Kayak cross is a contact sport, so paddlers competing against the clock can use their paddles to impede their opponents. If that’s not enough, kayakers must also perform an Eskimo flip before crossing the finish line. This is a 360-degree flip in the water with the kayak and then landing back in an upright position.

This sequence of events is repeated over and over again, and the winners move on to the next round until the finalists face off for the championship. It’s a combination of all whitewater sports, and as you can probably tell, it’s not for the faint of heart.

Kayak cross rules

Kayak cross competitors must follow strict safety rules if they want to avoid disqualification. Here are the rules:

• Both hands must be on the paddles at all times.
• Competitors may make contact with another kayaker’s boat to push them off the course, but they may not ram into the bodies of other competitors.
• Using a paddle to prevent a competitor from moving forward is prohibited.
• Paddles must not have sharp edges, and all equipment, including life jackets and helmets, must comply with the rules of kayaking and canoeing.
• Violation of the start is grounds for disqualification.
• Missing a buoy on the course or passing a buoy on the wrong side can also lead to disqualification.
• Completion of the Eskimo flip within the designated boundaries is mandatory for all participants.

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• Always wear a life jacket.
• Before getting into the kayak, make sure that all zippers/locks on the life jacket are fastened, well secured and not torn.
• Be sure to wear a protective helmet. You can slip when getting in or out of the kayak and be seriously injured.
• Do not paddle too far! Especially if you are a beginner kayaker.
• Plan your trip carefully and in advance. Tell your family and friends the route of your trip.
• Carefully check all your equipment every time you plan a kayak trip. Even the smallest tears or damage cannot be ignored and needs to be fixed or repaired.
• Always stay as close to the shore as possible. Exceptions may be areas of the sea coastline where waves are actively forming.
• Always follow the rules of navigation in the waters where you are.
• Learn how to send an SOS signal.
• Do not panic if you find yourself overboard. Learn self-rescue techniques. Practice them!
• Always try to sail in groups. The recommended minimum is three kayaks.
• Choose a route and level of difficulty that suits your physical fitness.

Safety rules for beginners:

In addition to the above, inexperienced paddlers should be doubly careful and make extra efforts to avoid any danger or injury during kayaking.

You should know how to launch your kayak and basic paddling techniques, as well as basic paddle movements (how to cast off, how to dock sideways, how to deploy the kayak efficiently and quickly, etc.) This will help you to control the kayak. A kayak trip will only be successful if you use the correct paddling technique.

It is quite safe to start kayaking in a group of experienced kayakers of at least 3 people with you. This will help you learn a lot in the shortest possible time.

Planning a kayaking trip alone can turn out to be a disaster for you, as you may not foresee all the potential threats.

Plan your first trips in calm, stagnant water (or in a slow current). This will allow you to get used to the need to paddle steadily and steadily.

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Kayaking has appeared recently, but in a short time it has become quite popular. It can be practiced on various bodies of water: lakes, rivers, seas, oceans, and reservoirs.

What are the types of kayaking?

There are several types of kayaking:

• sea (recreational): calm rafting on various bodies of water;
• extreme: rafting on mountain rivers;
• Expeditionary: one of the types of water tourism that involves kayaking;
• freestyle: rafting on rough water with the performance of various tricks (“shaft”, “barrel”, etc.);
• Rowing slalom: a rafting event where participants compete for speed;
• canapolo: a game of water polo played on kayaks;
• squirt kayaking: performing tricks and figures underwater and on the water surface.

Competitions are held in freestyle, paddle slalom, canapolo, and squirt kayaking. The most popular among them are rowing slalom and freestyle tournaments.

What equipment is needed for kayaking?

You need a kayak for training. There are different types of kayaks:

• slalom;
• for freestyle;
• game kayak;
• for alloys.

Kayaks are made of carbon, polyethylene, and fiberglass. As a rule, a kayak has room for one person. But there are also kayaks that can accommodate two or three people.

You also need a helmet, life jacket, swimsuit or swimming trunks. For rafting on a stormy river, a wetsuit is worn, as the water in mountain rivers is cold.

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The first kayaks were rudimentary structures built about 5000 years ago by the Inuit and Aleut people to move quickly on water. Located in Arctic North America, these tribes built kayaks from any material they could find, including animal skins, bones, and wood.

MAIN TYPES OF KAYAKS

There were usually two main types of kayaks. The first was made of driftwood. The second was built from whalebone. Both types were covered with animal skins and coated with whale oil to make them waterproof. Seal bladders were often filled with air and attached to certain parts of the boat to make it more buoyant. Although these kayaks were extremely lightweight and easy to transport, they were not very durable.

SIZE COMPARISON

Similar to the kayaks you are familiar with today, ancient models were made in different lengths. For example, large open boats called umiaqs measured 60 feet or more. These long vessels could carry entire families along with their belongings. Hunters used small canoes to sneak up on animals in the water. These boats were maneuverable, lightweight, and easy to operate, similar to modern ships.

FIRST USED FOR SPORTS

In the mid-1800s, kayaks were introduced in Europe as a padded vessel for sailing on cold waters. The Germans and French were the first to use boats for recreation, while tribes at the North and South Poles still used boats for exploration.

OLYMPIC GAMES

In 1936, kayak racing was added as an event to the Berlin Games. Subsequently, kayakers developed a much lighter and more resilient boat, and in the 50s kayaks were made of fiberglass.

KAYAKING TODAY

Modern kayaks are made of durable polyethylene, which can last from 10 to 15 years if properly maintained. They are available in a variety of colors, styles, and lengths to choose from. Tandem kayaks are ideal for sharing with friends and are also harder to tip over and easier to control.

Kayaking on the Colorado River is a good place to test the water. By booking a trip, you can experience the excitement of the sport in a safe environment and make great memories.

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