Kayaking
Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking is usually differentiated from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle.
A kayak is defined by the International Canoe Federation as a boat where the paddler faces forward, legs in front, using a double bladed paddle. Almost all kayaks have big decks although there are more and more sit-on-top kayaks.
There are now several types of kayaks throughout the world. Here is a short sum up of the main types of existing kayaks.
Sea Kayaks
Sea kayaks are typically designed for travel by one or two paddlers on open water and in many cases trade maneuverability for seaworthiness, stability, and cargo capacity.
Whitewater
Whitewater kayaks are in some cases highly maneuverable boats, usually for a single paddler, and include such specialized boats as playboats and slalom kayaks. White water racers combine a fast, unstable lower hull portion with a flared upper hull portion to combine flat water racing speed with extra stability in open water.
Surf Skis
Surf skis, are specialized narrow and long boats for racing, surfing breaking waves and surf-zone rescues. Racing kayaks are designed for speed, and usually require substantial skill to achieve stability, due to extremely narrow hulls, though downriver racing kayaks are a hybrid style with whitewater boats.
Canoeing
Canoeing is the activity of paddling a canoe for the purpose of recreation (also called a float trip), sport, or transportation. It usually refers exclusively to using a paddle to propel a canoe with only human muscle power.
When exactly a canoe can be called a kayak is difficult to determine, and often arbitrary. Internationally, the term canoeing is used as a generic term for both forms though the terms "paddle sports" or "canoe/kayak" are also used. In North America, however, 'canoeing' usually refers only to canoes, as opposed to both canoes and kayaks. Paddling a kayak is also referred to as kayaking.
Small-craft Sailing
Small-craft sails such as the WindPaddle either augment the effort of paddling or effectively eliminate the need for paddling. They are great for touring, and have established a strong following with recreational canoeists, sea kayakers, expedition paddlers and adventure racers.
Rafting
One or a group of people paddle a small or large inflatable raft down a wild water river. Rafting has much in common with White Water Touring.
Canoe camping
Mixing together the enjoyable moments of touring or cruising, combining canoeing with camping.