Editing Kayak (section)

== Types ==
{| class="toccolours" align="right" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin:0 0 1em 1em; font-size=90%;"
|-
! bgcolor="#ccccff" align="center"| Major kayak types
|-
|[[Sea kayak]]
|-
|[[Whitewater kayaking|Whitewater kayak]]
|-
|[[Recreational kayak]]
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|[[Sprint kayak]]
|}
Modern kayaks have evolved into specialized types that may be broadly categorized according to their application as ''sea or touring kayaks'', ''whitewater'' (or ''river'') ''kayaks'', ''surf kayaks'', ''racing kayaks'', ''fishing kayaks,'' and ''recreational'' kayaks. The broader kayak categories today are 'sit-in' (SI), which is inspired mainly by traditional kayak forms, 'sit-on-top' (SOT), which evolved from paddle boards that were outfitted with footrests and a backrest, 'hybrid', which are essentially canoes featuring a narrower beam and a reduced free board enabling the paddler to propel them from the middle of the boat, using a double blade paddle (i.e. 'kayak paddle'), and twin hull kayaks offering each of the paddler's legs a narrow hull of its own.
In recent decades, kayaks design have proliferated to a point where the only broadly accepted denominator for them is their being designed mainly for paddling using a kayak paddle featuring two blades i.e. 'kayak paddle'. However, even this inclusive definition is being challenged by other means of human powered propulsion, such as foot activated pedal drives combined with rotating or sideways moving propellers, electric motors, and even outboard motors.

=== Recreational ===
[[File:Runaground.jpg|thumb|[[Recreational kayak]]|alt=Photo of single-person kayak sitting on land]]
{{Main|Recreational kayak}}
[[Recreational kayak]]s are designed for the casual paddler interested in [[fishing]], [[photography]], or a peaceful paddle on a lake, flatwater stream or protected salt water away from strong ocean waves. These boats presently make up the largest segment of kayak sales. Compared to other kayaks, recreational kayaks have a larger cockpit for easier entry and exit and a wider beam ({{cvt|27|–|36|in|cm|order=flip}}) for more stability. They are generally less than {{cvt|12|ft|m|order=flip}} in length and have limited cargo capacity. Less expensive materials like polyethylene and fewer options keep these boats relatively inexpensive. Most canoe/kayak clubs offer introductory instruction in recreational boats. They do not perform as well in the sea. The recreational kayak is usually a type of touring kayak.

=== Sea ===
{{Main|Sea kayak}}
[[File:Recreational kayak.jpg|thumbnail|Kayaking in a double on [[Lake Union]] in [[Seattle, Washington]], [[United States]]|alt=Photo of rear of person wearing orange life preserver sitting in kayak with buildings in far background]]

''Sea kayaks'' are typically designed for travel by one, two or even three paddlers on open water and in many cases trade maneuverability for seaworthiness, stability, and cargo capacity. Sea-kayak sub-types include "skin-on-frame" kayaks with traditionally constructed frames, open-deck "sit-on-top" kayaks, and recreational kayaks.

The sea kayak, though descended directly from traditional types, is implemented in a variety of materials. Sea kayaks typically have a longer waterline, and provisions for below-deck storage of cargo. Sea kayaks may also have [[rudder]]s or [[skeg]]s (fixed rudder) and upturned bow or stern profiles for wave shedding. Modern sea kayaks usually have two or more internal [[Bulkhead (partition)|bulkheads]]. Some models can accommodate two or sometimes three paddlers.

==== Sit-on-top ====
[[File:Tri-Yak kayak sit-on-top FeelFree for three persons.jpg|thumb|Sit-on-top three-person kayak]]
[[File:Taupo-0977.jpg|thumb|upright|Sit-on-top kayaks]]
[[File:Sit-On-Top kayak with outriggers.jpg|thumb|Sit-On-Top kayak with outriggers]]
<!--[[File:sea kayak hawaii.JPG|thumb|right|A paddler in a sit on top kayak explores [[Kealakekua Bay]] in [[Hawaii]].|alt=Photo of person sitting in boat with paddle. Island in background.]]Fuzzy, distant shot-->
Sealed-hull ("unsinkable") craft were developed for leisure use, as derivatives of [[surfboard]]s (e.g. paddle or wave skis), or for [[Breaking wave|surf]] conditions. Variants include planing surf craft, touring kayaks, and sea marathon kayaks. Increasingly, manufacturers build leisure 'sit-on-top' variants of extreme sports craft, typically using polyethylene to ensure strength and affordability, often with a skeg for directional stability.

