The History of Kayaks
Canoeing and Kayaking go back
to the dawn of human culture. The word "kayak"
literally means "hunter's boat." The kayak was
useful for transport, but it was a miraculous
hunting tool, facilitating a quiet approach
towards one's desired prey. The covered deck
of the kayak made it more sea-worthy and better
able to shed waves than the traditional canoe.
Kayaks are mostly used during summer months,
primarily for hunting and fishing.
Similar to the kayak, the umiak
is a larger boat which can carry up to 20 people.
The umiak and the kayak existed side by side,
both finding useful niches for transporting
and hunting throughout history.
Kayak design varied according
to the specific needs of inhabitants of particular
regions. For instance, early kayaks designed
by inhabitants surrounding the Bering Straight
were wider and shorter. Whereas the kayaks from
Greenland were sleek and low. Kayaks from Baffin
Island were wider and longer.
The kayak was first created by
the Inuit, an artic people. Interestingly, despite
being the birth place of the kayak, very little
archaeological evidence of the covered kayak
can be found on the Siberian Coast.
Early Eskimos made kayak frames
using driftwood, and early kayaks were wrapped
in sealskins.
In fact, most early kayaks were
fabricated using wood for the frame and then
tied together using sinew, or tendons, with
a seal skin cover. Kayaks were virtually unsinkable
with air-filled seal bladders. Today, very few
traditional skin kayaks are still in use and
the knowledge of their construction is quickly
fading. Other early kayaks were made from whalebone
or driftwood.
The materials that have been used
to make a kayak have changed significantly with
the years. Europeans eventually discovered the
versatility of the kayak, and kayaks once designed
with sealskins were designed by Europeans with
fabric covers. This method continued until the
1950's when a company known as Valley Products
began producing the first fiberglass kayak.
Then in 1984, the first plastic kayak was introduced.
Kayaks continue to become lighter, sturdier,
and more versatile.
Now there are several types of
kayaks designed with various materials suitable
for a variety of sporting events. Today, kayaking
is accessible to all skill levels, providing
a quiet and gas-free form of breathtaking travel,
exploration and exercise.
About the Author: Rob Daniels
is an avid kayaker and outdoor enthusiasts more
at Snorkeling Shop http://www.snorkeling-shop.com
and Kayak Escape http://www.kayak-escape.com
