Kayak Types

Series Summary

Kayaks have been used for thousands of years, with the oldest kayaks dating back 4,000 years. Inuit Indians, who invented and named the kayak, have always used them as an effective means for hunting sea animals such as sea lions. Today the majority of kayaks are used for recreation. From sea kayaks to white water kayaks, these amazingly versatile boats are employed and enjoyed all around the world. Learning how to use a kayak is not exactly intuitive and finding the right kayak can be difficult for a newcomer to kayaking. In this free kayaking video series, an experienced kayaker demonstrates how to choose a kayak. Get tips on various types of kayaks, including sea kayaks, sit on top kayaks and hybrid kayaks, as well as the features of each boat. Learn about different kayak accessories and how to outfit a kayak for a trip. Kayaking is a great water sport but it does require different types of kayaks for different water conditions, so get the information for a safe and happy kayaking experience from an expert.

Video Transcript

"Hi, I'm Russell Farrow, with Sweetwater Kayaks, in St. Pete, Florida. I wanted to give you guys some tips on how to choose the proper kayak. We've got several different types of craft out here today, and we're going to talk through each one of them, from sit on tops to two person tandems, and full on seagoing boats that you can live out of for a month, so come with me, and we'll check some of them out. So each of the kayaks we have; we have a sit on top, which is very popular with the fishing crowd, we have recreational boats that are extremely stable, and easy to get in and out of, with large cockpits, we have hybrid craft that are kind of a cross between a recreational boat and a sea kayak, and more on that in a minute. We have tandem kayaks, built for two people, and then, of course we have the the one that started it all, the full on sea kayak that you can live out of for days, if you so choose. I think that if you compare all of these boats, you'll find one that's perfect for you and your application and your venue, whether it's a long, sleek, fast any weather, go anywhere boat, whether it's a boat that's built really for fishing and just general mayhem on the water; just a fun boat, a recreational boat, super stable, going to be a much drier ride than a sit on top, fits a lot of different type bodies, something a little more spirited; that you can get out and go further; you can camp off of, or a boat to share with friends and family as a tandem, there's something in the line-up that would work for you."