Overview
Whitewater kayaking can be challenging depending on the water, the kayaker’s experience and the boat’s characteristics. Knowing how different kayak characteristics affect its turning, speed, buoyancy and maneuverability will help you purchase the right whitewater kayak for your style of boating.
Step 1
Learn, study and understand the different types of whitewater kayaking for which you’ll most likely be using your boat.
River running is closer to touring in that the distances you’ll travel are longer, with calm stretches of water interspersed with rapids. River running includes racing.
Creeking involves navigating technically difficult rapids with many drops, including waterfalls, and narrow, tight turns. Creeking includes extreme racing.
Slalom is a competitive form of kayaking, with boaters racing against time to finish a course while navigating a variety of gates, similar to slalom snow skiing.
Playboating involves tricks and stunts performed within the dynamics of a finite area of river. Playboaters are similar to skateboarders or BMX bike jumpers in that they are more interested in “show” than “go.”
Squirtboating uses a series of quick, rapid moves to achieve tight turns and other tricks, and it is the precursor to playboating. Unlike playboating, squirtboating moves are not confined to a small area of river or dependent on the current or rapids.
Step 2
Match the type of kayaking you’ll do to the boat characteristics that will best allow you perform that kind of boating.
River running boats are stable and have more room than other whitewater kayaks to provide comfort on longer trips. They achieve this stability with longer length, rounded hulls and medium volume, which is the amount of space inside the boat.
Creeking boats are higher in volume to help get the boat back to the surface after a steep drop into the water. They have a more rounded bow and stern, which helps prevent pinning (being stuck or pinned between two rocks or in the river bed). They feature a higher rocker, which keeps the bow higher to help it over obstacles.
Slalom boats have required lengths, widths and weight ranges for competitions, so make sure any boat you buy for official racing is legal. They are lighter to increase speed, and pro models are made of fiberglass, kevlar or carbon fiber composites.
Playboats have less volume front and back to make them more nimble in the water and easier to submerge. They have flat hulls for better surfing and spinning moves.
Squirts are the longest, flattest of the river boats, with low volume bow to stern. They are often custom-built to the user.
Whitewater kayaks also come in a variety of hybrid variations for boaters who plan on using their boats for more than one type of kayaking. These boats might not offer the best specifications for any one type of boating but are made with two specific types of boating in mind.
Step 3
Rent a variety of boats, including hybrids, to determine not only the type of boat that’s best for you, but also one that fits your body size and strength.
Tips and Warnings
- Purchase your kayak based on the features you need, not on the amount of money you have. If you need a more expensive type of boat but are short on cash, don’t purchase a boat to fit your budget. Consider the sense of buying a brand new catcher’s mitt that’s priced in your budget … to play left field. Just because the catcher’s mitt is in your budget doesn’t mean it’s a good purchase. Use your budget to guide your buying decision by looking at used boats, off-brands or boats with less expensive materials and features.
About this Author
Sam Ellyn has been writing, editing, lecturing and producing videos on the sport sciences (exercise physiology, nutrition, biomechanics, physics, motor learning, pedagogy and sports medicine) for more than 20 years. He has written for numerous publications, including “Fit,” “Sports Illustrated for Kids’ Parent’s Playbook,” “Tennis” and “Golf Teaching Pro.”
