Whitewater Kayaking
More to Kayaking than River Running
Congratulations, you have decided that you are going to pursue whitewater paddling as your new hobby, and the kayak is the vessel for you! Now all that you have to do is run out to your local sporting goods store, buy a kayak, and hit the river.
Not so fast! It may interest you to know that there is not, in fact, just one type of whitewater kayaking. Instead, whitewater kayaking involves four different subcategories. Each type of run will entail using a specifically designed boat. The following is a list and brief description of the subcategories, as well as the type of boat to look for if you’re planning on engaging in that particular activity.
River Running:
This is the traditional trip down a river. River running is usually done by those who want to enjoy the scenery as well as experience the challenge of some whitewater rapids. Depending on the physical capabilities of the participant, river running can entail short day trips or longer expeditions. Because river running often includes a greater need for maneuverability, the crafts have to be shorter and therefore do not have a lot of capacity for carrying. In such cases, separate rafts are often tied to the vessels for carrying baggage in waterproof containers. These rafts are often tied to the vessels.
Creeking, Slaloming and Playboating
Creeking:
Creeking has gained international visibility by becoming a medaled event in the summer Olympic Games. Creeking involves very difficult and technical rapids, often falling in the class IV to VI categories. Creeking involves a high gradient, as well as waterfalls, ledges, and slides. Creeking kayaks usually have more gallons of displacement than traditional kayaks, and will be more rounded around bow and stern.
Slaloming:
Kayak slaloming is technically much the same as any other slalom sport. The objective is for the racer to get through the course as quickly as possible without missing (or touching) any of the gates. The direction the gates must be negotiated from is indicated by color: green gates must be negotiated from downstream, and red gates from upstream. Because kayak slaloming is a technically precise race activity, there are rules as to the measurements in length and width of the vessel. Slaloming can also be found in the summer Olympic Games.
Playboating:
Playboating is the freestyle event of whitewater kayaking. Playboating involves staying stationary on the water in the vessel while performing a series of gymnastic style maneuvers. Kayaks used in this sport generally have lower volume in both the bow and stern.
