Kayak

The word comes from the Greenland kayak Qajaq (singular: Qajaup, Dual: Qajaak, plural: Qajait ), a paddle boat, originating in the Arctic, and refers to a type of boat is driven by a double paddle and its occupants sit in the direction. Kayaks and Canadian form the two major subgroups of canoes.

Origin

The kayak was developed by the Inuit ( Eskimos ) as a fast, maneuverable boat for hunting. The Inuit built a frame of wood and bone, which was covered with animal skins. Especially in the traditional Greenland kayak construction is still in use, the skin now mostly consists of impregnated canvas. For kayaking wore the Inuit during the cold season special kayaking gloves with two thumbs.

The construction of the kayaks is subject to regional differences; in Alaska rather short and wide, in Greenland rather long and narrow. The Ka -i -ak is traditionally a closed men's boat, the open top woman boot is the Umiak. Similar boats, namely the Baidarkas, were used in the Aleutians. An invention of the Inuit is also as Eskimo roll (also: Kenter role ) known technique quickly and without alighting up again capsize.

One of the oldest completely preserved Kayaks located in the Schiffergesellschaft in Lübeck. It was recovered in the North Atlantic in the early 17th century.

Modern kayaks

Development and dissemination in Europe

Beginning of the 19th century have appeared sporadic " Greenlanders " in Germany. 1860, the first Greenlanders club was founded in Breslau. Published in 1866, the Scotsman John MacGregor A Thousand Miles in the Rob Roy Canoe on Rivers and Lakes of Europe. Before the invention of the folding kayak, the kayak spread mainly in northern and central Germany. The return was difficult against the strong current of the rivers in southern Germany. In the first half of the 20th century was the heyday of the collapsible boats ( foldable kayaks made ​​of wood or metal frame, covered with impregnated fabric ). With the increasing motorization took off her need, although the folding kayak still has advantages especially in rail and long-distance travel.

Design

Modern kayaks are usually made ​​of polyethylene, ABS, GRP, CFRP, aramid fiber reinforced plastic or wood. When rubber or PVC inflatable kayaks are the most common materials. There are different types for different applications and canoeing sports, which may differ greatly in their structure (closed, open, or sit-on -top, ratio of length and width, shape of the hull ). They are usually for one or two people, designed in racing for up to four people.

Types (selection )

Touring kayak

Walking or touring kayaks are usually 3.50 to 5 meters long and vary in width from 50 to 70 centimeters. Touring kayaks are as one, and very popular to find than two in standard offer of the manufacturer; a child is still in many K2 kayaks square, some kayaks are specially equipped with 2 1 seating. Touring kayaks usually offer plenty of storage space in front of and behind the paddler. Paddled is on rivers (eg Lahn ) or lakes (eg Mecklenburg).

Game boats ( boats Rodeo )

Game or rodeo boats called kayaks are boats to "play ", which are used in playboating. They are particularly short (within 2.00 meters ) and agile, usually have in the room of the cockpit the largest volume so that the candles and related characters are facilitated. Usually played on a shaft or a roller. Play boating in the competition is called Canoe Freestyle, is also World and European Championships, and World Cups are held.

Major equipment

The most important items of equipment are double paddle, life jacket and matching footwear that does not interfere with swimming and adequate protection against injury when exiting features (eg water sports shoes or booties ). Paddlers wear special clothing, which are likely to be more comfortable moving with special functional underwear and paddle jackets and pants. To make the kayak unsinkable, part of the equipment floats, if the boat is not subdivided by bulkheads. The penetration of water into the hull can be reduced by a spray skirt of nylon or neoprene, when the driver is sufficiently familiar with the operation, in order to get off the capsizing can. Many sea and touring kayaks and all racing kayaks are provided with a control to keep the boat on course. The equipment may include a means for controlling. This consists of a control fin in the rear (either under the stern or rear of the tail ) and is operated by a cable with the feet. The control fin can be retractable so they will not be damaged at low water. Especially in touring kayaks that offer plenty of storage space, even camping supplies is taken straight on longer tours change of clothes and some cases. It is possible all packed waterproof.

Special linguistic features

In German kayaks are counted among the canoes, and there is in contrast to languages ​​other than the compound kayakers no special term for the athlete in a kayak. ( In English-speaking drivers hot kayaker, in French kayakistes. ) In addition, no separate verb to " kayak " exists, which is why the activity is referred to as the " kayaking " or " paddles " (not in English: "to kayak ").

The word kayak is a palindrome.