White Water Kayaking
White Water Kayaking
As the name implies, this type of kayaking is done on white water or on the rapids as they are referred to. Originally the kayaks that are used in this type of kayaking consist of a frame that is then covered with stretched skins. It then progressed to fiberglass and Kevlar as the shell of the craft. It is now primarily a craft that is made up of a tough plastic that is slightly flexible and extremely durable. Depending on what it is that you are looking to accomplish and the thrill that you are seeking will depend on the type of whitewater kayaking that you want to partake in. There are the different levels of rapids that you will be facing as you whitewater kayak depending on the river that you choose to challenge as well as the season as the rapids will change with the water levels of the river.
There are also different types of activities or games that you can partake in while you are kayaking.
• River running: This could be either a short day trip or an extended stay on the water challenging the rapids in yore kayak.
• Creeking: This is the higher level of river running usually involving a higher class of rapids as well as more risky and quicker rivers.
• Slalom: This is a more competitive and technical form of kayaking involving getting from one point to another in a set amount of time as well as trying to shoot gates.
• Playboating: This is more a type of showmanship than competitive whitewater kayaking. It usually takes place in one spot with the kayaker performing tricks and putting on a show as opposed to trying to go a distance.
This type of kayaking has different levels of difficulty based on the levels of the rapids that you will be facing. The rapid levels range from class I to class VI. As the class goes up so does the difficulty of the rapid. A I would be essentially calm water where a VI would be the limit that one would be able to challenge.
Each kayaker will have their own limits and choices to make as far as what they want to do in the realm of whitewater as well as what type of challenge that they will be facing.