What is Kayak?
[[Image:Greenland kayak seal hunter 2006.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Inuit]] seal hunter in a kayak, armed with a harpoon.]] [[Image:Greenland Ilulissat Kajak 1.jpg|thumb|Structure of an Inuit kayak]] [[Image:Wda Kajak 2005 Szumyk.jpg|thumb|modern kayak]] A '''kayak''' is a small [[boat]] that is driven by manpower. It typically has a covered [[deck]], and a [[cockpit]] covered by a [[spraydeck]]. It is propelled by a double-bladed [[paddle]] by a sitting paddler. The kayak was used by the native [[Ainu people|Ainu]], [[Inuits|Inuit]], [[Aleuts|Aleut]] and [[Eskimo]] hunters in sub-Arctic regions of northeastern [[Asia]], [[North America]] and [[Greenland]]. Modern kayaks come in a wide variety of designs and materials for specialized purposes. Kayaks typically are built for one, two or occasionally three [[paddler]]s who sit facing forward in one or more cockpits below the deck of the boat. The spray skirt or similar waterproof garment attaches securely to the edges of the cockpit, so that no water from waves or spray may enter the boat. Therefore, in most styles the boat can [[Eskimo Roll|roll]] upright again without it filling with water or ejecting the paddler. Kayaks differ distinctly in design and history from [[canoe]]s, which are craft propelled by single-bladed paddles by a kneeling paddler, although some modern canoes may be difficult for a non-expert to distinguish from a kayak. Kayaks are often called canoes in [[Great Britain]] and [[Ireland]]. == Other websites == *[http://www.usack.org USA Canoe and Kayak] The National Governing Body of Kayaking in the USA *[http://www.wavewalk.com/ARTICLES.html WaveTalk.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102103725/http://www.wavewalk.com/ARTICLES.html |date=2007-01-02 }} A collection of articles about traditional and modern kayak design, ergonomics and biomechanics of kayaking and various kayak applications. *[http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/guillemot/information/kayak_design Kayak design] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/200