| Whitewater kayaks
are generally made out of rigid, high impact plastic; usually
polyethylene. They are shorter than other types of kayaks,
ranging from 5.5 to 10 feet (2 to 3 metres) long. Modern design
has moved toward shorter boats, which make them very
maneuverable but slow. However, whitewater boats do not need
inherent speed, because they move downriver with current. In
"freestyle" competition ("kayak rodeo"), whitewater kayakers use
features of rapids to do tricks, typically while remaining in
one place on the river. Ultra-low-volume kayaks that are designed to be paddled both on and below the surface of the water are used in Squirt Boating. |
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| Surfing Diagonal Ledges on the Lower Gauley River - Swiss, WV |