Sit-on-top kayaks come in 1–4 paddler configurations. Sit-on-top kayaks are particularly popular for fishing and [[Scuba diving|SCUBA diving]], since participants need to easily enter and exit the water, change seating positions, and access hatches and storage wells. Ordinarily the seat of a sit-on-top is slightly above water level, so the center of gravity for the paddler is higher than in a traditional kayak. To compensate for the higher center of gravity, sit-on-tops are often wider and slower than a traditional kayak of the same length.

Water that enters the cockpit of a sit-on-top kayak drains out through [[scupper]] holes—tubes that run from the cockpit to the bottom of the hull. The ''cockpit'' is thus self-bailing. The hull may be sealed, or perforated by hatches and deck fixtures. Contrary to popular belief, the sit-on-top kayak ''hull'' is not [[self-bailing]], since water penetrating it does not drain out automatically, as it does in bigger boats equipped with self-bailing systems. Furthermore, the sit-on-top hull cannot be molded in a way that would assure water tightness, and water may get in through various holes in its hull, usually around hatches and deck accessories. If the sit-on-top kayak is loaded to a point where such perforations are covered with water, or if the water paddled is rough enough that such perforations often go under water, the sit-on-top hull may fill with water without the paddler noticing it in time. If a sealed hull develops a split or hole, it will also fill and sink.

=== Surf ===
{{Main|Surf kayaking}}
[[File:Mcneil-surffest2007a.JPG|thumb|[[Surf Kayaking]] competition, [[Tofino]], Canada|alt=Photo of beach, with several kayaks strewn around and people in background]]
Specialty surf boats typically have flat bottoms, and hard edges, similar to surf boards. The design of a surf kayak promotes the use of an ocean surf wave (moving wave) as opposed to a river or feature wave (moving water). They are typically made from rotomolded plastic, or fiberglass.

[[Surf kayaking]] comes in two main varieties, High Performance (HP) and International Class (IC). High Performance boats tend to have a lot of nose [[#Rocker|rocker]], little to no tail rocker, flat hulls, sharp rails and up to four fins set up as either a three fin thruster or a quad fin{{according to whom|date=December 2013}}. This enables them to move at high speed and maneuver dynamically. International Class boats have to be at least {{cvt|3|m|ft}} long and until a recent rule change{{when|date=May 2021}} had to have a [[wikt:convex|convex]] hull; now flat and slightly [[wikt:concave|concave]] hulls are also allowed, although fins are not. Surfing on international boats tends to be smoother and more flowing, and they are thought of as kayaking's ''long boarding''. Surf boats come in a variety of materials ranging from tough but heavy plastics to super light, super stiff but fragile foam–cored carbon fiber. Surf kayaking has become popular in traditional surfing locations, as well as new locations such as the [[Great Lakes]].

==== Waveskis ====
[[File:Waveski By Macski South Africa.JPG|thumb|A waveski. [[Skeg]]s below. The straps form back- and foot-rests.]]
{{Main|Waveski}}
A variation on the closed-cockpit surf kayak is called a waveski. Although the waveski offers dynamics similar to a sit–on–top, its paddling technique and surfing performance and construction can be similar to surfboard designs.

=== Whitewater ===
[[File:Whitewater kayaking Isere.jpg|thumb|[[Whitewater kayaking|Whitewater kayak]]|alt=Photo of man in kayak holding paddle nearly parallel to the boat, surrounded by white water]]
{{Main|Whitewater kayaking}}

[[whitewater kayaking|Whitewater]] kayaks are rotomolded in a semi-rigid, high impact plastic, usually polyethylene. Careful construction ensures that the boat remains structurally sound when subjected to fast-moving water. The plastic hull allows these kayaks to bounce off rocks without leaking, although they scratch and eventually puncture with enough use. Whitewater kayaks range from {{cvt|4|to|10|ft|m|order=flip}} long. There are two main types of whitewater kayak, playboats and river-running boats. Creekboats (for small rivers) and squirt boats are more specialized.

