Whitewater Kayak - An Introduction
The whitewater kayak has a very simplistic history. The concept of the watercraft comes from an idea over 5,000 years old based on pure functionality. Created from animal skins stretched over frames, the long, narrow kayak was built for silent hunting and long distance travel over water.
Today’s whitewater kayak is created to respond to the needs of four different categories of white water kayaking: River running, creeking, slalom, and freestyle. Whitewater kayaking can range from anything from a wild ride down the rapids at breakneck speeds or a nice little paddle out on the water. The construction of a whitewater kayak can be of Kevlar or fiberglass, but most kayaks manufactured today are made from tough, durable plastic that can take a good knock and rough handling.
The kayaks used for descents down a whitewater river and rocky rapids are relatively short creations designed to be able to turn easily around rocks and slip between boulders. Whitewater sports such as river running and creeking use these types of kayaks, where high-class rapids and difficult levels of skill are an integral part of the sport. Maximum maneuverability and speed is what a whitewater kayak is all about. The design of the kayaks for creeking and river running is to increase safety and rounded bows and sterns are typical shapes. Most of these kayaks are barely long enough to hold their paddlers at lengths of about six feet.
These short, speedy kayaks aren’t the only ones out there, though, and many kayaks range up to 12 feet in length. Slalom racers tend to be the ones to use long, slim kayaks that resemble historical kayak designs the most. Regulations for the sport determine length and width of these types of whitewater kayaks. Construction is usually a combination of materials to create lightweight boats built for speed.
A whitewater kayak built for rodeo wave riding and freestyling is very short, with a bow and stern perfect for dipping into the waves. Avid freestyle enthusiasts don’t ride rapids for river kayaking - they find one spot and stay there, using the waves to perform spins, flips, and all sorts of vertical maneuvers. Who knew a whitewater kayak could do tricks!
By Sports Info Editor
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