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