Higher Colleges of TechnologyAbu Dhabi Men’s College

Sport, Leisure and Society CIK

Kayak Sport

Submitted to:Mr. Hedley

Date11 Dec 2014

N Student Name ID Number1 Ayoob Mohamed ALHammadi H00216604

Table of ContentsIntroduction......................................................................................................................................2History.............................................................................................................................................3Rules and safety of the sport............................................................................................................4Competitions....................................................................................................................................5Famous players on this sport...........................................................................................................6Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................8References........................................................................................................................................9

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IntroductionKayaking refers to outdoor activity which assumes the use of a kayak to move across

water. The International Canoe Federation defined kayak as ‘a boat where the paddler faces

forward, legs in front, using a double-bladed paddle’ (Bruyant,

2014). There are various type of kayaks, such as closed deck

kayak, sit-on-top and inflatable kayak. There are kayaks which

can be used by two or even three paddlers. Different equipment

is required for kayaking. Without some of them it is not possible

to do, such as paddle and PFD (personal flotation device). Others are necessary for a trip, but are

largely used for safety reasons. For example, a backrest to help make paddling more

comfortable, scupper stoppers to keep the self-bailing cockpit drier and others.

The earliest evidence of a kayak dates back 2,000 years B.P. Arctic people used kayaks

mostly to hunt. It is considered that Siberians first used on water the wood framed and skin-

covered boats. They were usually open boats. Covered decks

emerged when hunters had to go onto the sea. The covered

deck was required at the time to shed waves and survive.

Although the Siberian Coast is the birth place of the kayak,

there is little archaeological evidence in the area.

Currently kayaking became a very popular sport. It features many championships across

the globe with thousands of participants. The purpose of this essay is to discover the sport in

more details. The essay is will include the following. I firstly overview the history of the sport,

rules and safety measures during sport events, some famous competitions and players in the

history of kayaking.

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HistoryFirst people who built and used kayaks were the Inuit and Aleut tribes of Arctic North

America. At that time, two basic types of kayaks existed. They

included kayaks built with light driftwood and those made by

stretching animal skins over frames made of whalebone. In the latter

option, whale fat was used to waterproof the pots. Seal bladders

were filled with air for a purpose to improve buoyancy. At that time large kayaks were also

existent and were even more practical. They were called umiaqs and served the purpose to carry

entire families. Some umiaqs were 60 feet long. Small kayaks were used for hunting. This is also

what the word ‘kayak’ means, hunting boat.

Kayaks were brought to Europe in the early to mid-1800s. The primary countries which

became familiar with kayaks were Germany and France. Men in these countries became

interested in using kayaks for sport. Kayaks were also used by explorers of the North and South

Pole. They took kayaks with them in their expeditions. In 1931 there was a shift in kayak usage.

Adolf Anderle was the first person to kayak down the Salzachofen Gorge. This is considered to

be the birth of white-water kayaking. Shortly after this, the international scale of river difficulty

was introduced. It classified river's rapids by difficulty. Several years later, in 1936, the kayaking

was included in the Berlin Olympics. After two years, the sport became popular in the US. It also

started to spread among women. Thus, two years after the Olympics, Genevieve De Colmont

kayaked the Green and Colorado rivers.

The introduction of the "rigid" kayaks was in the 1950s. The polyethylene plastic options

emerged in the 1980s. Until 1970s kayaking was not a very popular sport in the US. However, it

started to move more to the mainstream afterward. Currently the Olympic Games have about 10

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different white-water kayak events.

Rules and safety of the sportThere are several rules and safety concerns which allow to avoid undesired outcomes. The

Olympic sport features the following rules for kayaking.

1. At the start line, kayaks are stabilized by personnel. Kayak should remain stationary until

the start of the race.

2. The start of the race is announced by a powerful sound. Remaining time to the start is

also notified. When the race starts, the White Flag will be raised. In case if competitor

starts to paddle away prior to the start, he is charged with a false start.

3. Athletes are required to stay inside their assigned lane.

4. If the competitor crosses the lane barrier, he can be disqualified.

5. Coaches can assist athletes in/out of the kayak. However, when the kayak is called to the

start, the coach must return to the shoreline. Coaching is not allowed from the shoreline.

6. Coaches cannot have a kayak in the water during the competition.

Regarding safety concern, during the competition there are always safety boats on the water.

