Whitewater paddling is a hugely popular watersport and one of our favourite types of kayaking styles. The term ‘whitewater kayaking’ is used to describe any paddling on moving water, from slow and steady rivers to roaring rapids. Many people find whitewater kayaking the most entertaining of all kayaking strands and it demands a certain level of skill to stay dry, meaning paddlers can keep developing their techniques a little bit more every time. If this sounds like the sport for you, then you need a whitewater kayak.
Whitewater kayak boats are made out of high-impact and high-durability plastic — usually polyethylene — so they’re able to take all sorts of knocks and scrapes during rough rapids. They’re typically shorter than other kayak styles and so easier to handle in tricky conditions, which is essential if you want to make the most of your whitewater trip. You might find it surprising to know that they’re also slower than others over long, flat distances, due to the fact they’re designed for downriver journeys where built-in speed is not needed!
There are many branches of whitewater kayaking, so it’s not surprising that there are different types of kayaks to match:
Creek kayaks
Usually, these are high-volume kayaks with equal distribution around the cockpit. Creek kayaks, or creek boats, have to deal with more difficult water conditions including waterfalls, high gradients and tight turns. So, their large deck shapes help keep both ends above the surface, while the edges along the bottom (known as ‘chines’) offer better control for sharp bends. Ideal if you like extreme sports.
Playboat kayaks
Playboating is more about tricks than anything else. Playboat paddlers stay in one spot rather than moving downriver, and the whole activity is about using the currents to perform slick manoeuvres like loops and spins. Playboat kayaks have much less volume in the front and back compared to creek and river runner kayaks. Their squashed decks let you sink to carry out vertical tricks, while their planing hulls (flat-bottom boats with angled sides) help you spin with little effort.
Their chines also increase drag for you to maintain better control, so playboats are great if you have the patience and ambition to master intricate techniques.
River runner kayaks
River running is a mix of leisurely paddling and intense rapids. River runner kayaks have mid-level-volume bow decks with small-volume stern decks that get rid of water quickly. Often slightly longer than other designs, these kayaks are built for a balance of straight-line speed and comfortable control during cruises. Good for paddlers who want a mix of rests and rapids.
You’ll never have the same experience twice in a whitewater kayak. If you want a fresh challenge where you can hone and build on your technique, a whitewater kayak is for you.
Structure and main features:
- Made out of semi-rigid, very tough plastic
- Anywhere between four to ten feet long, although usually quite short
- Great manoeuvrability
- Designed for downriver movement, so quite slow over long distances
Type of water: Any moving water, especially fast-moving rivers with lots of large rapids, dips, turns and falls.
Junior Kayaks
Lots of kids are into kayaking, so there’s a huge demand for junior kayaks. Junior kayak styles aren’t merely shrunken adult kayaks; they’re designed specifically to suit smaller paddlers and built with a focus of helping them practice and develop skills.
If your child is easily bored and looking to take up a new hobby, a junior kayak might be just what they need. Junior kayaks are extremely light, so you won’t have to carry it to and from the shoreline for them, and they come in a range of bright colours and fun designs to get kids excited for paddling before they’re even on the water. Junior kayaks are nimble enough to get out of small crevices whilst big enough in size to provide protection, making them perfect for daring paddlers.
Structure and main features:
- Short footrest lengths, low decks and narrow beams that are scaled in dimensions to fit a child.
- Typically between five and nine feet long
- Come with plenty of adjustable security features including footrests and thigh braces
- Agile and easy to handle
- Made from strong plastic
Type of water: Any! A junior kayak is solely a kayak for kids and there are varieties in all strands of paddling for them to enjoy.
Touring Kayaks
If the thing you love most about paddling is exploring the great outdoors and getting away for long periods of time, then the type of kayak you need is a touring kayak.
This style of kayak boat is found in vast open waters such as sheltered inlets and calm lakes, and paddlers who enjoy this style of kayaking the most are usually people who like visiting new places and enjoy changing coastlines. Touring kayaks are designed for stability and comfort. They feature large cockpits for easy access and higher, more supportive backrests to enable comfort during long periods on the water. Often, touring kayaks are quite short — making them easy to handle — with wider-than-most cross-section shapes that boost stability.
