Sporting across water has been a popular activity for a long time and one that has grown quickly in popularity has been kayaking. This is the sport or activity where people use kayaks to paddle across the water. There are many different types of kayaks and are defined by the type of waterway that is maneuvered across. There is typical kayaking that is done on canals, rivers, streams, and other mainly stagnant waterways. Whitewater kayaking involves taking a kayak down rapids. These rapids vary in intensity and often have a difficulty attached to them so kayakers know how rough the waters are. Ocean kayaking is getting to be more popular, which involves paddling in ocean waters and can include trips that last for days at a time.

Kayaking is a fairly easy activity. It involves settling yourself into a kayak and onto a water way. The paddle is used to maneuver the kayak and push it forward. A kayak can be manned by one or two people, depending on the design, and allows the operator to sit with their legs stretched out in front of them. The paddle used when kayaking has two blades, one on either end of the pole. Most kayaks are closed, which means the kayaker's lower body is surrounded. However, newer kayaks are sit-on types that are growing more popular every year.