The kayak has been around for over 4000 years. It was created almost out of necessity by the people of the Arctic in order for them to be able to hunt and fish away from their frozen landscape on which they lived. The first kayaks were constructed out of driftwood as there were no trees that were in the areas from which to get the wood that would make the frame. Usually a husband and wife would work together to make this craft for themselves or the male to use. The wife would sew seal skins together to be stretched over the wooden frame that was made by the male. The wife would then make an insert that would fit over the cockpit to keep the craft water tight as many of the Arctic people were unable to swim. This is where the term Eskimo roll comes from.

As you can see many changes have been made from the first kayaks. First of all most people do not make their own as they are usually purchased and are in most cases mass manufactured. There is also the actual materials that are used in the making of the kayak as well. In most cases animal skins are not used at all as these have been replaced with more durable manmade materials. As well there are many more purposes and designs behind the kayak. Each design is now specialized to get more interest into specific markets as well as to boost sales of the many different styles.

So as times have progressed so have kayaks. They originally were a single purpose craft which has been turned into an extreme sport and leisure activity and any other type of water adventure that one can imagine in a man powered craft. Just like everything else as times change the kayak will as well.