| Most people who go kayaking use a sport canoes | | | | If you're a beginner, you should consider wearing |
| which is a lightweight kayak made of fiberglass. | | | | snorkels, which will help you see while under water if |
| However, other types of kayaks are available for | | | | this situation should arise. |
| whitewater sports. Kayaks are used for leisure | | | | If you're in a canoe, you'll have an easier time since |
| activities or competitive sports. The original kayaks | | | | you can roll the canoe and attempt to re-board it. |
| were made of animal skins by the Inuit and these | | | | When kayaking, it's important to learn how to use a |
| boats held one or two people. | | | | "quick release" tool which should be built into the thigh |
| Kayaks often have double-bladed paddles, whereas | | | | straps. Use the quick release along with your spray |
| canoes come with a variety of paddles. Kayaks can | | | | skirts, as well as your thigh straps. Experts can usually |
| also be used for traveling and racing. In general, | | | | release their body from a kayak in about four |
| canoes are used when travelling on rivers, or open | | | | seconds. It could take you ten seconds or longer |
| waters where there is no apparent danger. | | | | depending on how much practice you've had ahead of |
| Canoes are lightweight boats, both narrow and pointed | | | | time. |
| with the points identical at each end. Canoes can be | | | | In a kayak, once you've released the straps and spray, |
| paddled by one or more passengers and can be used | | | | hold both sides of kayak and lightly pry your body out. |
| for travelling and fishing, as well as other sporting | | | | Next, clear your feet, moving them out of the kayak |
| hobbies. Whether you're kayaking or canoeing, you're | | | | carefully. Once this is accomplished, you're free to |
| responsible for your own affairs and life, since there | | | | swim away. |
| are times when adventuring out in the wilderness can | | | | The most critical point to remember if your kayak |
| be dangerous. | | | | should capsize is to stay calm. Never try to rush, just |
| Whitewater kayaking is a popular sporting event, and | | | | relax and stay calm and carry on with the procedures |
| like all sports, it's important to know and practise all | | | | you've practiced. |
| safety rules. | | | | Estimate Weight Distribution and Stability |
| Getting Out of a Capsized Kayak | | | | It's important to understand that shallow sketched |
| In this situation, you should understand the difference | | | | boats, such as canoes (especially lightweight canoes) |
| between kayaking and canoeing. If you flip or capsize | | | | are sensitive to the distribution of weight whether |
| a canoe, you'll dump into the water and you can swim | | | | you're floating on the water or boarding the boat. Just |
| back to shores. If the canoe is in violent waters, you | | | | keep in mind when kayaking to board slowly, and take |
| must avoid grabbing hold of the canoe and trying to | | | | your time when floating in whitewaters. |
| control the boat, but rather, you want it to guide its | | | | All boats, including kayaks, base the gravity of its |
| own way. | | | | center weight on the total weight of both passengers |
| However, when kayaking in whitewaters, you must | | | | and the boat. In other words, the term used in kayaking |
| remember that a kayak is closed around you. If a | | | | "Center of Gravity" is "the spot" where the total weight |
| kayak capsizes, you'll hang upside down under water. | | | | of the kayak, plus all its passengers and gear, can be |
| Therefore, you should practice holding your breathe for | | | | produced and/or placed on the boats hull. |
| 30 seconds or longer before venturing out in a kayak. | | | | |