What Is the Origin of the Kayak?

The kayak, translated from Inuit as "hunter's boat," was mainly used to hunt animals on the water, but was also used for transportation. Its early origins lie in the Arctic North in harsh climates where indigenous peoples had to seek out sustenance offshore or do without. Over time, the design, materials and use given the kayak have evolved, as kayaking has become a recreational past time worldwide.

  1. People and Place of Origin

    • The original kayakers lived in the Arctic region including the Aleutian Islands and parts of modern day Alaska, Northern Canada, Greenland, and Siberia. Some of the most advanced kayak designs came from the Aleutians in Alaska and the Greenlanders. The waters in these regions are ice-free most of the year and the kayak was the main form of transportation for these people.

    Original Materials and Designs

    • Kayaks were originally made of natural materials. Traditionally, animal skins -- most often those of sea mammals like sea lions and seals -- and were stretched over a wooden frame. The wooden frame was secured with sinews or cord made from animal skin. According to the Canadian Museum of Civilization, while most kayaks were long, narrow and shallow, nearly every Inuit group in North America had its own particular kayak design depending on the local environment and uses required.

    Traditional Uses

    • The kayak was traditionally used for hunting on the water in lakes, rivers and the sea. Depending on the location and culture of the hunters, these vessels were used to hunt whales, seals, sea otters, walruses, birds, caribou and fish. Hunting caribou from kayaks was more common among inland peoples like those of the Chukchi Peninsula, Northern Alaska and West Hudson Bay. Some multi-person kayaks were also used for transporting foreigners, such as traders and priests, from one island to another.

    Modern Recreational Kayaks

    • There are two main sources for modern kayaks, those developed from copies of Southwest Greenland kayaks and those based on the kayaks of the Pacific Northwest of North America. The Southwest Greenland kayaks, inspired by a kayak from Western Greenland brought to Scotland by Ken Taylor, were commercially produced under the name Anas Acuta. The Rob Roy kayak was designed by John McGregor based on sketches of Eskimo kayaks and this type is still used as a basis for many kayak designs in the Pacific Northwest of North America. Modern kayaks are made of a wide variety of materials, including fiberglass, plastic, aluminum and rubberized canvas.