Kayaking is a water sport. It involves rafting down a stormy river in a rowing boat – a kayak. It is also referred to as one of the types of water tourism or active recreation. A person who is engaged in this sport is called a kayaker.
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.