kayak travel competition

KAYAK Competitors: Ranking Its 12 Biggest Flight Comparison Rivals

KAYAK is a travel search engine on which users can browse and book flights as well as accommodations, activities, cars, trains, buses, and more.  

The company, which is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, was founded in 2003 by Paul English, Steve Hafner, and Terrell Jones.

The results displayed on KAYAK are scrapped from a variety of sources including airline APIs, global distribution systems (GDS), and directly from the websites of their partners. KAYAK, in fact, has contractual relationships with over 700 partners.

In 2019, KAYAK also launched a dedicated business travel product, which it unrolled across the globe two years later. Companies and employees can now handle all of their travel within KAYAK. Superiors can even approve trips via email and Slack on top of being able to see what their employees spend on travel.

KAYAK’s founders have previously started a variety of businesses in both travel and tech. For example, CEO Hafner previously co-founded Orbitz in 1999. However, many cite Paul English, who suffers from Bipolar, as one of the driving forces behind the firm’s success.

KAYAK revolutionized the flight booking industry by offering an easily comprehendible interface and features such as direct bookings within the website.  

The company, furthermore, scooped up many of its competitors along the way such as Swoodoo, Cheapflights.com, HotelsCombined, and more.

KAYAK itself went public in July 2012 after raising $229 million in venture funding. The company was delisted a year later because it was purchased by Booking Holdings (Priceline back then) for $1.8 billion.

Booking, unfortunately, doesn’t break down revenue figures for KAYAK, which employs over 1,000 people across multiple worldwide offices. KAYAK itself mostly makes money via click-based advertising and search ads.

The methodology with which competitors of KAYAK are ranked is based on publicly available information. Data points such as revenue, number of bookings, funding and valuation, the number of employees, and anything else that might be relevant will be considered.   

Most of the competitors on this list are primarily known as flight booking sites. However, the analysis is not limited to pure-play flight booking sites since KAYAK and many other travel sites now include activities or stays as well.

It has to be noted that this analysis should not be seen as an endorsement of either service. It is merely a summary of the competition that KAYAK faces as of today.

So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at the top 12 competitors of KAYAK.

1. Skyscanner

Skyscanner is likely KAYAK’s biggest competitor when it comes to sheer brand awareness as well as reach. Its platform is accessed by over 100 million people every month and is made available in more than 30 languages.

The site was launched as a result of Gareth Williams’ frustrations over antiquated airline booking systems. Back then, he even created dedicated Excel spreadsheets to track prices across a variety of sites.

Furthermore, the founders built Skyscanner next to their day jobs without raising any funding due to the ramifications of the tech bubble burst and 9/11. In 2005, two years after launching, they still only generated around $100 a day.

However, deals with various airlines and rebounding interest in the tech and travel sector eventually allowed them to go full-time. They raised close to $200 million in venture funding since then. In 2014, Skyscanner was acquired by Chinese travel giant Ctrip for £1.4 billion.

In 2019, before the Covid pandemic rattled global travel, Skyscanner generated over £330 million in revenue. The platform, which employs over 1,200 people, also enables travelers to book cars and hotels.

Source: Crunchbase , Skyscanner , Statista

2. Booking.com

Booking.com is one, if not the world’s largest travel-related site. It is available in 43 languages and offers and boasts 28 million accommodations. Additionally, customers can book cars, flights, and activities via the platform.

Booking.com was launched by university graduate Geert-Jan Bruinsma who derived the inspiration for launching the platform after visiting Hilton.com for the first time. His home country of Holland, at the time, simply didn’t offer any local options to book hotels online. His site, Bookings.nl, therefore became the first in the country to offer such options.

In 2000, he agreed to merge with another site called Bookings Online. The dot-com crash had wiped out many of the funding opportunities previously available to startups like his.

They then acquired the Booking.com domain name soon after. Priceline, after failed acquisition talks with Expedia, acquired Booking for $133 million in 2005 – a huge bargain in hindsight. Booking Holdings is now worth over $70 billion.

For most of its existence, Booking.com had been part of Priceline. However, in 2018, it rebranded into Booking Holdings, which now owns sites such as Kayak, OpenTable, RentalCars.com, Agoda, and many more.

