If you trace the origin of the sea kayak, your journey will take you back hundreds of years to the Artic - specifically the Eskimo.
Eskimos were very dependant on the sea for food (fish, seal, walrus, sea otter and whale), oil for lighting, skins and furs for warmth and ivory and bones for weapons and tools.
The "umiak" or "woman's boat" measured 30' x 6' and had a flat bottom. It was used to transport a family and its cargo and served as a stable boat for whale hunting.
Later, because the umiak was not appropriate for hunting walrus or seal, the true kayak or "hunter's kayak" was developed. This craft provided the Eskimo with the speed, silence and seaworthiness they needed to hunt their prey. And when you're hunting caribou, speed is of the upmost importance.
To successfully kill caribou, the woman would creep up by land and frighten the migrating herd into the river by throwing stones or inukshuks. The men would then paddle up to the herd, stabbing them swiftly in the rib cage in order to pierce the animal's heart or lung. Accuracy on the part of the hunter, coupled with the speed of the kayak, kept the hunter from being thrown into icy waters among a frenzied herd.
With the progression of time, the Eskimo greatly improved the design of the kayak.
| KAYAK DESIGN | INTENDED USE | REMARKS |
|---|---|---|
| Caribou | Hunting caribou | Rockered bottom, quick pivot |
| East Greenland | Hunting seal | 19'6" x 20", long bow, low stern, min. wind resistance, fast |
| Baidarka of the Aleutian Islands | Hunting whale & sea otter | 21' x 23", considered finest of kayaks |
If you opt for a more leisure paddle, nature offers unlimited resources to experience.
