COMPLIMENTS

Kashmir, the fathers of modern Kayaking and Canoeing in India
Mohammad Yusuf
University Swimming Coach
Kayaks and canoes have been used for travel and transportation for hundreds of
years by people of many cultures. Canadian Canoeing was started by Red
Indians in North America and Kayaking by Eskimos. Other forms emerged as
dug-out, outriggers in other parts of the world. The out-rigged dug-out canoes
are still used in Kerala and famous Shikara in Kashmir. Originally canoes and
kayaks were built of such materials as wood (covered with bark) and whalebone
(covered with animal skins) but now they are usually constructed of molded
plastic and fiberglass and aluminum alloys etc. As a competitive sport canoeing
was invented by John MacGregor of Scotland in 1866. Canoeing debuted at the 1924 Olympic Games in
Paris as a demonstration sport. It was included as a medal sport at the 1936 Olympic in Berlin. The
International Canoe Federation founded in 1924 is the worldwide canoeing organization and creates the
standard rules for the different disciplines of canoe/kayak competitions. In India the sport is controlled
by Kayaking and Canoeing Federation of India. The J&K Kayaking and Canoeing Association is the
umbrella organization of all state canoe clubs statewide. The JKKCA is ably led by Dr. Sheikh Mustafa
Kamaal for last several decades.
Types/events of Kayaks/Canoes:
Kayaking and Canoeing are two different recognized Olympic paddle sports.
These are emerging as one of the most popular water sports in the world. Flat water Kayaking is the use of
a Kayak for moving across in still water. Kayaking is generally differentiated from Canoeing by the fact
that a kayak has closed cockpit and a canoe has an open cockpit. In kayaking we use two bladed paddles
while as in canoeing we use one bladed paddle. Another major difference is in the way peddler sits in the
boat. Kayakers sit in a seat on the bottom of the boat with their legs extended out in front of them.
Canoeists will kneel directly on the bottom of the boat.