Kayaks
Not to be confused with a canoe (though in some parts of the world they are known as such), a kayak is a similar but different small human powered boat. They are most similar to sports canoes as both have a covered deck and are of similar size. Kayaks will be able to contain one person but sometimes they can also include two or three who sit in the cockpit with the legs outstretched in front of them but covered by the deck of the boat. In some kayaks it is possible to roll the boat not just upside down but the right way up again without water entering the boat or the person in the boat exiting. People using kayaks are usually required to wear waterproof clothing and head protection.
They are some other differences between competition kayaks and canoes. Kayak paddles tend to have a double bladed paddle whilst canoes have a single bladed paddle. Canoes tend to be designed so that paddlers kneel within the boat instead of sit with their legs outstretched as with a kayak.
© 2009 Kayaks