==== Playboat ====
[[File:Kayaker Air Loop Reno.JPG|thumb|Playboating competition]]
{{Main|Playboat}}
One type, the ''playboat'', is short, with a scooped bow and blunt stern. These trade speed and stability for high maneuverability. Their primary use is performing tricks in individual water features or short stretches of river. In playboating or ''freestyle'' competition (also known as ''rodeo'' boating), kayakers exploit the complex currents of [[Rapids|rapid]]s to execute a series of tricks, which are scored for skill and style.

[[File:Kayak Hokkaido - river near Lake Shikotsu - 2016 08 15 .webm|thumb|River kayaks in [[Hokkaido]], [[Japan]]]]

==== Creekboats and river-running kayaks ====
The other primary type is the creek boat, which gets its name from its purpose: running narrow, low-volume waterways. Creekboats are longer and have far more volume than playboats, which makes them more stable, faster and higher-floating. Many paddlers use creekboats in "short boat" downriver races, and they are often seen on large rivers where their extra stability and speed may be necessary to get through rapids.

Between the creekboat and playboat extremes is a category called ''river–running'' kayaks. These medium–sized boats are designed for rivers of moderate to high volume, and some, known as ''river running playboats'', are capable of basic playboating moves. They are typically owned by paddlers who do not have enough whitewater involvement to warrant the purchase of more–specialized boats.

==== Squirt boats ====
[[File:Squirt boat.jpg|thumb|A squirt boat barely floats, allowing the paddler to submerge completely.]]

[[Squirt boating]] involves paddling both on the surface of the river and underwater. Squirt boats must be custom-fitted to the paddler to ensure comfort while maintaining the low interior volume necessary to allow the paddler to submerge completely in the river.

=== Racing ===

==== Whitewater ====
White water racers combine a fast, unstable lower hull portion with a flared upper hull portion to combine flat water racing speed with extra stability in open water: they are not fitted with rudders and have similar maneuverability to flat water racers. They usually require substantial skill to achieve stability, due to extremely narrow hulls. Whitewater racing kayaks, like all racing kayaks, are made to regulation lengths, usually of fiber reinforced resin (usually epoxy or polyester reinforced with Kevlar, glass fiber, carbon fiber, or some combination). This form of construction is stiffer and has a harder skin than non-reinforced plastic construction such as rotomolded polyethylene: stiffer means faster, and harder means fewer scratches and therefore also faster.

==== Flatwater sprint ====
[[File:Kajak (1).jpg|thumb|Single-person racing]]
{{Main|Sprint kayak}}
Sprint kayak is a sport held on calm water. Crews or individuals race over 200&nbsp;m, 500&nbsp;m, 1000&nbsp;m or 5000&nbsp;m with the winning boat being the first to cross the finish line. The paddler is seated, facing forward, and uses a double-bladed paddle pulling the blade through the water on alternate sides to propel the boat forward. In competition the number of paddlers within a boat is indicated by a figure besides the type of boat; K1 signifies an individual kayak race, K2 pairs, and K4 four-person crews. Kayak sprint has been in every summer olympics since it debuted at the [[Canoeing at the 1936 Summer Olympics|1936 summer olympics]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canoeicf.com/icf/Aboutoursport/Canoe-Sprint.html |title=ICF – Canoe Sprint |publisher=International Canoe Federation |access-date=July 18, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008234648/http://www.canoeicf.com/icf/Aboutoursport/Canoe-Sprint.html |archive-date= October 8, 2010 }}</ref> [[Canoe racing|Racing]] is governed by the [[International Canoe Federation]].

==== Slalom ====
{{Main|Slalom canoeing}}
Slalom kayaks are flat–hulled, and—since the early 1970s—feature low profile decks. They are highly maneuverable, and stable but not fast in a straight line.

==== Surfskis ====
[[File:JRH16683.jpg|thumb|Surfski kayaks]]
{{Main|Surf skis}}
A specialized variant of racing craft called a ''surf ski'' has an open cockpit and can be up to {{cvt|21|ft|m|order=flip}} long but only {{cvt|18|in|cm|order=flip}} wide, requiring expert balance and paddling skill. Surf skis were originally created for surf and are still used in races in New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. They have become popular in the United States for ocean races, lake races and even downriver races.

