The roots of the kayak as a craft are somewhere in the millennia-old snows of the Arctic. Invented by Inuit and Aleut tribes in the Arctic territories of North America more than 5,000 years ago, the kayak was initially used primarily for hunting. The Greenlandic word qajaq actually translates literally as “hunting boat”.
The harsh conditions forced the hunters to build their kayaks with materials such as animal hides and skins, liberally smeared with whale blubber to make them waterproof.
Even these very early models of kayaks show design differences similar to the modern boats we know today.
Kayaks designed for fishing and hunting featured a wider and higher cockpit. And those used by the Inuit for long-distance travel were shallower and longer, like the modern touring kayaks we paddle.
Evolution of kayaks
The kayak found its way to Europe in the early 1800s in the form of a fabric-covered boat structure.
Kayaking, as a sport, begins
was gaining popularity in Western Europe at the same time. To this day, kayaks continue to be used as a means of transport in icy waters, and for expeditions to the North and South Poles, are part of the equipment for getting across partially frozen rivers.
Rowing for pleasure, on the other hand, began its real development only in the middle of the XIX century, when it was popularized by the British John MacGregor. In 1845, MacGregor commissioned the construction of a series of cedar and oak canoes called the “Rob Roy” and sailed them to explore rivers and lakes across Europe. 
He published his impressions in a book called A Thousand Miles in Rob Roy Canoe, which became extremely popular in Europe. In 1873, he became a popular writer in the United States. MacGregor and his canoe club introduced kayaking as a competitive sport and began organizing regattas.
Kayaking made a great leap in its history in 1924 when it was introduced as a demonstration sport at the 8th Olympiad in Paris, and in 1936 it returned to the Berlin Olympics as a full-medal sport.
Modern kayak designs
Originally, the design of kayaks was strictly defined and limited by the materials used in their construction.
After the first fiberglass kayak was made, the situation changed dramatically. The material makes the boats lighter, but at the same time more durable. In 1984, the first polypropylene kayaks came on the market.
Our favorite kayak is – Any kayak that can take you on an unforgettable adventure!
Because of the opportunity to touch places inaccessible by anything else.
That is why our entire fleet is made of “flying” kayaks.
Come with us on one of our adventures and see for yourself why we call them “flying” kayaks!