Nevertheless, the most ancient reference to this ship was discovered by archeologist Sir Leonard Wooley, next to the tomb of a Sumerian king. There, in the banks of the Euphrates River, was found a representation of a canoe and a silver oar, over 6000 years old. At the Yucatan peninsula, appeared another canoe representation on a mural, 1150 AC, and on the ruins of Tikal, at the heart of Guatemala, there is some dating back to 700 AC with engravings representing canoes. The very first to know Eskimo kayaks were the British, who took it, back to Europe by the end of the nineteenth century (1890). From that moment on, the kayak begins to become popular until today, when it no longer is seen as a work instrument, but more as entertainment and competition.

THE BEGINNINGS The birth of kayaking such as it is known today, goes back to the kayak built in 1865, by the Scotsman John McGregor, a lawyer residing in London. During thatyear, McGregor engaged in various trips aboard his kayak traveling the lakes and rivers of the Nordic countries in Central Europe (France, Germany and Switzerland). He also reached the Red Sea, and sailed the Jordan River, the Suez Canal and the Nile River.

It was this lawyer who conceived the idea of a craft which was light and big enough to carry him. He also thought of a double paddle oar to impulse him.

So, today's kayak came to be the same used in sports competitions or adventure tours. In 1936 the kayak for competition in the Olympic Games of Berlin appeared for the first time. And from that date on, it has been present in every tournament.

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TO SUIT EVERY TASTE The mixture of kayak and water offers a lot of possibilities. Some of its specialties may be practiced in fresh water while others on the sea.

White water: is kayaking when practiced on rivers. Competition is under the modalities of descent and slalom.

Descent consists of going down a section of a river, approximately 6 kilometers, in the smallest time possible. In these cases, the craft is longer and narrow, but faster.

On the descent of rivers, there are trials at the international category which are very difficult, requiring a very special, nautical instinct. The kayakist should be able to interpret what water currents, depths and dangers may be present as he passes. Here there are no obstacles, only the natural ones of the river, with strong currents and passages requiring a great ability. Within the specialty of white waters, you may find the modality carried out in rushing waters, which as suggested by its name, is characterized by the water's force.

The main competition within it is the slalom, when the rower has to overcome not only the rapids and natural obstacles, but also tests of obligatory way, which are placed along a length of almost 800 meters.

Quiet waters: This is the Olympic specialty par excellence. Competition is generally on lakes or rivers without much current.

Marathon: the kayak marathon is done on lakes, lagoons, rivers and the sea. Distances exceed 15 kilometers and crafts are specially adapted to that aim.

As there may be variety in the practice of kayak, there are a variety of constructive models for the crafts. The possibility of using any fabrication material has been exploited to the max. Treated woods, metals, plastics and fibers, which make kayaks lighter, durable and resistant.

Currently, many are made of fine woods, which are worked adequately. But carbon fibers and kevlar also give them greater resistance. Nevertheless, the material used, which gives them an excellent quality, is plastic, due to a greater durability.

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