New paddlers run into unfamiliar words quickly. This glossary groups common kayaking terms by what you are doing, so you can find them faster. For broader background on the sport, see our kayaking facts.
Parts of a kayak
- Bow: the front of the kayak.
- Stern: the back.
- Hull: the bottom of the boat that sits in the water.
- Deck: the top surface.
- Cockpit: the opening where the paddler sits in a sit-inside kayak.
- Coaming: the rim around the cockpit, where a spray skirt attaches.
- Bulkhead: a wall inside the hull that separates compartments and helps with buoyancy.
- Hatch: a covered opening to a storage compartment.
- Scupper holes: drain holes in sit-on-top kayaks.
- Skeg and rudder: a skeg is a retractable fin and a rudder is a steerable blade, both help with tracking in wind (see skeg vs rudder).
- Deck lines: cords on the deck for holding gear or grabbing the boat.
Directions and positions
- Port: the left side when facing the bow.
- Starboard: the right side when facing the bow.
- Fore and aft: toward the front and toward the back.
- Upstream and downstream: against and with the current.
Paddle terms
- Blade: the flat part that enters the water.
- Shaft: the long section you hold.
- Feathered: blades set at an angle to each other.
- Drip rings: small rings that keep water from running down the shaft.
- Paddle leash: a cord linking paddle to boat or paddler.
Basic strokes
- Forward stroke: moves the kayak ahead.
- Reverse stroke: slows or moves backward.
- Sweep stroke: a wide arc that turns the kayak.
- Draw stroke: pulls the boat sideways.
- Brace: a stroke that uses the paddle on the water to prevent a capsize.
- Roll: righting a capsized kayak without leaving it.
Each stroke is explained step by step in kayak strokes explained.
Gear terms
- PFD: personal flotation device, or life jacket.
- Spray skirt: a cover that seals the cockpit.
- Dry bag: a waterproof storage bag.
- Bilge pump: a pump for removing water from the cockpit.
- Wetsuit and drysuit: clothing for cold-water protection.
- Float plan: details of your route and return time left with someone ashore.
For a full packing list, see the kayaking gear checklist.
Water and weather terms
- Current: moving water.
- Eddy: a calmer area behind an obstacle in a river.
- Rapids: fast, turbulent water, rated by class.
- Put-in and take-out: where you start and finish.
- Portage: carrying your boat around an obstacle.
- Surf and swell: waves on open water.
- Tide: the rise and fall of sea level.
Safety and rescue terms
- Capsize: when the kayak turns over.
- Wet exit: leaving the kayak after a capsize.
- Self-rescue: getting back into your boat on your own.
- Assisted rescue: another paddler helps.
- Paddle float: an inflatable aid used for re-entry.
These methods are covered in kayak capsizing: what to do if you flip.
Cold-water rules of thumb such as the 120 rule are covered in our kayaking facts.
Kayak types and what they are called
- Recreational kayak: stable and suited to calm water.
- Touring or sea kayak: longer, with storage, for open water.
- Sit-on-top: an open deck design.
- Inflatable kayak: air-filled and easy to carry.
- Whitewater kayak: short and maneuverable. A river kayak is generally one of the whitewater designs, though some river-touring boats exist; see river running kayaks.
Slang
Slang varies by region and community. Common examples include:
- Boof: a technique for lifting the bow when going off a drop in whitewater.
- Hole: a recirculating feature in a river.
- Swim: to end up out of your boat in the water.
- Beatdown: a long period of being tossed in a hole or a rough stretch.
- Creeking: paddling steep, small whitewater streams.
- Combat roll: a roll done under real, stressful conditions.
Common questions
What does “kayaked” mean? It is the past tense of kayak, meaning you paddled a kayak.
What do you call a person who kayaks? A kayaker or paddler.
Can you kayak in the ocean? Yes, many people do, usually in sea kayaks and with suitable skills, gear and attention to weather and tides. Some paddlers also ask whether kayaking counts as boating, which matters for rules at sea.
What are some funny sayings about kayaking? Popular ones include “keep calm and paddle on” and “life is better on the water”. They are informal and vary from group to group.