Comfortable with plenty of covered storage space, you can spend hours on the water visiting and seeing new places in a touring kayak.
Structure and main features:
- Large cockpits
- Very supportive backrests
- Quite wide
- Can be between 12 and 17 feet long
- Good storage space
Type of water: Still or very slow-moving water, such as peaceful lakes and sheltered bays.
Sea Kayaks
Paddling in the sea has its very own branch of kayaking with vessel designs that are carefully tailored to handle these water conditions. Sea kayaking is perfect if you enjoy beach shorelines and want to test your ability without careering across river rapids. A seasoned sea paddler can cruise up to three or more knots an hour in a sea kayak!
Often, sea kayak boats are generally longer, faster and lower in volume than touring kayaks. Their upturned bows make cutting through waves easy and the rudders under the back of these kayak boats enhance straight-line tracking for better control in choppy water. You still have waterproof storage for long trips away from land, although the longer waterline length and reduced rocker (the curve on the bottom of the kayak from bow to stern) reduce your level of manoeuvrability to a degree.
Structure and main features:
- Upturned bows
- Rudders under the back of the boat
- Long and narrow
- Watertight hatches for storage
- Sealed bulkheads to stop flooding from tall waves
- Approximately 5 to 18 feet in length
Type of water: The sea, although not too far out.
If you’re new to sea kayaking, don’t worry. Sea kayaks are designed to handle extreme conditions that you will probably never encounter. Should you get into trouble, the full-vessel deck lines make any rescue attempt easy, too.
Recreational Kayaks
If you’re relatively new to paddling and want something to learn a few key manoeuvres to get you going, a recreational kayak is the perfect kayak for beginners. Recreational kayaks are very user-friendly and also one of the more affordable ranges of kayaks available. Even better, they have plenty of features to boost your experience, including good stability, efficient paddling and comfortable seating. Recreational kayak styles are very similar in use and design to touring kayaks, although they typically don’t hold a straight course as easily.
Recreational kayaks pretty much explain themselves. An ideal platform for other hobbies, such as photography, angling, reading, and bird-watching, they’re designed to enjoy and are perfect for beginners to learn the basics of paddling. If you’re into photography and need a stable vessel or want an affordable kayak you can use for a family day out, try a recreational kayak boat.
Structure and main features:
- Less storage area than many touring kayaks
- Large cockpits for easy entering and exiting
- Wide beams for maximum stability
- High backrests for good seated support
- Usually less than 12 feet long
Type of water: Flat water, including sheltered bays, estuaries, canals, ponds, lakes, and even calm rivers. Not to be used over long distances, in open water or in strong wind.
Sit-on-top Kayaks
A slightly different kayak boat style and very popular for use alongside other favourite pastimes, sit-on-top kayaks – or just sit-on-tops – are great for people who enjoy fishing, surfing, diving, and other hobbies.
Similar in design to a surfboard, sit-on-top kayak boats are simple to get onto. Quite wide, sit-on-tops offer plenty of space for movement when you’re on the water, while the carefully moulded seating impressions keep you feeling comfortable and secure. The open deck layout and sealed hull make the sit-on-top kayak look less intimidating for many paddlers, making them ideal for beginners who might feel trapped inside a cockpit.
Structure and main features:
- Sealed hulls and moulded impressions for secure seating
- Relatively wide bodies
- Some designs even offer seats, backrests and thigh braces
- Higher centre of gravity than in traditional kayaks
- Can hold a good amount of weight easily
- Have small ‘scupper holes’ for quickly draining water
Type of water: Slow-moving, reasonably warm water due to your exposure.
Although sit-on-tops aren’t good for long tours because of the more upright position you hold, this kayak style can carry a lot of gear and gives you great security despite the open deck. Its wide build also makes the sit-on-top a slower model, which gives enthusiasts plenty of time to enjoy their hobbies when off land.