Their number depends on the weather. Athletes are required to stay in the kayak when on the

water. Legs should also remain in the kayak. It is important to carry enough water in heat

conditions. In addition, there should be a small air-tight container for a first aid kit. It is

recommended to purchase bright-color kayaks. These kayaks are more visible.

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CompetitionsThere are different competitions in kayking organized. For example, there is a famous

International Canoe Federation's World Freestyle Kayaking Championships. It captures about

500 world-class kayakers from over 40 countries. They kayak on the Nantahala River. This

completion was firstly held in 2013. The next one is planned for September 2015. In addition to

the above-mentioned competition, there various others events. For example, kayaking at the

Summer Olympics, Dusi Canoe Marathon which is a kayak race in South Africa along the

Msunduzi River. There are many freestyle competitions in kayaking across the world. For

example, the Nile River festival holds place in Uganda, The WhiteWater Grand Prix takes place

in Canada, the Outdoor Mix Festival is located in France, the Open Polish Championships is in

Poland, ICF Freestyle World Cup is in Spain, European Championships is in Slovakia and many

others (Sportscene, 2014). In addition, there are different long-term kayak championships. For

example, the six-day national kayak championship, which holds in early-to-mid August in the

US. The championship is suitable for people aged between from 5 to 90 (United States Canoe

Association, 2014). The paddlers’ experience can vary from intermediate to elite, whereas

training can be ranged from casual to intense.

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Famous players on this sportThere are five kayakers who are famous in the world. Tao Berman is one of the most

famous kayakers. Berman is a three-time world record holder and has kayaked 50 descents

across the globe. He is also famous for kayaking promotion and fund raising for competitions.

Franz Roomer is also famous in the kayaking world. He is among the sport pioneers. Romer is

recognized because he was the first who crossed the Atlantic in a sea kayak. He died in hurricane

when he was trying to reach New York, paddling the American coastline. Derek Hutchinson is

currently a coach and instructor. He gained many competitions. However, he is mostly famous

for his success in crossing the harshest of waters—the North Sea between England and Belgium.

Paul Caffyn is an important figure in kayaking world. He is famous for paddling around

mainland Australia, Iceland, Japan and New Zealand. Ed Gillet is a famous kayaker who paddled

from California to Hawaii alone. He made the longest journey alone across open waters.

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Tao Berman Derek Hutchinson

Paul Caffyn Ed Gillet

ConclusionThe purpose of this essay is to overview kayaking history and sport features. I conclude

that the sport is rather young. First kayaks appeared 2,000 years ago in the Siberian Coast. They

served as a mean for Arctic people to hunt and remain safe and unnoticed. The first kayaks were

made by stretching animal skins over frames made of whalebone. In early years kayaks were also

used to transport people. Only the early to mid-1800s kayaks were brought to Europe. In 1936

kayaking was included in the Berlin Olympics. There are various safety measures which should

be followed by competitors during sport events. The most famous championships are Olympics,

World Freestyle Kayaking Championships, national kayak championships and others. There are

many champions in kayak sport. The most famous people which are associated with sport

development are Tao Berman, Franz Roomer, Derek Hutchinson, Paul Caffyn and Ed Gillet.

This people have changed the perception of kayaking. Some of them participated in different

competitions, became coaches and train people. All of them have achieved the greatest result in

kayaking and made their names famous worldwide.

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ReferencesBruyant, C. (2014). How kayaking works? Howstuffworks. [Online] Available at:

http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/water-sports/

kayaking4.htm. Accessed on 6 December 2014.

Coleman, B. (2010). 5 famous kayakers. Made Man. [Online] Available at:

http://www.mademan.com/mm/5-famous-kayakers.html. Accessed on 6 December 2014.

Maritime New Zealand. (2014). Kayak safety. [Online] Available at:

http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/Recreational-Boating/Skipper-responsibilities/Boat-

types-and-water-activities/Kayak-safety-and-staying-bright-on-top.asp. Accessed on 6

December 2014.

Newsweek. (2003). Water sports, 142 (14).

Sierra. (2008). Canoe and kayak, 93 (1).

Sportscene. 2014. Calendar 2015. [Online] Available at:

http://www.sportscene.tv/whitewater/freestyle/calendar/. Accessed on 6 December 2014.

Sports Illustrated. Whatever floats your boat, 115 (13).

United States Canoe Association. 2014. National Canoe & Kayak Championships – Overview.

[Online] Available at:

http://www.uscanoe.com/USCA_Canoe_Kayak_National_Ch_W54.cfm. Accessed on 6

December 2014.

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