What is kayaking
Kayaking is paddling a small, narrow, human-powered boat while sitting facing forward and using a double-bladed paddle. That double blade is the usual way to tell a kayak from a canoe, which is normally paddled with a single-bladed paddle. Some modern kayaks are pedal-driven, but paddling is still the standard picture of the sport.
People kayak on calm ponds, slow rivers, whitewater, coastlines and open sea, and for different reasons: relaxation, exercise, fishing, racing, photography and multi-day travel.
What a kayak looks like
Most kayaks are long and slim with pointed ends, a low profile and a seat close to the waterline. There are two broad layouts:
- Sit-inside kayaks have a cockpit opening where your legs go inside the hull. Some use a spray skirt to keep water out.
- Sit-on-top kayaks have an open deck with molded-in seats and drain holes called scuppers.
Hull length and width vary a lot between recreational, touring, whitewater and racing designs. If the names are unfamiliar, our kayaking terminology guide explains the parts.
History and origins
Kayaks were developed by Arctic peoples, including the Inuit, Aleut and Yup’ik, over thousands of years. Builders typically stretched animal skins over frames made of driftwood or bone and waterproofed them. The boats were used mainly for hunting, and the word “kayak” is commonly translated as something like “hunter’s boat” or “man’s boat”.
Kayaks were later adopted widely in Europe and North America as recreational and sporting craft, and materials moved from skin to wood, canvas, fiberglass and plastics.
Kayaks in competition
Kayak racing became an Olympic sport at the 1936 Berlin Games. Sprint and slalom canoe and kayak events are now part of the Olympic program, and whitewater and marathon paddling have their own world championships. European nations have historically performed strongly in these events.
Famous journeys
- Oskar Speck, a German paddler, set out in a folding kayak in the early 1930s and travelled from Germany toward Australia over several years.
- Franz Romer is widely credited with crossing the Atlantic in a folding kayak in 1928.
Treat distances from older accounts as approximate, since sources differ.
Types of kayaks and materials
- Recreational kayaks are shorter, wider and stable, suited to calm water.
- Touring or sea kayaks are longer, track straighter and usually have sealed compartments for gear.
- Whitewater kayaks are short and maneuverable (see our whitewater kayaking guide).
- Inflatable and folding kayaks are easy to transport and store.
- Pedal kayaks use a foot-driven drive, leaving hands free for fishing or photography.
Common materials include polyethylene plastic (durable and affordable), fiberglass, composites and inflatable fabrics.
Rivers and the difficulty scale
Paddlers describe whitewater using the International Scale of River Difficulty, which runs from Class I (easy) to Class VI (extreme). Conditions change with water levels, so a rating is a guide rather than a guarantee. Our guide to kayaking levels and water conditions explains how to match water to your skill.
Kayaking and your health
Paddling works the shoulders, back and core, and it can be gentle on joints compared with some sports. How much of a workout you get depends on pace, distance and conditions. If you have health concerns, ask a doctor before starting. Being outdoors on the water is also a popular way to relax. For more detail, read about the benefits of kayaking for body and mind.
Safety facts
- Flipping: Recreational kayaks are designed to be fairly stable, but any kayak can capsize, especially in wind, waves, current or if you lean too far. Wider, flatter boats usually feel steadier than narrow touring or racing designs. Learning how to re-enter your boat is useful; our guide to what to do if your kayak capsizes walks through it.
- The 120 rule: A widely shared guideline for cold-water paddling says that if the water temperature plus the air temperature (in Fahrenheit) adds up to 120 or less, you should dress for immersion with a wetsuit or drysuit. It is a rule of thumb, not a guarantee, and local conditions matter.
- Life jackets: Wear one. Rules about carrying and wearing them vary by place. See whether kayaking counts as boating for how regulations usually treat paddlers.
Is kayaking easy to learn
Basic paddling on calm, sheltered water is generally approachable for beginners, especially with a stable boat and a lesson or guided tour. Skills such as rescues, rolling and reading currents take more practice. Start in mild conditions and build gradually, and see essential kayaking skills for what to learn first.
Fun facts about canoes
Canoes are open boats usually paddled kneeling or sitting on a raised seat with a single-bladed paddle. Canoe designs are also very old, with dugout canoes and bark canoes used by many peoples around the world; see the history of the canoe and kayak vs canoe. Today canoe and kayak sprint share the same Olympic sport family.
FAQ
What is fun about kayaking? Many people enjoy the access to quiet water, wildlife and scenery, plus the exercise and the range of styles from relaxed to adventurous.
How likely is a kayak to flip? It depends on the boat, your skill and the conditions. In calm water with a stable kayak it is uncommon, but it can happen, so dress for the water temperature and wear a life jacket.
What does a kayak look like? A long, narrow, low boat with a cockpit or open seat area, steered with a double-bladed paddle.