The History of the Kayak
The history of kayaks spans thousands of years. What started as a means of survival and a way of life for civilizations has been transformed into the thrill-seeking recreational sport we know today.
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Origins
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Kayaks were first created by the Arctic tribes of North America, Asia and Greenland. These tribes used the flat boats to hunt, mainly seals and walruses. The meaning of the word kayak means "hunters boat" in original Eskimo language. Other Arctic tribes, such as the Inuits and Aleuts, adopted and modified this concept. Among their modifications were using different kinds of wood and the use of animal skins covered with oil to act as a waterproof agent.
Materials
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The earliest designs of kayaks were made of driftwood due to the scarcity of trees in the Arctic region. The driftwood logs were hollowed out to form a space where the rider was able to sit. Some tribes would use seal bladders filled with air attached to the sides of the wood to act as buoys, making the boat almost unsinkable.
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The collapsible kayak
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It wasn't until the early 1900's that any significant advancements were made to the early designs used by the Inuits and Aleuts. However, as the concept of the kayak spread to European countries, such as Germany and France, newer designs began to surface. In 1905, a German student named Alfred Heurich, developed the collapsible kayak off of a design by the Inuit tribe. Another German, Hans Klepper, bought the concept from Heurich, patented it and started a business selling "foldboats."
Kayak competition
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In 1936, the first kayak competitions were held in Germany and France, which had taken great interest in these boats. Kayaking clubs began to surface, followed by whitewater competitions in the mountains of Europe. Flatwater kayak racing was introduced as an Olympic sport in the 1936 Berlin Games.
Modern kayaks
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With the introduction of fiberglass in the 1950's, the design, shape and functions of kayaks underwent drastic changes. This was followed by the introduction of rotomolded plastic, the final stepping stone to the kayaks of today, which are made from materials including fiberglass, Kevlar, carbon fiber and polyethylene. These materials have allowed for a sleeker design to improve the fluidity of motion for kayaks as they travel through the water.
Increasing versatility
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With the introduction of these new materials, the functionality and versatility of kayaks expanded, enabling features such as an attachable seat for a rider to be able to sit on top for kayak fishing. Today there are inflatable kayaks as well as kayaks suitable for military operations.
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