History of Kayaking

Overview of Kayaking

• Kayaks originated as a means of transportation for native hunters, travelers, warriors, and traders.
• The first kayaks were created in the Arctic region by the Inuit people, primarily for hunting and fishing.
• They were made with wooden frames and covered with sealskin.

The Father of Modern Kayak

• John Mac Gregor is known as the father of modern kayak.
• He was a British seaman of Scottish Nation.
• He built a modern kayak in 1865, based on the kayak he saw in the Arctic, called the Rob Roy.
• He explored European rivers using this kayak from 1865 to 1867.

The History of Kayak in Malaysia

• In Malaysia, the history of kayak activities began earlier as a main transport.
• Early inhabitants used logs as a mode of transport, known as kolek, perahu, and sampan.
• Kayaking was introduced by the British navy in the 1960s.
• The development of kayaking includes kayaking around Peninsular Malaysia and beyond.

The Canoe and The Kayak

• The canoe originated from the Indians of North America.
• Made with a bone or wooden frame, covered in a variety of barks.
• Paddlers either kneel or half-kneel and half-sit on a supporting seat.
• Handled via a single-blade paddle.
• Known as Canadian canoes.

International Canoe Federation (ICF)

• The ICF was formed on 19 January 1924 as the Internationale Repräsentantenschaft Kanusport (IRK) in Copenhagen, Denmark.
• It became the ICF in 1946.
• The purpose of the ICF is to:
  • Form a link between the Canoeing Associations of various countries.
  • Organize international competitions in paddling and sailing.
  • Promote and foster foreign touring through production of appropriate river guides.
  • Introduce internationally recognized symbols for rivers on maps.

Where to Kayak

• Lake inlets and quiet water: novice, safest route along the shoreline, protected from wind and motorboat traffic.
• Gently moving water: novice, slow-moving rivers, canals, and large streams.
• Open lakes and seas: advanced, large and open stretches of water, exposed to wind and waves.
• Whitewater: advanced, rivers, creeks, and canals subject to change as water levels rise and fall.

Paddling Venue Resources

• Be smart and check with local guides and experts.
• Retailers, clubs, and expert paddlers can offer tips, recommendations, and guide services.
• Not all water is paddle-friendly, and hazards can be unseen on a map and deadly.

Learn about the origins of kayaks, from their creation by the Inuit people to the father of modern kayak, John Mac Gregor.