==== Marathon ====
Marathon races vary in distances from ten kilometres to over 1000 kilometres for multi-day stage races.

=== Specialty and hybrids ===
The term "kayak" is increasingly applied to craft that look little like traditional kayaks.

==== Inflatable ====
{{Unreferenced section|date=September 2021}}
[[File:28.8.15 Vyssi Brod Weir 090 (20773207060).jpg|thumb|right|An inflatable sit-on-top kayak]]
[[File:Inflatable Kayak.png|thumb|upright|An example of a man using an inflatable kayak]]

Inflatables, also known as the ''duckies'' or ''IKs'', can usually be transported by hand using a carry bag. They are generally made of [[hypalon]] (a kind of [[neoprene]]), [[nitrilon]] ([[nitrile rubber|nitrile-rubberized]] fabric), [[polyvinyl chloride|PVC]], or [[Polyurethane laminate|polyurethane-coated cloth]]. They can be inflated with foot, hand or electric pumps. Multiple compartments in all but the least expensive increase safety. They generally use low pressure air, almost always below {{cvt|3|psi|bar|1|order=flip}}.

While many inflatables are non-rigid, essentially pointed rafts, best suited for use on rivers and calm water, the higher-end inflatables are designed to be hardy, seaworthy vessels. Recently some manufacturers have added an internal frame (folding-style) to a multi-section inflatable [[#Sit-on-top|sit-on-top kayak]] to produce a seaworthy boat. Fully drop-stitch inflatable kayaks are also available, which are inflated to 8–10 PSI. They are much stiffer, which enhances their paddling characteristics to vastly outperform traditional inflatable kayaks.

The appeal of inflatable kayaks is their portability, their durability (they don't dent), ruggedness in white water (they bounce off rocks rather than break) and their easy storage. In addition, inflatable kayaks generally are stable, have a small turning radius and are easy to master, although some models take more effort to paddle and are slower than traditional kayaks.

Because inflatable kayaks aren't as sturdy as traditional, hard-shelled kayaks, a lot of people tend to steer away from them. However, there have been considerable advancements in inflatable kayak technology over recent years.

==== Folding ====
[[File:Taimen3 assembly.jpg|thumb|Assembling an aluminum frame for a folding kayak; the cloth covering (foreground) will later be stretched over it]]
{{Main|Folding kayak}}
Folding kayaks are direct descendants of the skin-on-frame boats used by the Inuit and Greenlandic peoples. Modern folding kayaks are constructed from a wooden or aluminum frame over which is placed a synthetic skin made of polyester, cotton canvas, polyurethane, or Hypalon. They are more expensive than inflatable kayaks, but have the advantage of greater stiffness and consequently better seaworthiness.

Walter Höhn (English Hoehn) had built, developed and then tested his design for a folding kayak in the white-water rivers of Switzerland from 1924 to 1927. In 1928, on emigrating to Australia, he brought 2 of them with him, lodged a patent for the design and proceeded to manufacture them.
In 1942 the Australian Director of Military operations approached him to develop them for Military use. Orders were placed and eventually a total of 1024, notably the MKII & MKIII models, were produced by him and another enterprise, based on his 1942 patent (No. 117779)<ref>Commando Kayak 2011, {{ISBN|978-3-033-01717-7}}</ref>

==== Pedal ====
{{Unreferenced section|date=October 2015}}
Pedal kayaks represent a pioneering type of watercraft engineered for hands-free functionality, utilizing a propulsion system operated by the kayaker's feet. This mechanism usually consists of pedals that are rotated in a circular motion, akin to bicycling, generating forward momentum through a propeller or fins situated beneath the kayak. Steering is managed by a rudder or steering mechanism, typically operated by a hand lever or supplementary foot pedals for directional control.<ref>{{cite web |last=David |first=Graham |title=Pedal Kayaks |url=https://kayaks-hub.com/how-do-pedal-kayaks-work/ |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=Kayaks Hub|date=January 4, 2024 }}</ref>

==== Twin hull and outrigger ====
[[File:Catamaran kayak by SuperKayak.jpg|thumb|upright|Inflatable catamaran kayak by SuperKayak]]
{{Unreferenced section|date=October 2015}}
Traditional [[multihull|multi-hull]] vessels such as catamarans and [[outrigger canoe]]s benefit from increased lateral stability without sacrificing speed, and these advantages have been successfully applied in twin hull kayaks. ''Outrigger kayaks'' attach one or two smaller hulls to the main hull to enhance stability, especially for fishing, touring, kayak sailing and motorized kayaking.
Twin hull kayaks feature two long and narrow hulls, and since all their buoyancy is distributed as far as possible from their center line, they are more stable than mono hull kayaks outfitted with outriggers.