In 2021, Booking Holdings, which unfortunately doesn’t break down income figures for its namesake site, generated $11 billion in revenue. Gross bookings were equal to $76.6 billion over that timespan. Booking.com itself employs over 15,000 people across the globe.

Source: Booking.com , Booking Holdings , Skift

3. Google Travel

Google Travel is the search giant’s dedicated travel booking platform on which users can search and compare prices across flights, stays, and more.

In 2010, Google acquired flight information software company ITA for $700 million. The purchase enabled them to launch Hotel Finder and Flights just a year after. In 2016, Google launched its Trips mobile app, which it rebranded into what we now know as Google Travel back in 2019.

Many were also worried that flight comparison sites such as KAYAK or Skyscanner would be severely affected by Google’s acquisition of ITA. In fact, KAYAK CEO Hafner has even publicly criticized Google and said that KAYAK would stop using ITA data to surface its results.   

And he certainly had good reason to do so: a search of ‘flights’ on Google now prominently features the search engine’s own Flights product above any other metasearch engine. Google, as a result, can leverage all of its existing traffic to promote its own product, which may not even be better than existing options out there.

This has also sparked antitrust concerns for which Google is now being investigated. As a result, Google has opted against disclosing any performance data for its Travel product to avoid adding fuel to the fire.

Source: Redeam , PhocusWire

Expedia is the second holding company on this list that’s dominating travel. Apart from the namesake Expedia.com platform, it also owns and operates Hotels.com, Vrbo, Hotwire, Travelocity, and many other brands.

In fact, the combined group now runs 200+ websites in 70 countries across the globe. Over 500 airlines, cruises, and car rental companies now work together with Expedia’s various properties.

The firm was created as a sub-division of Microsoft and was launched as an online travel agency with the purpose of being promoted on the firm’s MSN portal. Rich Barton, at the time, worked at Microsoft’s CD-ROM division and was responsible for creating travel guides. Three years after it launched, Expedia was spun out of Microsoft and went public on the Nasdaq stock exchange.

In 2003, Barry Diller’s IAC acquired a controlling stake in Expedia. Two years later, it spun off its travel division to create Expedia Group.

Today, the Expedia Group generated $8.6 billion (on gross bookings of $72.4 billion) in revenue. Much like Booking, it does not disclose revenue figures for Expedia.com. More than 22,000 people are now employed by the group.

Source: Expedia Group , Funding Universe

Kiwi, which started out as skypicker.com, claims that its proprietary algorithms are able to uncover the cheapest and best flight options across the entire industry.

For example, its Nomad product enables travelers to save time and money when planning trips to multiple destinations by scouting every possible travel combination. Additionally, its self-transfer hack enables customers to connect carriers that normally don’t work together.

The firm claims that it currently sells 70,000 airline seats – every day. In June 2022, it raised an additional $100 million in debt financing to take advantage of the reopening of the world. Three years prior, VC investors General Atlantic acquired a majority stake in Kiwi.

However, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. In early 2021, the firm drew attention by not responding to customer complaints regarding canceled flights due to Covid-19. Nonetheless, Kiwi.com remains one of the biggest companies in the sector, employing over 1,000 people across multiple offices.

Source: Crunchbase , Kiwi.com , PhocusWire

6. Trip.com

Trip.com Group is China’s largest travel site with close to 34,000 employees. Travelers can book anything from accommodations (hotels, houses, apartments, etc.), flights, trains, cars, tours, cruises, activities, and much more.

The site works together with over 480 airlines across 2,600 airports as well as 200 countries. Trip.com currently generates $3.1 billion in revenue on an annual basis. Transportation revenue, which is made up of cars, trains, and flights contributed $1.1 billion (which also includes Skyscanner).

Trip.com is actually not how the firm was named initially. In 2017, Ctrip purchased Trip.com for an undisclosed amount and rebranded into what it is currently known as two years later. The move was meant to signal the brand’s global ambitions.

Ctrip had previously dominated the Chinese market for over a decade. It, furthermore, became one of the first Chinese tech companies to be listed on a foreign stock exchange when it went public on the Nasdaq in 2003.

