Types of Whitewater Kayaking
When it comes to whitewater kayaking, there are five main categories.
Creeking is a form of whitewater kayaking that involves difficult rapids. This course generally includes slides, waterfalls, and other obstacles in small or narrow rivers. The kayaks used to creeking are made to reduce risk: they have more volume and a bow and stern that are rounded to protect against pinning and ensure the kayak will resurface as soon as possible.
River running is another major type of whitewater kayaking. This is sort of like a tour guide down a river and is meant to give people the chance to take in their surroundings as well as experience what whitewater kayaking is all about. River running can be a short day trip or it can be a multi-day experience.
Slalom is another form of whitewater kayaking and is best known for being a technical and competitive form of kayaking. In fact, it is the only whitewater-based event that is included in the Olympic Games. Slalom involves racers trying to make their way from the start of the river to the end while weaving in and around or gates suspended over the river.
Playboating is a form of kayaking that involves gymnastics. Playboating has a person working against the force of the water to perform moves like loops, donkey flips, and cartwheels, among others, and to spin the boat. Aerial moves have recently become a piece of playboating.
Squirt boating is when low-volume boats are used to perform special moves. Many of the moves included in squirt boating involve the submerging of the boat and paddler.
