History of Kayaking

 

     The root of kayaking can be traced back to the Inuits/Eskimos as a form of hunting.  "The word 'kayak' literally means 'hunter's boat'" (https://www.surftosummit.com/the-interesting-history-kayaks-and-the-sport-kayaking-a-32.html).  The Eskimo roll, which receives it's name from it's founders, was used when the kayaks capsized, and a quick rescue was needed to escape the frigid waters.  Kayaks were made out of either driftwood or animal skin (usually seals, which were waterproof).  Even though kayaking has been around for thousands of years, it was not used as sport or recreation until the early 1900's.

 

     Hans Klepper is credited with the revival of the modern day kayak.  He creating several updated designs of the kayak, especially the folding canvas kayak (https://www.surftosummit.com/the-interesting-history-kayaks-and-the-sport-kayaking-a-32.html).  Due to the easy transportation of the folding kayak, within a few years, a craze swept across Europe, and it wasn't long before kayaking made it to the big time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Flatwater kayaking was first introduced to the 1936 Berlin Olympics.  Over time, slalom and whitewater kayaking has been added to the competition for both singles and partners.  However, there has been a reduction of distance for the kayakers to compete.  According to the Olympic Kayaking page, when the sport first started, it featured a 1,000 and 10,000 meter race for men, and 5,000 meter race for women (women started kayaking/canoeing in 1948 ).  Nowadays, the competition is 200, 500, and 1,000 meters.  Even though there is a reduction in distance, kayaking has been growing as a recreational sport, and there are improvements being made to the material of the kayaks, such as Fiberglass and carbon fiber.

 

 

 

Useful sources:

 

Kayaking: Whitewater and Touring Basics  by Steven M. Krauzer.

 

http://www.olympic.org/canoe-kayak-sprint-equipment-and-history?tab=history

 

http://kayakin.tripod.com/history.html

 

https://www.surftosummit.com/the-interesting-history-kayaks-and-the-sport-kayaking-a-32.html