Whitewater kayaks are intended for use in white-capped rapids.
These kayaks, intended for rushing rivers, have different designs although they all have the same purpose. In reality, there are four distinct varieties of a whitewater kayak, made for distinct purposes.
The sort of whitewater kayak you pick out will depend on the type of river and grade of rapids you are going to paddle and the kind of kayaking you plan to do.
Understanding The Physical Characteristics Of A Whitewater Kayak
When you look at whitewater kayaks, they are usually easy to identify because they have their signature short and flat shape, have a place to sit inside, and have a unique curvy profile. They simply look different than a “typical” kayak. You can look at one – without necessarily knowing it is made for tackling rapids – and go:
That item was created to be nimble and responsive when navigating quick-moving rivers with loads of impediments.
Nevertheless, different types of whitewater kayaks will not act the same in the water, so it is essential to comprehend why they are made the way they are and how their disparate design features affect their capability.
Length, Width & Volume
We ought to kickstart this presentation about whitewater kayaks with a concise clarification of the three focal measurements – length, width, and size.
Length
You will quickly observe that most whitewater kayaks are relatively small in length compared to most other varieties of kayaks.
A kayak used for leisurely purposes typically ranges between 9 to 12 feet in length. Compare a playboat that is approximately 6 feet in length.
Quite a difference, huh?
That’s because whitewater kayaks prioritize maneuverability over everything else.
Despite the fact that they are smaller and therefore less speedy, their lack of size also hinders their maneuvering capabilities, particularly in calmer waters. Though they might not possess a great deal of speed, they excel in agility and maneuverability.
Width
Whitewater kayaks tend to measure 23 to 27 inches on average in terms of width. Recreational kayaks may be broader than the kayaks designed for racing, but they are not overly narrow.
How does that reflect on their stability?
Most people seem to agree that kayaks with a wider shape are typically more secure. It is not usually easy to determine the stability of a kayak. Width is the main factor that influences the outcome, but there may be other elements that either enhance or detract from it.
Whitewater kayaks are steady, although not in the same way that recreational kayaks are. Whitewater kayaks generally have more predictable behavior when tilted from side to side.
A whitewater kayak is stable and stays upright in rough waters, even when it is tipped to the side in a difficult situation. This is in contrast to recreational kayaks that are more stable in calmer waters.
Volume
The size of a whitewater kayak is an essential factor to consider when looking at these boats. It is still significant to take into consideration the volume of the kayak, but it is even more essential to inspect how the volume is distributed since this influences the kayak’s performance when in the water.
The volume is typically distributed in one of the following ways:
- Even distribution throughout the bow and stern, which is typical for traditional kayaks
- High bow, low stern distribution, which is typical for half-slice boats (and gives them a comet-like appearance)
- Low bow, low stern distribution, with most of the volume focused in the middle – like a cowboy hat – which is typical for full-slice boats
It should be noted that the majority of whitewater kayaks typically contain between 45 to 95 gallons of water.
Hull Type
In general, most kayaks are equipped with either a planing or a displacement hull. When it comes to whitewater kayaks, the situation gets more complicated due to the presence of a third type of hull, called the semi-displacement hull.
Here’s a quick overview of the three types of hulls found in kayaks designed for whitewater:
- Planing Hull – This type of hull is characterized by its flat bottom. It will plow through the water at lower speeds – but is capable of skimming on the surface at higher speeds. You will typically see a planing hull on playboats.
- Displacement Hull – This type of hull is rounded. Due to this continuous curve, the boat sits lower in the water and pushes through it, allowing for better tracking and edging and making it a bit more “forgiving.” You’ll typically see a displacement hull on creek boats.
- Semi-Displacement Hull – This relatively new type of hull is essentially a combination of the previous two, featuring a relatively flat hull that then slowly transitions into a curve.
Rocker Profile
The shape of the kayak viewed from the side is known as the rocker profile, referring to the curved structure running from the front to the back. The performance of a kayak in terms of speed and its capacity to move around can be affected quite a bit depending on the rocker and the direction in which it is angled.
A boat with a high rocker shape will be more mobile and able to pass obstacles in the water due to its reduced hull area in contact with the water. Conversely, a kayak with a less curved base is better suited to more complex paddling and yields better directional stability and speed.
There’s one more thing to note about rocker profiles:
The kayak has a form that is akin to a banana, with a continuous, curved surface from front to back. However, a kick rocker creates an abrupt change at both ends, allowing these kayaks to powerfully move over wave crests and is better suited for recreational activities.
Rails/Edge
The part of a kayak where the body of the boat and the wall connecting to it protrude out and along the entire length of the boat is known as the rail. Many kayakers often use the words “edge” and “rail” interchangeably. I would argue that there is a difference, though:
The rail can be seen to have a specific, sharp border at its extremity. The rail itself may have a curved, gentle shape, but the edge is still present as a distinct transition area.
The rails on a whitewater kayak can impact how it behaves on the water:
The more intense the rails, the greater the kayak’s capacity to slice through the water and change direction. Because of their harsher attitude, if you make a mistake with your technique it is more probable that you will end up in the water.
Smooth corners are the exact inverse; they are more curved – and because of this, more tolerant – at the trade-off of making the kayak less quick.
Whitewater kayak buying guide
It could be that you are getting into the sport of whitewater kayaking, and it’s time to make a commitment by investing in a boat, or possibily you already have a kayak and want to try something different. It does not matter if you are an experienced kayaker or new to the sport, it can be difficult to decide what kind of whitewater kayak to purchase.