Source: Crunchbase , Trip.com

7. TripAdvisor

Most people will know TripAdvisor as a platform that features reviews across hotels, restaurants, airlines, and more. In fact, over one billion reviews have been published on the site to this date.

What many don’t know is that customers can, furthermore, book hotels, flights, or vacation rentals directly on the platform. This is made possible by TripAdvisor’s Instant Booking feature, which was launched back in 2014. 

Two years later, TripAdvisor doubled down on the airline portion of its booking feature by unveiling a new flight search platform as well as a more detailed airline review system. TripAdvisor now even recognizes its user’s most favorite airlines on a yearly basis.

Its Plus membership, furthermore, grants subscribers a variety of benefits including exclusive access to airline and hotel discounts.

TripAdvisor was acquired for $210 million by Expedia in 2004. Seven years after, TripAdvisor spun out from Expedia and became an independent company listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange.

The platform is now one of the biggest travel-related websites. It generates $902 million in annual revenue (most of it from advertising). The platform, which employs over 2,500 people, offers reviews on almost 9 million accommodations, restaurants, experiences, airlines, and cruises.

Source: TripAdvisor , Statista

Hopper is a travel platform that is primarily accessed via its mobile apps, which have been downloaded over 70 million times. The company claims that its search technology can save travelers an average of $65 per flight and $30 per hotel.

The app, furthermore, predicts future travel prices and can tell you exactly when the best time to book is. In recent times, Hopper has undergone a push into expanding its FinTech capabilities by launching features such as “Leave for Any Reason,” which enables travelers to leave a hotel they already checked in (with the cost being reimbursed by Hopper).

Hopper, furthermore, offers a B2B product named Hopper Cloud , which allows other companies to sell Hopper’s products. The firm’s stated goal, in fact, is to become a travel super app on which users can do anything from booking flights to getting inspired by new locations.

Investors certainly like the company’s approach as well. Hopper is currently valued at $5 billion and has raised over $633 million in funding. The firm, which employs over 1,300 people, grew revenues by over 300 percent in 2021 alone.

Source: Crunchbase , Hopper

Agoda is largely known as a platform on which travelers can compare and book accommodations such as hotels or long-term rentals. However, since 2019, the platform also surfaces deals for the best flights.

In the beginning, the product mostly surfaced results from Southeast Asian airlines but has since expanded to hundreds of airlines. Agoda, in an effort to become a full-stack travel platform, now even offers airport transfers.  

The firm’s focus on Southeast Asia has been rooted in its founder’s personal history. In 1994, Michael Kenny first arrived in Thailand to work for the Arcadia Hotel Group (now Hilton). As the internet began to take shape, he launched travel-related sites such as PlanetHoliday.com (1997) and PrecisionReservations.com (2003).

He then decided to merge those two businesses to create Agoda Ltd. To help him get the new company started, he recruited long-time friend and experienced online entrepreneur Rosenstein as a co-founder. A mere two years after launching, Agoda was acquired by Booking Holdings for an undisclosed amount.

Booking does currently not disclose revenue numbers of Agoda, which employs close to 5,000 people in 30 countries. Its app is available in 39 different languages on top of that.

Source: Agoda , Skift

10. momondo

momondo is a global travel search platform comparing prices across flights, hotels, activities, and car rentals.

It is, just like many other companies on this list, owned by Booking, which acquired the holding company behind momondo for $550 million in 2017. As a result of the acquisition, momondo was integrated into KAYAK’s operations.

However, momondo would remain an independent company and continue running its offices in Denmark, the U.K., and the U.S. (Boston). Booking and KAYAK have since taken advantage of momondo’s brand recognition but didn’t invest much into new product development.

Nevertheless, momondo continues to attract millions of monthly visitors across its country-specific sites.

Source: momondo , Skift

11. CheapOair

CheapOair was launched as a subsidiary of Fareportal that now powers a variety of other travel sites including OneTravel. The firm started out as a call center operation where travelers could book flights via phone.

CheapOair has since grown into one of the most popular sites to book flights in the United States. It has, furthermore, expanded into cars, hotels, and activities. The site even offers its own branded credit card, which provides customers with various rewards when booking via CheapOair.

