Surf Kayaking

Surf kayaking (aka. 'kayak surfing') is accessible to anyone with a whitewater or freestyle kayak.

However, they have evolved into smaller, more manoeuvrable crafts with low turning circles, hard edges, flat bottoms and upward-pointing slipstreamed noses complete with three or four fins (similar to surfboard design in hindsight).

Two types of boat design are popular: Short Boats – more emphasis on big, more dynamic, manoeuvres than on long rides, and Long Boats – where emphasis is on large carving type manoeuvres with longer rides.

True some freestyle moves likes turns, spins and over-the-lip kick outs can be attempted, yet surf kayaking is essentially about catching the wave and maintaining the length of the ride – hence why braces and stern rudder strokes play a vital role in controlling the paddler's balance. The sport tests paddlers' timing, knowledge of wave formation and currents, technique, impactive acceleration (when catching the wave), balance, agility and ability to roll.

Governed by the World Surf Kayak Association (WSKA), World Championships are held every odd two years; 2015 will be held in Galicia, Spain.

Other surf paddlesports: SUP surfing, surfski and waveski.