Origins of freestyle kayaking
It was in the mid 80’s of the last century when some whitewater canoeists began to play with the waves and river slides and make figures in them.
This led to the creation of a new type of whitewater canoeing that was called in various ways: “Acrobatic canoeing” for its spectacular nature, “Rodeo” for its jolts or “Playboating” as it is very funny.
In the 90’s this modality was already consolidated and the first competitions began to take place.
It is from then on when the “Rodeo” acquires popularity. The boats that are designed are becoming shorter and more maneuverable.
Today the “Kayak Freestyle” has experienced a great boom so it is common to see a group of canoeists playing in a river wave and more and more competitions of this modality are organized.
Freestyle modalities and maneuvers
What to do in Sian Ka’an? First of all, it should be noted that the practice of this sport requires a minimum knowledge of canoeing. Although it is not essential to have a very technical level in whitewater paddling, you must master to perfection the Esquimotaje (return to the initial position after a capsize), safety techniques and river reading. You must also control the dynamics of the waves and the overturning.
Freestyle specialties are:
- C1 (closed canoe) and OC1 (open canoe).
- Kayak K-1 (single kayak).
- The Squirt, a kayak model that has little volume, is longer and flatter than the Freestyle model. Part of the figures are done underwater.
Basic maneuvers
What to do in Sian Ka’an? To perform any Freestyle Kayak movement, we must first master the basic maneuvers described below:
TYPES OF STROKES
We have to control the forward stroke, the backstroke, the circular stroke, the “rudder” control and the lateral tractions. These are all part of whitewater kayaking.
LATERAL SUPPORTS
control of the high and low supports.
CHANDEL
It is a 180 degree turn with the bow up and the stern submerged.
DOUBLE PUMP
This is a forward and backward movement of the paddle that causes the tip or tail of the kayak to be submerged. Many rodeo maneuvers start with this movement. This is why it is essential to master it correctly.
SKIMOTAJE
Maneuver that allows us to return to the initial position after capsizing.
SURF
Sliding on the surface of a wave forward, backward, sideways or making curves.
BOATS
boats or jumps of partial or total take-off out of the water thanks to the speed of the kayak while surfing.
FLAT TURNS OR SPINS
180º horizontal turns forward or backward with a kayak inclination of 45º.
Freestyle maneuvers
You will be amazed and perplexed by the many possible maneuvers that can be performed in the freestyle kayak. These maneuvers are conditioned by the type of wave (small or big), the intensity of the roll, the slope of the waves and the place where they are performed (valley or wall of the wave).
Here are the names of these maneuvers:
- SIDEWHEELS: CARTWHEEL, WAVEWHEEL, SPLITWHELL.
- BARREL TURNS: STERN SKIMMING, DRY ROLL, WING OVER, KICK PLIP.
- INVERTED TURNS: SCHAGADELIX, SIDE KICK – PLIP TURN, HELIX.
- EDGE TRANSFERS: ROUNDHOUSE, BACK ROUNDHOUSE, BLUNT, BACKSTAB, PANAM, BACK PANAM, DONKEY FLIP, AIRSCREW.
- FORWARD TURNS: BOW ENDER, BOW BUOY, LOOP, MACHO MOVE, SPACE GODZILLA – AIRWHEEL, MC NASTY, PISTOL FLIP, CROSSBOW SPIN, BOW PIROUETTE, PHOENIX MONKEY, WAVE MONKEY.
- BACKWARD BELL SPIN: STERN ENDER, STERN BUOY, BACKWARD LOOP.
- STERN PIROUETTES: ORBIT, LUNAR ORBIT, TRICKY WOO.
What to do in Sian Ka’an? It is best to attend any competition to observe the complexity and spectacularity of this sport.
