| In lay man's terms, whitewater can be described as | | | | Rapids are graded in the same way that the ski runs |
| the bubbly water that is seen across rivers, when | | | | are graded - according to the difficulty or hazards |
| the water flows over rocks, or when something | | | | involved in the rapids. Whitewater is classified into six |
| obstructs the flow of water. The term is also | | | | grades or classes. The first grade or class is applied |
| sometimes used to describe water that looks | | | | to those rapids or whitewaters that have very small |
| turbulent. Whitewater kayaking is an extreme sport | | | | rough areas and need very little maneuvering. The |
| that involves the paddling of a kayak on a white | | | | skill required at this level is "nil". The next grade, the |
| water river, or any other moving body of water. | | | | second class, can be described as moving water, |
| Whitewater kayaking can vary from simple and very | | | | which offers little difficulty and may have some |
| gentle waters, to highly dangerous and demanding | | | | rocks, some small drops, and may also require |
| whitewater. Many people take up the sport of | | | | maneuvering skills. The next grade may have medium |
| whitewater kayaking due to its nature, as a challenge. | | | | waves, and may even require a lot of maneuvering |
| This sport is very popular among those, who have a | | | | and paddling skills. Class 4 or the 4th grade of |
| great sense of adventure. | | | | whitewater kayaking is applied for whitewater, which |
| Whitewater kayaking has been around almost since | | | | has large waves and long rapids and for this, |
| the dawn of human kind. Of course, not in the same | | | | whitewater experience may be needed. Class 5 of |
| form, but it existed in the form of paddling on rivers, | | | | whitewater kayaking requires advanced whitewater |
| across lakes and on the oceans as well. Kayaks are | | | | experience, as these include large rocks, hazards and |
| most probably the latest in the evolution of paddling. | | | | maybe, a large drop. Class 6 or grade 6 is the most |
| They started off from rafts, catamarans and canoes. | | | | advanced stage of whitewater kayaking. Class 6 |
| All these evolved depending on the environment and | | | | rapids are very hazardous and dangerous, even for |
| the need of the people across the world. The kayak, | | | | experienced paddlers. Only experts should try |
| most likely originated from the Polar Regions. Earlier, | | | | anything at this level. Unless proper safety |
| kayaks were made of animal skins, stretched over | | | | precautions are taken, this sport can prove to be |
| wooden frames. Most modern ones, however, are | | | | fatal. |
| made from tough plastic that is very durable and a | | | | Whitewater kayaking is not only fun to take part in, |
| little more flexible. | | | | but it is also very exciting to watch! |