48 kayaking terms explained, including eddy, wet exit, grab loop, spray skirt and ferry, each with a one-line definition.
Most kayaking terminology is practical rather than decorative. It names the parts of the boat, the shapes the river makes and the strokes that get you past both. The words related to kayaking below start at the bow and work back, and the words associated with kayaking safety are in there too, because on moving water they matter most. Use the kayaking glossary at the end when an instructor uses a word you have not met yet.
Must-Know Kayaking Terms, Phrases and Slang:
- Bilge pump
- Bow
- Bulkhead
- Eddy
- Ferry
- Float bag
- Hatch
- Keel
- Paddle
- Portage
- Rapid
- Skeg
- Spray skirt
- Stern
- Thwart
- Whitewater
- Yoke
- Bracing
- Broach
- Capsize
- Dry bag
- Eskimo roll
- Grab loop
- Helm
- Hypothermia
- Kayak
- PFD (Personal Flotation Device)
- Sponson
- Tracking
- Wet exit
Kayaking Glossary: Every Term A to Z
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Bilge pump | A hand pump used to clear water out of the cockpit. Standard kit on any longer trip. |
| Bow | The front end of the kayak, pointed so it cuts cleanly through the water. |
| Bracing | Using the paddle flat against the water for support to stop a capsize. A low brace supports from below, a high brace from above. |
| Broach | When the kayak swings sideways and pins against a rock or the force of the current. A dangerous position that needs immediate weight shift. |
| Bulkhead | An internal partition that divides the hull into compartments. It stiffens the boat and traps air for flotation. |
| Capsize | Flipping the kayak over. From there the paddler either rolls back up or performs a wet exit. |
| Chine | The line where the bottom of the hull meets the sides. Sharp chines grip when the boat is edged, soft chines feel looser. |
| Coaming | The raised lip around the cockpit that the spray skirt hooks onto. |
| Cockpit | The opening the paddler sits in, ringed by the coaming. |
| Deck | The top surface of the kayak, over the hull. Gear gets lashed to it under deck lines. |
| Draw stroke | A stroke that plants the blade out to the side and pulls the boat sideways toward it, used for moving across without turning. |
| Dry bag | A waterproof roll-top sack that keeps gear and clothing dry inside the boat. |
| Eddy | The pocket of water behind an obstacle where the current runs back upstream. Paddlers duck into eddies to rest and to look at what comes next. |
| Eskimo roll | The self-rescue that rights a capsized kayak without the paddler leaving the boat. Now more often just called a roll. |
| Feathering | Setting the two blades of the paddle at an offset angle to each other, which cuts wind resistance on the recovery. |
| Ferry | Crossing a current sideways by angling the boat upstream and paddling, so the flow pushes you across rather than down. |
| Float bag | An inflatable bag stuffed into the ends of the hull so a swamped boat still floats high. |
| Forward stroke | The basic propulsion stroke. Done well it comes from torso rotation rather than the arms. |
| Grab loop | The rope or webbing loop at bow and stern, used as a handhold, a tie-down point and a rescue grip. |
| Hatch | A sealed opening in the deck giving access to a storage compartment. |
| Helm | Steering and directing the boat, in a tandem kayak normally the job of the paddler in the back. |
| Hydraulic | Water pouring over a drop and recirculating back on itself. Also called a hole, and a strong one can hold a boat or a swimmer. |
| Hypothermia | Dangerous loss of body heat from cold water or weather. The reason paddlers dress for immersion, not for the air temperature. |
| Kayak | A narrow, decked boat propelled with a double-bladed paddle, built in recreational, touring and whitewater shapes. |
| Keel | The line running along the bottom of the hull from bow to stern. It helps the boat hold a straight course. |
| Paddle | The double-bladed shaft used to move and steer the kayak. Blade shape and length vary with the type of paddling. |
| Painter | A short rope tied to the bow, used for tying the boat off and for handling it on the bank. |
| PFD (personal flotation device) | The buoyancy vest every paddler wears, also called a life jacket. It keeps a swimmer's head above water. |
| Portage | Carrying the boat overland, around an unrunnable section or between two bodies of water. |
| Put-in | The spot where boats are launched at the start of a trip. |
| Rapid | A fast, broken section of river. Rapids are graded from Class I, easy, to Class VI, extreme. |
| Rudder | A steering blade that drops off the stern and is controlled with foot pedals. Common on touring kayaks. |
| Seal launch | Sliding a loaded boat off a bank or ledge straight into the water with the paddler already inside. |
| Sit-on-top | An open kayak with no enclosed cockpit. Easy to climb back onto, which is why rental fleets are full of them. |
| Skeg | A retractable fin under the stern that helps the boat hold its line in wind and current, without steering it. |