What type of boat should you get? What size? Where should you look? The advice and insights provided by paddle shop proprietors in this whitewater kayak purchasing guide can help make the selection process simpler so that you can locate the best fit for you. Be certain that you have gone for a test drive before you pay for it.
What to know before buying a whitewater kayak
Acquire a whitewater kayak that is appropriate for your current capability, rather than the level which you anticipate it to be at in two years. According to Darren Bush, owner of Rutabaga Paddle Sports, buying a kayak that is just a bit more difficult to use than you are accustomed to is a great way to enhance your capabilities.
With regard to whitewater, particularly playboats, that isn’t advisable.
Generally speaking, you’ll recognize that it is time to move on to another kayak when the present one won’t meet the requirements you wish it to – this is better than it performing operations that you don’t desire.
If your kayak is too advanced, it will impede your advancement of basic capabilities.
Know the types of whitewater kayaks
Simon Coward, the owner of shop and kayak school Aquabatics, helps us break down the differences in kayak design:
River runners
According to Coward, river running kayaks are ideal for those who want to sharpen their paddling abilities on waterways that are less intimidating but still require some type of maneuvering.
These boats provide an enjoyable ride while going downriver, perfect for maneuvering around eddies, and with the help of their planing hulls, it is possible to surf and perform flat-spins as you travel.
Creek kayaks
Creek boats are high-volume kayaks ideal for low-volume rivers. Weekend adventurers can have faith in their capacity to handle travelling down rivers, and are also able to do daring moves such as boofs and drops.
According to Coward, these kind of runs, which include very steep and rocky surfaces, necessitate some technical skill. Boaters with Creekers have boats with a hull designed to smoothly navigate through currents and waves, allowing them to easily move up and over any obstructions in their path and make sharp turns effortlessly.
Whitewater kayaks designed for beginners can be found in the models produced by both river runners and creek boats.
Freestyle kayaks
Coward states that freestyle kayaks are quite small vessels with a lot of space in the front. If you live close to areas where you can practice and play in the water, such as park ‘n’ play spots or long river runs with rapid-acting waves and hollows, then a freestyle kayak is suggested.
Although these boats are not suitable for sailing in calm waters, they can make running on short routes that may not be very challenging more enjoyable since they manage well in both high and low water volume zones.
Half-slice kayaks
Kayaks that are cut in half are experiencing a resurgence in recent times. Kayaks that are cut in half, called “half-slice kayaks,” make a river runner model of kayak more enjoyable by reducing the amount of space inside. A kayak with half the usual slicing area has a bow comparable to a river glider, however the stern has been compressed to a low capacity.
This feature allows the canoeist to submerge the back of the canoe in the water for maneuvers like squirts, splats, and pivots. Half-slice kayaks also have crisp rails for carving waves. They show remarkable skill in enabling those paddling to execute maneuvers while gliding down the river.
Crossover kayaks
Crossover boats are all the rage right now. These boats that are long and able to hold a lot of cargo are steady and can boost a novice’s self-assurance.
They usually come with a removable skeg to make paddling and cruising on flat water easier, making them perfect for journeys down a river, or taking you to isolated fishing or climbing locations.
Coward and his associates from Aquabatics have put their equipment through some difficult tests, such as being thrown from drops and going through serious class V rapids, to demonstrate their durability in extreme conditions.
Sit-on-top kayaks
There are also sit-on-top kayaks designed for whitewater. Sit-on-top whitewater kayaks are a great way to introduce someone to the sport of kayaking without having them in the confined space of a traditional kayak’s cockpit. Instead of having to figure out how to flip over.
if someone was on a sit-on-top kayak and falls off, they can just get back on.
Kayaks designed for sitting on top are most effective when navigating intermediate or less difficult whitewater rapids, like those classified as a class II or III. Not just any sit-on-top will work best.
Some models have been created precisely for this purpose, complete with thigh straps to aid the paddler in remaining in the vessel and to direct it. Look at the below part for additional information to find out how a whitewater kayak is different from a recreational kayak.
Inflatable kayaks
Inflatable kayaks, referred to as IK’s or duckies, are constructed from PVC or other materials like whitewater rafts. They are constructed in a sit-on-top style and are able to be filled with air. They are durable and forgiving.
They are able to skip on the current of a river and are tough to flip over. Introducing paddlers to whitewater is made easy with the use of a sit-on-top or an inflatable kayak.
Kayak accessories and outfitting
It’s what’s inside that counts. Don’t underestimate the importance of outfitting. The longer you use your boat, the more irritating any adjustments necessary become.
Bush advises investing time in researching a product before making a purchase. He recommends that you try out the product by sitting on it, even if that means just in the store. “Are your legs going to sleep? Adjust it and sit for a while longer.”
Testing the boats you plan to paddle in the exact gear that you plan to wear while doing so, including shoes, multiple layers of clothing, and a whitewater PFD, is important to ensure you have a comfortable and secure fit.
For overnight trips, it is important to factor in three considerations: the capacity of your vessel for the items necessary for the journey, the ease of accessing your items, and how your vessel operates when it is packed with supplies.
Some kayaks come with detachable stern supports, a clever backband release feature, and straps attached behind the seat. These make it easier to store gear.
Think about if the size and shape of your skirt will fit with the boat’s cockpit size and border, or if you’ll need to purchase a different skirt. You should always be able to put it on and, most importantly, take it off by yourself.
