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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
Page 1 of 10
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.
Page 2 of 10
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
Page 3 of 10
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.
Page 4 of 10
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.
Page 5 of 10
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.
Page 6 of 10
Page 7 of 10
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.
Page 8 of 10
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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