| Modern kayaks may be categorized into sea kayak, | | | | made of rigid material like polyethylene. The length of |
| white water kayak, racing kayak, and surf kayak. | | | | these kayaks is small (6-10 feet) in comparison to |
| These kayaks are made from wood, rotomolded | | | | others. Small boats are maneuverable but slow. |
| plastic, fiberglass, carbon fiber, Kevlar, or fiber over | | | | Whitewater kayaks do not require inherent speed, as |
| aluminum or wooden frame. They are available in | | | | they move down with the current. In kayak rodeo |
| single, double, and sometimes even in three- or | | | | competition, whitewater paddlers use rapids features |
| four-person models. Let us discuss about the modern | | | | to do tricks while they are in one place on the river. |
| kayak in detail. | | | | 5. Surf kayak: also known as surf skis, are narrow and |
| Modern kayak types: | | | | long kayaks for surf zone rescue and surf breaking |
| 1. Sea kayak: these are designed to accommodate | | | | waves. Surf kayaking uses kayaks similar to |
| one or two paddlers. These are more maneuverable | | | | whitewater kayak design. The only difference is that |
| and have extreme stability and cargo capacity. Sea | | | | they have a planing hull. Surf kayaks can be 12 feet |
| kayak has further subtypes that include: | | | | long to increase the planing speed on wave and to |
| - Strip-built- that is more close to rigid fiberglass boat | | | | have good paddling speed for catching waves. A |
| but very light in comparison to it. | | | | variation to closed cockpit surf kayak design is open |
| - Sit-on-top- these are used for fishing, diving and can | | | | cockpit (Waveski) design. |
| usually accommodate 1-2 but also come have models | | | | 6. Racing kayak: these are designed for speed. To |
| that can accommodate 3-4 people. Normally, the seat | | | | achieve stability, the paddler requires subsatntial skill, as |
| of this kayak is above the water level, so the center | | | | the hull is extremely narrow. These kayaks have |
| of gravity is higher. In order to compensate, the width is | | | | subtypes of flat water and slalom kayak. |
| increased for the same length of a traditional kayak. | | | | 7. Multi type kayaks: these include inflatable and pedal |
| 2. Skin-on-frame- the design, technique, material and | | | | kayaks. |
| construction of these kayaks is more similar to | | | | - Inflatable kayak-these can be easily stored and |
| traditional kayaks. These are the lightest among all and | | | | transported. They are made of polyurethane, PVC, or |
| are being used in Greenland by Inuit people for hunting. | | | | hypalon. You can inflate them with hand, foot, or |
| 3. Recreational- these are built for paddlers interested | | | | electric pump. They are highly portable, stable, easy to |
| in photography, a peaceful paddle in a lake, or fishing. | | | | master, and are slower than traditional boats. |
| These have larger cockpit and wider beam for stability | | | | - Pedal kayak- is a special type of boat using pedals |
| reasons. The capacity of cargo is limited, and the | | | | allowing the paddler to propel the vessel with |
| length is less than 12 feet. | | | | underwater flippers instead of a paddle. |
| 4. Whitewater kayak: are highly maneuverable and are | | | | |