Whitewater kayaks, which generally depend primarily upon river current for their forward motion, are built quite short, to maximize manoeuvrebility. Whitewater kayaks may be designed for quick turns and tricks such as cartwheels. It takes some practice, skill, and determination. Whitewater kayaks could be considered the sports cars of the paddling world. In deciding to learn whitewater kayaking, it is generally a good idea to start at a kayak shop that specializes in teaching whitewater kayaking. Over the past few years the whitewater kayak has become more specifically designed as a "playboat", as most whitewater kayakers enjoy playing on various river features such as standing waves and holes. They are custom fit to the paddler, as this provides greater control, and ensures a tight fit when in circumstances such as being inverted.

Folding kayaks are a special breed among kayaks in general. Folding kayaks can last for decades, not only due to the materials but also due to the fact the individual pieces can be replaced. Folding kayaks reached their highest level of development in usage by military units of many different countries. They are an excellent choice for the apartment dweller who has no storage space for a long, rigid kayak, and they can be transported disassembled in the trunk or back seat of the smallest car. Folding kayaks are made with removable fabric covers stretched over hinged wood or metal frames. They are less responsive than hard shell kayaks and can be time consuming to set up. The obvious advantage to a folding kayak over the far more common plastic or fibreglass boats available is storage. When not in use, a folding kayak can be stored in an apartment or car trunk.

Recreational kayaks are ideal for those individuals looking to paddle close to shore and for relatively short distances. They are stable and easy to manoeuvre, making them ideal for quiet water paddling on lakes, ponds and class I rivers. Recreational kayaks come in different sizes for comfort and often have storage areas for daytrip equipment. They also make an ideal introduction to the sport of paddling. Recreational kayaks are not meant to do both whitewater and flat water. They just don't have the support to take this abuse. Most recreational kayaks are between 9 and 14 feet long.

A kayaks usage is just as varied as the colours and materials it can be made from.