I am lucky enough to live in Seattle, Washington, a place that worships the outdoors. People hike, ski, rock climb, and do just about any other outdoor activity you can think of. One of the advantages to this area of the world is that we have both mountains and water. If you look out over Lake Washington on a sunny summer day, you will see dozens of people paddling small, colorful boats. When the weather is warm, the kayak rental businesses on the shores of the lake do a booming business. Kayaking is a great pastime because it can be enjoyed by everyone from novice to expert.



Kayaks have been around for a quite a while, at least 4000 years. The boats were invented by the native peoples of the Arctic region. The original kayaks were made from animal skins, such as those from seals, stretched over a wooden frame. The native people used these boats to hunt marine animals in inland lakes, rivers and coastal waters, although the boats were too small to risk venturing into the ocean. Each traditional kayak was made specifically to the measurements of an individual, ensuring that the boat conformed closely to the user's body, allowing for maximum maneuverability.

Kayaks were (and still are) propelled by means of a double-bladed paddle. The boater, or boaters, sits in the cockpit or cockpits below the boat's deck. A spraydeck is a flexible cover for the cockpit that is often attached to the kayak. This waterproof cloth fits over the cockpit and around the kayaker, effectively sealing the kayaker's lower body into the dry interior of the boat. The use of a spraydeck enables the boater to execute an "Eskimo roll," which is the act of righting a capsized kayak while still inside by means of body and paddle movement. Spraydecks are commonly used in the more demanding forms of kayaking or during inclement weather.

Today, the kayak has evolved into a number of specific types, each of which can be categorized according to its use. Recreational kayaks, for example, are what the people on Lake Washington mostly use. These boats are designed for the casual kayaker and do not involve a great deal of skill or experience. They have large cockpits and are usually comparatively wide, making them more stable but less swift. Recreational kayaks cannot usually incorporate a spraydeck.

Sea kayaks are designed for paddling on in lakes, bays and oceans. Spraydecks can be used with these boats, as added water protection is often necessary on open waters. These boats are often used for recreational marine journeys. As a result, they have comparatively large cargo capacities, the better to transport camping gear, food and other supplies. This increased hauling ability means that sea kayaks are less maneuverable than some other versions of the boat.

Whitewater kayaks are probably the most well-known type of kayak. These boats are designed to contend with the waters of rivers, which can often include dangerous whitewater rapids. Spraydecks will always be used in whitewater situations, as Eskimo rolls are often necessary. These kayaks are extremely maneuverable and require a fair deal of skill to paddle successfully, especially in more demanding water conditions.