| Sponson | An inflatable float fitted to the side of the boat for extra stability. |
| Spray skirt | The waterproof cover that seals the paddler into the cockpit and keeps water out. |
| Stern | The back end of the kayak. Most turning strokes work off the stern. |
| Strainer | A fallen tree or grate that lets water through but not a boat or a body. One of the most serious hazards on a river. |
| Surfing | Holding the boat on the face of a standing wave, using the current rather than paddle power to stay in place. |
| Sweep stroke | A wide arcing stroke from bow to stern that turns the boat without slowing it much. |
| Take-out | The landing spot where boats come off the water at the end of a trip. |
| Throw bag | A bag of floating rope thrown to a swimmer to pull them to safety. Every group should carry one. |
| Thwart | A crosswise brace inside an open boat. It belongs to canoes rather than kayaks, where a bulkhead does the same structural job. |
| Tracking | How well a kayak holds a straight line. Good tracking means less correction and less wasted effort. |
| Wet exit | Getting out of a capsized kayak underwater, by releasing the spray skirt and sliding forward out of the cockpit. |
| Whitewater | River sections broken into foam by gradient and obstacles. Paddling them needs bracing, rolling and river reading. |
| Yoke | The shaped crosspiece a canoe is carried on, resting across the shoulders. Kayaks are portaged differently, usually on one shoulder or by two people. |
#1 Bilge Pump
A hand-operated device used to remove water from the inside of the kayak, enhancing safety and comfort during paddling. It’s essential for maintaining buoyancy and preventing capsizing in the event of a leak or heavy water entry.
#2 Bow
The front end of a kayak, which is typically pointed to aid in slicing through water efficiently. Recognizing the bow is crucial for understanding kayaking instructions and for correct boat handling and orientation.
#3 Bulkhead
A vertical partition inside the kayak that creates separate compartments and adds structural integrity. Bulkheads also provide flotation by trapping air, which can be vital during capsize recovery.
#4 Eddy
A river feature where the current circulates backward, typically on the downstream side of an obstacle. Kayakers use eddies to rest, scout rapids, or enter and exit the main current with less effort.
#5 Ferry
A technique used by kayakers to move laterally across a river’s current. By angling the kayak and paddling, one can efficiently cross the flow to reach a desired location without being swept downstream.
#6 Float Bag
An inflatable bag that is inserted into the kayak’s hull to displace water and enhance buoyancy. Float bags are a key safety feature that prevent the kayak from sinking if it fills with water.
#7 Hatch
A covered opening on the deck of a kayak used for internal access to storage compartments. Hatches are essential for stowing gear safely and keeping it dry, especially during longer trips or sea kayaking adventures.
#8 Keel
The longitudinal structure along the bottom of a kayak, extending from the bow to the stern. The keel helps to stabilize and streamline the kayak, aiding in straight-line movement through water and improving tracking.
#9 Paddle
A kayaking essential, the paddle is used to navigate and propel the kayak through the water. They come in various shapes and sizes, each designed for specific types of kayaking, such as touring or whitewater.
#10 Portage
The act of carrying a kayak over land to avoid difficult sections of water or to move from one body of water to another. Portage routes are sometimes necessary in challenging or unnavigable terrain.
#11 Rapid
A fast-flowing section of river with turbulent water, often creating a challenging and thrilling environment for kayakers. Rapids are classified by difficulty, ranging from Class I (easy) to Class VI (extreme danger).
#12 Skeg
A skeg is a retractable fin located on the bottom of a kayak that helps with steering and stability. It’s particularly useful for keeping a straight course in windy conditions or during strong currents.
#13 Spray Skirt
A waterproof cover that attaches to the cockpit of a kayak and wraps around the kayaker’s waist, preventing water from entering the boat. It’s essential for whitewater and sea kayaking to stay dry.
#14 Stern
The back end of a kayak is called the stern. It’s pivotal in navigation as maneuvers often involve pushing or pulling water at the stern to change direction or maintain stability.
#15 Thwart
A horizontal brace or support typically found in canoes rather than kayaks. In kayaking, a similar concept may be referred to as a bulkhead or support that adds structural integrity to the craft and can also serve as a footrest or gear attachment point.
#16 Whitewater
Refers to parts of rivers, streams, or other bodies of water with rapid, turbulent flow and a frothy surface. Whitewater kayaking involves navigating these challenging conditions, requiring skill, strength, and knowledge of advanced paddling techniques.
