A kayak is a very simple, small, flat watercraft that is usually propelled primarily by a single, double-sided paddle. The word “kayak” originates from the Greenlandic language ipa (IPA: iphthong). It was called “kerdi” in the native language of the Inuit and Eskimo. Today the word kayak, according to Webster’s Un dictionary, means “a flat-bottom boat having paddle wheels on one side”. In some dictionaries, it means “a craft with a single hull.”
Kayaks can range in size from about forty to about two hundred feet in length (depending on the manufacturer). Most boats are outfitted with a rudder, but some kayakers prefer to control the rudder through the use of paddle controls attached to the front of the boat. Paddle controls function much like a windsurfer uses a fingerboard to manipulate the direction of the waves on the face of the board. Kayakers use the paddle controls to steer their kayak in a forward or reverse direction, to increase the kayaker’s visibility, and to reduce the resistance of the stream. Some kayakers even use a voice to guide them through the kayak waterways.
Smaller kayaks can be maneuvered with only one person while larger, faster boats may require two or more people to move. This increased maneuverability also increases the difficulty of moving a kayak into and out of an area. Kayaking is considered safe for people of all ages. In fact, kayaking is among the most popular freshwater sports in the United States.
Kayaks come in a variety of styles and features including open cockpits, cabin boats, single or twin hulls, self-sticking keel systems, removable masts, built-in rudder systems, pedestal drains, and console lighting. Each of these features provides a different type of kayak user experience. Pushing back against the hull of the kayak pushes the paddle into the water, which helps keep the kayak stable in the direction in which the kayak is moving. The cabin configuration provides a kayak rider with more visibility, and a greater ability to assist another kayaker if necessary. Single hulls are meant for single people or couples, where as twin hulls are designed for more than two people.
Editing a kayak has some similar benefits to traditional canoeing. edited kayaks can hold a much more significant volume of water, which means that one can go out for a longer period of time with the same amount of equipment. A kayak with a built-in trim system will allow the paddler to keep the boat straight when moving into tight areas or trying to catch a ride. It is important to note that sea kayaking requires much more skill than beach kayaking, and a great deal more physical strength and endurance than most kayak fishermen realize.
Paddling against the hull of the kayak provides much more control than pushing against the rails. The ability to change directions mid-paddle makes the kayak much more fun to use as a kayak paddleger rather than simply a backwater kayak paddleger. One must also be able to stand up in the boat, as the boat rides a lot more stably in the water if a person is standing in it. Kayakers with more confidence in their ability to maneuver a boat and their ability to stand in the kayak will generally perform better in a sea kayak excursion. A boat with an enclosed compartments for storage of other items is also a great feature to consider, as it allows a kayak angler more storage room for other kayak supplies.