Kayaking: Playboating In Your Kayak

Kayaking: Playboating In Your Kayak
Playboating is the art of doing stunts and tricks in a single person manpowered boat.  It is usually done in a kayak r a canoe while staying in one spot or area.  Essentially it is a way to show off and demonstrate some of the tricks and skills that you have mastered on the water.  In this type of kayaking it is sometimes referred to as rodeo or free styling since it usually made up as you go and in many cases you need to hang on to stay afloat.

Types Of Playboating

There are various types of playboating that are out there depending on where you are located as well as the type of water that you will be working in.  There are more tricks and things that can be done in whitewater as opposed to performing on flat water.  However tricks can be done at both sites.  This is the equivalent of performing bike or skateboard tricks in the water.  So depending on the terrain or water that you are working with will give you the type of tricks that you will be able to perform.  They can be just as exciting as you do rolls and flips in your boat to excite the spectators.  Essentially this can almost become a rodeo style competition. 

There are specific areas in which you want to perform these tricks.  These are referred to as playspots.  These are typically in areas where the water does the same thing so everyone will have the same challenge.  You can find or discover your own playspot anywhere, but among kayaking enthusiasts there are some that are very well known throughout the world.  These palyspots can be manmade or natural depending on where you go, but no matter what they can be just as exciting. 

The Kayak

When playboating it is recommended that you get a kayak that is designed to do just that.  You will not be able to perform the tricks that you want to in an ocean kayak to the level that you want.  These playboats are cut and shaped differently to allow for the ability to more easily dip one end into the water as well as usually being lighter so as to allow for easier maneuverability and manipulation of the craft while performing.