Editing Kayaking (section)

==History==
Kayaks were created thousands of years ago by the [[Inuit]], formerly known as [[Eskimo]]s, of the northern [[Arctic]] regions. They used driftwood and sometimes the skeleton of whales, to construct the frame of the kayak, and animal skin, particularly seal skin was used to create the body. The main purpose for creating the kayak, which literally translates to "hunter's boat" was for hunting and fishing.<ref>{{Cite web|title = The Interesting History of Kayaks and the Sport of Kayaking|url = https://www.surftosummit.com/the-interesting-history-kayaks-and-the-sport-kayaking-a-32.html|website = surftosummit.com|access-date = 2015-07-06|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150706090517/https://www.surftosummit.com/the-interesting-history-kayaks-and-the-sport-kayaking-a-32.html|archive-date = 2015-07-06}}</ref> The kayak's stealth capabilities allowed for the hunter to sneak up behind animals on the shoreline and successfully catch their prey.

In the 1740s, Russian explorers led by the Danish-born Russian explorer [[Vitus Bering]] came in contact with the [[Aleut]]ians, who had taken the basic kayak concept and developed multiple designs specifically for hunting, transportation, and environmental conditions. They soon recognized the Aleutians were very skillful at hunting sea otters by kayak. Because otters were a popular commodity in Europe and Asia, they would exploit and even kidnap Aleutians and keep them aboard their ships to work and hunt.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of the Kayak |url=https://www.coastmountainexpeditions.com/kayaking-information/history-of-the-kayak/ |website=coastmountainexpeditions.com |access-date=26 November 2018}}</ref>

By the mid-1800s the kayak became increasingly popular and the Europeans became interested. German and French men began kayaking for sport. In 1931, Adolf Anderle was the first person to kayak down the [[Salzachöfen Gorge]], which is believed to be the birthplace of modern-day white-water kayaking.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McWilliams |first1=Sarah |title=Origins: The History of Kayaking |url=http://atlxtv.com/2013/07/30/origins-kayaking/ |website=Athletic Training Lifestyle |access-date=24 November 2018 |archive-date=15 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215113248/http://atlxtv.com/2013/07/30/origins-kayaking/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1932, long-distance kayaker  [[Fridel Meyer]] paddled from [[Bavaria]] to [[Westminster]], England, and in 1933 she paddled from Westminster to [[Montrose, Angus|Montrose]], Scotland.<ref name="Eichenmulle 2021" >{{cite web |last1=Eichenmuller |first1=Pascale |title=A Little German Girl’ — Fridel Meyer’s attempt to circumnavigate the UK |url=https://www.performanceseakayak.co.uk/Archive/fridel-meyer-uk-circumnavigation/ |website=performanceseakayak.co.uk |publisher=Performance Sea Kayak |access-date=22 December 2022 |date=5 February 2021}}</ref> Kayak races were introduced in the Berlin Olympic Games in 1936.

In the 1950s, [[fiberglass]] kayaks were developed and commonly used, until the 1980s when [[polyester]] and [[polyethylene]] [[plastic]] kayaks were introduced. Kayaking progressed as a fringe sport in the U.S. until the 1970s, when it became a mainstream popular sport. Now, more than 10 white water kayaking events are featured in the Olympics.<ref>{{Cite web|title = History of Kayaking - HowStuffWorks|url = http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/water-sports/kayaking4.htm|access-date = 2015-07-06}}</ref> While kayaking represents a key international watersport, few academic studies have (to date) been conducted on the role kayaking plays in the lives and activities of the public <ref>{{cite journal|last1=Parker|first1=Christopher J.|last2=May|first2=Andrew|last3=Mitchell|first3=Val|title=The Role of VGI and PGI in Supporting Outdoor Activities|journal=Applied Ergonomics|date=2013|volume=44|issue=6|pages=886–94|doi=10.1016/j.apergo.2012.04.013|pmid=22795180|s2cid=12918341 |url=https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/The_role_of_VGI_and_PGI_in_supporting_outdoor_activities/9345974/1/files/16955021.pdf}}</ref>