#17 Yoke
The yoke is a sturdy crosspiece typically found in canoes, not kayaks, that allows for easier carrying on the shoulders by a single person or with a partner. It’s the central balance point for portaging (carrying the boat over land).
#18 Bracing
Bracing is a kayaking technique used to prevent capsizing, where the paddler uses the paddle against the water for support. There are two main types: high brace for support from above and low brace for support from below.
#19 Broach
To broach is when a kayak becomes pinned sideways against an obstacle, such as a rock or the river flow. This precarious position can be dangerous as it may lead to capsizing or damage to the kayak.
#20 Capsize
Capsizing occurs when the kayak flips over in the water. This can happen due to imbalance, strong waves, or incorrect maneuvers. Practicing a wet exit and Eskimo roll is crucial for safety in capsizing situations.
#21 Dry Bag
A dry bag is an essential waterproof sack used in kayaking to keep gear and personal items dry while on the water. It’s sealed with a roll-top closure and often made of rugged materials like vinyl or nylon.
#22 Eskimo Roll
The Eskimo roll is a self-rescue technique that allows a kayaker to right the kayak without exiting it after capsizing. Mastering this skill is invaluable for paddlers venturing into rough water conditions.
#23 Grab loop
A safety feature on a kayak, usually a loop of rope or webbing located at the bow and stern. Grab loops are used to secure the kayak during transport, for rescues, and provide a handhold for getting in and out of the kayak.
#24 Helm
The direction or position of guidance for the kayak, typically managed by the person in the rear when tandem paddling. Helm decisions are crucial for smooth navigation and avoiding obstacles in the water.
#25 Hypothermia
A potentially dangerous condition that occurs when a kayaker’s body temperature drops due to exposure to cold water or weather. Proper gear and knowledge are essential for prevention during cold-weather paddles.
#26 Kayak
A small, narrow watercraft propelled by means of a double-bladed paddle. Kayaks come in various designs for different water conditions, such as recreational, touring, and whitewater kayaking.
#27 PFD (Personal Flotation Device)
A life-saving device that kayakers wear, also known as a life jacket or life vest. PFDs provide buoyancy and help keep the wearer’s head above water in the event of a capsize.
#28 Sponson
A flotation device attached to the side of a kayak to enhance stability. Sponsons can be particularly useful for beginners or when paddling in rough water conditions.
#29 Tracking
The ability of a kayak to maintain a straight line while paddling. Good tracking helps with efficient paddling and reduces the effort needed to keep the kayak on course.
#30 Wet Exit
The process of safely exiting a capsized kayak. A wet exit is a fundamental safety skill that kayakers should master to prepare for potential capsizing situations.
FAQ
What is the stick used to move a kayak called?
A paddle. Unlike a canoe paddle it has a blade at each end, so the paddler alternates sides without swapping hands.
What is the move called that rolls a kayak back upright?
A roll, traditionally called an Eskimo roll. The paddler sweeps the blade across the surface and drives the hip to bring the boat back under them, all without leaving the cockpit.
Why are grab loops important on a kayak?
They give you something to hold. A grab loop at bow and stern is the handhold for carrying the boat, the point a rescuer grabs to tow it, and the anchor for tying it down on a roof rack.
What do you call carrying a kayak or canoe over land?
A portage. Boats are portaged around unrunnable water, between two lakes, or past sections closed by low water or fallen trees.
What is it called when you put a kayak into the water?
Putting in. The spot itself is the put-in, and the place you leave the water is the take-out. Sliding in off a ledge with the paddler already seated is a seal launch.
What is a terminal hydraulic in kayaking?
A hydraulic is water pouring over a drop and folding back on itself, also known as a hole. It is called terminal when the recirculation is strong enough to hold a boat or a swimmer rather than flush them downstream.
They fall into three groups: the boat (bow, stern, cockpit, coaming, skeg), the water (eddy, rapid, hydraulic, strainer) and the strokes and skills (forward stroke, sweep, brace, roll, wet exit). The kayaking glossary above covers all of them.
What are some kayaking terms for beginners?
“Bow,” “Stern,” and “Paddle,” are some kayaking terms beginners should start with. Understanding these basics is crucial for communicating and maneuvering on the water.
What are some funny kayaking terms?
“Wet exit” and “Eskimo roll” are some funny kayaking terms, injecting a bit of humor into the sport with their whimsical descriptions of exiting the kayak and recovering from a capsize.
What is a famous kayaking phrase?
“Roll or swim,” is a famous kayaking phrase, often used to denote the decision kayakers must make when capsized: to perform an Eskimo roll or exit the boat and swim.
