| We have many varied kayaks to choose from these | | | | the measurements were typically taken from three |
| days with it would appear every sport, style and | | | | lengths of the paddlers out stretched arms for the |
| requirement catered for. There are fiberglass kayaks, | | | | length of the kayak and the width was measured at |
| inflatable kayaks, sit on tops, kayak fishing boats | | | | approximately the size of the paddlers hips plus around |
| equipped with outriggers, racing kayaks, surf and sea | | | | two fists. |
| boats and so on. | | | | A skin coat called a tuilik or annuraaq was made to |
| Today kayaks are purchased mainly for recreational | | | | form a water proof seal around the face and wrists |
| and sporting pursuits with very few people still relying | | | | of the paddler. This was also secured to the cockpit of |
| on them to as a means of survival. | | | | the kayak forming a watertight seal enabling the |
| These days anybody of any age can buy a kayak | | | | paddler to perform an Eskimo roll in the event of a |
| and with little or no experience go off for a paddle. For | | | | capsize. It was similar to the spray skirts worn by |
| the Eskimos, Inuit and Aleut people kayaking was a | | | | kayakers today. |
| way of life. These indigenous people of North East | | | | The people in these regions used kayaks to hunt for |
| Asia used kayaks four thousand years ago as a | | | | seals and caribou. Variants of the kayak were also |
| means of survival and as a result a young boy would | | | | built. The Baidarka which had two or three cockpits |
| be trained at a very young age how to use his | | | | and was designed to carry goods and the Umiak |
| paddles to manoeuvre the kayak and critically how to | | | | which would be classed as a canoe as it had no |
| roll it. | | | | cockpit and was paddled using single bladed paddles. |
| The kayak played a pivotal part in their existence and | | | | Up until the 1950s kayaks and canoes were based on |
| as such was treated and given the highest respect. | | | | these ancient designs. The styles, shapes and |
| The name kayak means 'Hunters boat' or 'man boat' | | | | functions began to change dramatically with the |
| and to this end women were confined to only being | | | | introduction of fiberglass. |
| able to make the waterproof covering from seal skins | | | | In the 1970s rotomoulded plastic first appeared which |
| and under no means were they allowed to touch the | | | | radically brought about changes to kayaking that we |
| kayak itself. | | | | can see today. Kayaks made from fiberglass, Kevlar, |
| The actual frames of these early kayaks were | | | | carbon fiber and polyethylene have enabled kayaks to |
| constructed from driftwood as there was a lack of | | | | be designed for many purposes including sit on top |
| trees in these regions. The kayak was made | | | | tops for kayak fishing, inflatable kayak recreation and |
| specifically for the person who would be using it and | | | | sport pursuits and even kayaks for military operations. |