A
kayak is a small, narrow
boat which is propelled by means of a double-bladed paddle. The word kayak originates from the
Greenlandic Inuktitut language, where it is the word 'qajaq'. In the UK the term
canoe is often used when referring to a kayak. The traditional kayak has a covered deck and one or more cockpits, each seating one
paddler. The cockpit is sometimes covered by a
spray deck that prevents the entry of water from waves or spray and makes it possible for suitably skilled kayakers to
roll the kayak: that is, to capsize and right it without it filling with water or ejecting the paddler.