What are some kayaking terms?

What are some kayaking terms?

Kayaking Terminology

• Blade. The Broad Part at the end of a paddle.
• Bow. The forward end of a canoe or kayak.
• Hull. The bottom shape of a boat, which determines how it will perform in various conditions.
• Portage.
• PFD.
• Shaft.
• Stern.
• Swamp.

Is kayak an Indian word?

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, and other etymology sources, “kayak” derives from the Inuit Eskimo word “qayaq” – spelled just like “kayak”, except that it has q’s instead of k’s.

What is the meaning of the word kayak?

A kayak is a narrow one- or two-person boat that is propelled with a double-ended paddle. You can use a kayak in the ocean, on a pond or lake, or in a river. Kayaks were first built and used by Inuits, Aleuts, and Yup’iks, and the word comes from the Inuit qayaq, “small boat of skins.”

What is the origin of the word kayak?

The Kayak probably originates from Greenland, where it was used by the Eskimos while the Canoe was used all over the world. The word Kayak (ki ak), meaning “man-boat” in Eskimo, was found predominately in the northern parts of the world, North America, Siberia and Greenland.

What is kayak Chine?

Chine. Chine is best defined as the way the bottom of the kayak meets the sides, determining whether or not the kayak looks rounded or boxy. A hard chine means a more angular meeting while a soft chine refers to a more rounded one.

What do you call a group of kayakers?

I think it depends on the level of the group. A group of beginners should be known as a \’Wobble\’ of kayakers. Intermediates… A \’Brace\’ of kayakers. And the advanced group as a \’Swell\’.

Do kayaks have flat bottoms?

The bottom of a kayak, or any boat, is one of the biggest determining factors in how the boat can be used. While a flat-bottomed-hulled kayak offers superior stability and very easy handling in calm waters the same design can be downright treacherous in very choppy waters.

Where is Kayaking most popular?

15 Best Kayaking Destinations

1. Alaska. Alaska is a paradise for nature lovers and adventurous spirits.
2. Costa Rica. Costa Rica is known for its wildlife biodiversity, national parks and unspoiled beaches.
3. Canada. For some travelers, paddling alongside killer whales is a dream come true.
4. Croatia.
5. Greenland.
6. France.
7. Italy.
8. Fiji.

What does it mean when kayak is turned on its side?

Secondary stability comes into play when the boat is turned on its side. The more surface area touching the water equals better stability. Good secondary stability helps keep the kayak upright when the paddler’s balance goes beyond the primary stability. Generally, no one boat is harder to roll than another.

How does the upper body control a kayak?

With the legs inside the boat, a kayaker moves his or her upper body independent from their lower body. The upper body controls the paddle and the boat’s rotation or spin, while the lower body controls the boat’s tilt. The key to boat control is the ability to lift or dip the boat’s edges using hula-dancer-like movements.

What does secondary stability mean on a kayak?

Good secondary stability helps keep the kayak upright when the paddler’s balance goes beyond the primary stability. Generally, no one boat is harder to roll than another. Some boats (like those with good secondary stability) are just easier to roll with bad technique.

How do you control the edges of a kayak?

The key to boat control is the ability to lift or dip the boat’s edges using hula-dancer-like movements. The knees and lower thighs transmit their movements to the boat via the thigh hooks; the boat then becomes an extension of the lower body.