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Kayaking is
a high-endurance sport that requires exceptional,
well-conditioned athletes and extraordinary equipment. According
to Tom Sherburne, president of Shred Ready, a kayak helmet
manufacturer, plastics play a huge role in kayaking, with nearly
all gear used by athletes made from some type of plastic.
Plastic paddles and oars are made from carbon reinforced with
plastics, fiberglass, fiber-reinforced plastic, KevlarŪ,
or polyester weave. The decision to use a particular material
depends on the power of the rower or canoeist as well as the
type of boat. Paddles must be strong enough to carry the craft
forward in fast-moving rapids, yet light enough to keep the
rowers' strokes even. Plastics seem to be the optimal material
to satisfy the requirement for strong and durable equipment.
Helmets, although not
required, are worn by many kayakers, especially in slalom
competitions. For sprints, helmets' shells are made from
KevlarŪ, E-Glass (a type of fiberglass), and a plastic resin and
polyester gel coat. For slaloms, helmets are most often made
from composite carbon fiber, which is light and allows kayakers
to quickly move their heads to avoid slalom poles. "The main
reason we use KevlarŪ is because it's so strong and will spread
the energy [from an impact] across the whole shell, instead of
just the point of impact," says Sherburne.
Composite helmets are a
recent addition to safety equipment. Before the advent of strong
plastic helmets made specifically for these sports, kayakers
used motorcycle or leather bike helmets, which were cumbersome,
uncomfortable and did not always provide adequate protection. In
the early 1990s, many helmets were made from heavier plastics
but kayakers found the helmets awkward.
source for canoeing and kayaking information, includes
places to canoe or kayak, information on new and used canoes and
kayaks, guides and outfitters, books, photographs, and much more
Canoeing and Kayaking
Whether it's
backcountry sea kayaking trips in Yellowstone National Park,
whitewater canoe and kayak instruction, rafting down the Snake
River, guided fishing trips or full service outfitting and
rentals.
With its spectacular mountain scenery and abundant wildlife, the
entire Snake River Corridor is one of the most remarkable places
to paddle in the country. Bald Eagle, Osprey, Moose, Elk, and
occasionally Bighorn Sheep and River Otter are seen in and
around the river every day. All protected within the
Bridger-Teton National Forest, the class I and II whitewater of
the upper Snake River provides an ideal location to master the
fundamentals of whitewater paddling. Flowing into the Snake, the
class II and III rapids of Granite Creek and the Hoback River
provide a more technical stretch of river for developing and
fine tuning intermediate whitewater paddling skills.
We want to teach you the techniques and
help you develop the efficiency it takes to be an excellent
paddler. We'll provide you with new boat designs and teach you
the essentials of river safety. You can enjoy the sports of
kayaking and canoeing at a level comfortable for you, and we can
help you find that level and teach you the things you want to
learn. Our goal is to provide the student with a level of
comfort and safety, which will help make paddling the greatest
experience of their life
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