Kayaking History
Kayaking dates back to the 1900s when the Inuits, the native people of the Arctic, used Kayaks to hunt seals across chilly waters of the area. Kayak literally means ‘hunter’s boat’, and was made out of wood and covered with animal skins.
Other natives in the Arctic such as Aleuts made their own boat designs to suit their area. Over time, European settlers learned about Kayaks and they started using them in boating down whitewater rivers on mountain ranges.
As the years progressed, there was a remarkable change in the way the Kayaks are made. Different materials were used to make the boats more appropriate to be used in Sea Kayaking and Whitewater Kayaking. From animal skins and wood, manufacturers came up with boats made of fiberglass and plastic. Consequently, foldboats or collapsible Kayaks were developed for easy transport and storage. Nowadays, Kayaks come in different designs and features to meet the demands of the growing population of kayakers.
From crafts made mainly for hunting in the Arctic, Kayaks were soon used by the Europeans for fun, and eventually they were used for competition events. It was John MacGregor who introduced Kayaking and canoeing as a sport in Europe and the United States. Around 1845, he designed a boat called Rob Roy with a Cockpit at the middle, and he used a two-bladed Kayak Paddle.
Kayaks and Kayaking have indeed come a long way. The evolution of Kayaks became very evident through the years. Different materials are used in boat construction. In addition, more features are added to suit the demands of Kayaking as a form of recreation and sport. With all these developments and the many types of Kayaking that people can take part in, it’s no wonder more and more enthusiasts are getting engrossed with this activity. No one knows what the future brings in the world of Kayaking. For now, experience what it has to offer. Learn the basic Paddling skills and enjoy Kayaking!
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Basics & Backgrounds
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