=== Fishing ===
{{Main|Kayak fishing}}
While native people of the [[Arctic]] regions hunted rather than fished from kayaks, in recent years kayak sport fishing has become popular in both fresh and salt water, especially in warmer regions. Traditional fishing kayaks are characterized by wide beams of up to {{cvt|42|in|m|order=flip}} that increase their lateral stability. Some are equipped with [[outrigger]]s that increase their stability, and others feature twin hulls enabling stand up paddling and fishing. Compared with motorboats, fishing kayaks are inexpensive and have few maintenance costs. Many kayak anglers like to customize their kayaks for fishing, a process known as 'rigging'.

=== Military ===
[[File:Klepper vouwkano.jpg|thumb|Klepper Aerius Quattro XT in military colors]]
Kayaks were adapted for military use in the [[World War II|Second World War]]. Used mainly by [[Commandos (United Kingdom)|British Commando]]s and [[Special forces#World War II|special forces]], principally the [[Combined Operations Headquarters|Combined Operations]] Pilotage Parties (COPPs), the [[Special Boat Service]] and the [[Royal Marines]] Boom Patrol Detachment. The latter made perhaps the best known use of them in the [[Operation Frankton]] raid on [[Bordeaux]] harbor.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-two/8090441/Cockleshell-Heroes-the-truth-at-last.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828152351/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-two/8090441/Cockleshell-Heroes-the-truth-at-last.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 28, 2012|title=Cockleshell Heroes: the truth at last|journal=Daily Telegraph|last=Tweedie|first=Neil|date=October 28, 2010|access-date=May 23, 2018|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> Both the [[Special Air Service]] (SAS) and the Special Boat Service (SBS) used kayaks for reconnaissance in the 1982 [[Falklands War]].<ref>James D. Ladd, ''SBS, The Invisible Raiders: the History of the Special Boat Squadron from World War Two to the Present'', Arms & Armour Press 1983, {{ISBN|978-0-85368-593-7}} (p. 231)</ref> [[United States Navy SEALs|US Navy SEALs]] reportedly used them at the start of [[Unified Task Force]] operations in [[Somalia]] in 1992.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2011/05/19/canadas_special_forces_to_get_ancient_warfighting_machines_canoes.html|title=Canada's special forces to get ancient war-fighting machines: canoes – The Star|newspaper=The Toronto Star|date=May 19, 2011}}</ref> The SBS currently use Klepper two-person folding kayaks that can be launched from surfaced submarines or carried to the surface by divers from submerged ones. They can be parachuted from transport aircraft at sea or dropped from the back of [[Boeing Chinook (UK variants)|Chinook helicopter]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.specialboatservice.co.uk/klepper-canoes.php |title=SBS Boats - Klepper Canoes |access-date=September 4, 2012 |archive-date=September 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915160021/http://www.specialboatservice.co.uk/klepper-canoes.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> US Special Forces have used Kleppers but now primarily use Long Haul folding kayaks, which are made in the US.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.americanspecialops.com/boats/kayak/|title=Kayaks {{!}} Canoes {{!}} Special Operations Forces|website=Americanspecialops.com|access-date=May 23, 2018}}</ref>

The Australian Military MKII and MKIII folding kayaks were extensively used during WWII in the Pacific Theater for some 33 raids and missions on and around the South-East Asian islands. Documentation for this will be found in the National Archives of Australia official records, reference No. NAA K1214-123/1/06. They were deployed from disguised watercraft, submarines, [[Consolidated PBY Catalina|Catalina aircraft]], P.T. boats, motor launches and by parachute.<ref>Commando Kayak, Hoehn, 2011.</ref>