A kayak is a small, narrow boat designed to be paddled by one or two people sitting inside, using a double-bladed paddle. Unlike a canoe, where you kneel and use a single-bladed paddle, in a kayak you sit low with your legs stretched forward, using both ends of your paddle by dipping first one side into the water, then the other.

The word comes from the Inuit people of the Arctic, who invented kayaks thousands of years ago for hunting and fishing in icy waters. Traditional kayaks were made from animal skins stretched over wooden or bone frames, designed to be lightweight, fast, and stable even in rough seas. The enclosed design, where the paddler sat inside with a waterproof skirt sealing the opening, helped keep hunters dry and safer in freezing water.

Today people kayak for recreation, exploring rivers, lakes, and oceans. Some kayaks are built for speed and racing, while others are wide and stable for beginners. Whitewater kayaking means navigating through rapids and rough water. You might go kayaking on a calm lake at summer camp, or watch Olympic athletes compete in sprint kayaking races.