What year was the kayak created?

Answer 1

Kayaks evolved over at least several thousand years, rather than being invented by someone. Kaykas have been used by arctic people for millennia and have changed gradually during that time. As people migrated from Russia across the Bering Straight to Alaska, Northern Canada, and eventually to Greenland, they took with them their boatbuilding skills and adapted them to the conditions, materials, and the type of prey found in their new homes. Over thousands of years the design of the kayak was refined, and numerous types evolved. Traditionally, kayaks were built by covering a wooden frame with seal skin. In the 1900's there were modern boats made of wood, but kayaking did not enjoy very wide exposure. After the 1950's when fiberglass became available there was an increase in kayak building for several decades. However kayaking was still relatively unknown. In the mid 1980's the first plastic kayaks were manufactured and this sparked an upturn in the popularity of the sport. This increase in popularity was enhanced by Sit-on-top kayaks which did not require much skill. Currently, most kayaks are made of plastic, fiberglass, or kevlar. There has been a resurgance of interest in native kayaks, particularly the Greenland style.