| Kayaking is increasing in general popularity. And one | | | | recreation. From these primary classifications stem |
| major reason is that they are not as expensive as | | | | many sub-classes. For example, a fishing kayak is |
| boats and even by yourself, It´s fun. Kayaking is | | | | simply a general recreation kayak outfitted with |
| the use of a kayak for moving across water. | | | | features and accessories that make it an easier |
| Kayaking is generally differentiated from canoeing by | | | | kayak to fish from. Also within these classifications |
| the fact that a kayak has a closed cockpit and a | | | | are many levels of performance which further |
| canoe has an open cockpit. However, there are | | | | separate the individual models. In other words, not all |
| many sit-on-top kayaks, and these boats are growing | | | | touring kayaks handle the same. |
| in popularity. They also use a two bladed paddle. | | | | There are two major configurations of kayaks - "sit |
| Another major difference is in the way the paddler | | | | on tops" which as the name suggests involves sitting |
| sits in the boat. Kayakers sit in a seat on the bottom | | | | on top of the kayak in an open area and "cockpit |
| of the boat with their legs extended out in front of | | | | style" which involves sitting with the legs and hips |
| them. Canoeists will either sit on an elevated bench | | | | inside the kayak hull and a "spray skirt" that creates |
| seat or kneel directly on the bottom of the boat. | | | | a watertight barrier around the waist. Whether a |
| Whitewater kayaking involves taking a kayak down | | | | kayak is a sit-on-top or a cockpit style has nothing to |
| rapids. Sea kayaking sometimes also referred to as | | | | do with which classification it falls under. Both |
| Ocean Kayaking involves taking kayaks out on to the | | | | configurations are represented in each of the five |
| ocean or other open water i.e a lake. Sea kayaking | | | | primary classifications. While most kayaks are |
| can involve short paddles with a return to the | | | | designed to be paddled by a single person, other |
| starting point or "put-in" or expeditions covering many | | | | configurations include tandem and even triple cockpit |
| miles and days. Kayaking of all kinds has continued to | | | | boats. |
| increase in general popularity through the 1990s and | | | | Because of their range and adaptability, Kayaking is |
| early 21st century. | | | | popular amongst divers, fishers, and adventure |
| Kayaks are classified by their intended use. There are | | | | enthusiasts. The current marathon kayaking world |
| five primary classifications: whitewater, surf, touring | | | | champion is Owen Dabney. |
| expedition, light touring/day tripping and general | | | | |