Another key distinction is that CheapOair offers a dedicated phone line, for example, to resolve outstanding issues, which is powered by Fareportal. And even though founder Jain stepped down from his day-to-day involvement back in 2021, both CheapOair, as well as Fareportal, continue to be one of the biggest sites for booking flights.

Over 750 people are employed by CheapOair alone. The company remains in private ownership and is thus not disclosing revenue figures.

Source: CheapOair , Fareportal , Skift

12. Skiplagged

Skiplagged is a little different than the companies on this list. The site takes advantage of so-called ‘hidden city’ fares. For example, if you fly from New York to Los Angeles via Chicago, then you’d simply depart in Chicago. This is made possible because one-stop flights can often be cheaper than direct flights, thus providing customers with unique deals.

While the practice is perfectly legal, airlines hate it because they have to fly with empty seats and thus lose additional revenue. Skiplagged, as a result, has been subject to multiple legal battles.

In 2015, both Orbitz and United Airlines sued the company. While the latter’s case was dismissed, Skiplagged eventually settled with Orbitz. In recent times, Skiplagged has also been sued by Southwest Airlines for allegedly scraping its flight data and using its logo without permission. Skiplagged, in its defense, said it gets that data from Kiwi.

Apart from flights, travelers can also book cars and hotels while earning rewards for doing so. What’s even more impressive about the firm is that its founder, Aktarer Zaman, started the company at age 23 (while working as a software engineer at Amazon) and never took a cent of funding.

Source: CNN Business , Skift , Skiplagged

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Hi folks, Viktor checking in! Years of experience in various tech-related roles have led me to start this blog, which I hope provides you with as much enjoyment to read as I have writing the content.

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Last Updated on December 8, 2022 by Viktor Hendelmann

Google Flights vs. Kayak: Putting Their New When-to-Book Tools to the Test

We tried out two new online tools that claim to tell users the best time to book flights. Here are the upsides and downsides to both. 

By Sean Cudahy

September 13, 2023

This article was updated with new information on September 14, 2023.

There’s no shortage of advice out there on when you should book a flight . Analysts and experts have addressed everything from the age-old question of whether there’s a best day of the week to search  to the matter of choosing the cheapest day of the week to fly (hint: try the middle of the week).

Recently, though, some new online tools have emerged that purport to get a lot more specific, personalizing suggestions on whether you should book your desired flight itinerary now or wait for a time when prices are expected to be lower. 

Just a few weeks ago, Google added such a feature to its Google Flights portal.

The site, which already allows users to quickly search for flights and prices across many airlines—and even buy tickets if those users want to—now aims to answer a new question: When should you take the plunge and book?

The tool is somewhat similar to something rolled out in June by online travel platform Kayak, which claims to help users find the cheapest airfare by, among other things, advising customers whether to book right away or wait until later.

We tried out both tools. Here’s how they work.

Google Flights' new tool for finding the cheapest time to book

For some time now, Google Flights has had a function that tells you, essentially, whether you’re getting a good deal or not as you consider a flight.

When you select an itinerary, the feature reveals whether your airfare is high, low, or typical for that route and date, based on data trends over time. 

But what are you supposed to do with that information? Just because airfare is high doesn’t mean it’s going to drop. But, on the other hand, it might—after all, airfare is notoriously volatile.

The site’s new tool is designed to predict where prices might be headed, based on the history of fares for certain routes. 

Let’s say we're booking a trip for November from Washington, D.C., to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

As we enter dates, not only does airfare pop up, but check out the disclaimer at the bottom of the screen. 

According to the last line on the screen, prices are "currently low" and the "cheapest time to book is usually now, until October 27." Remarkably, the latter date is just 14 days before the departure date we set. 

You can enlarge the price history section for a bit more information, and you'll find that, according to Google's data, the least expensive airfare for “similar trips” to St. Thomas usually is found 1 to 3 months prior to takeoff.

So, if you're comfortable relying on Google's data, you can feel pretty confident about booking this flight now, knowing you're getting a comparatively low fare. 

Of course, in order for the service to be truly effective, it must also advise travelers on when they should wait to book an airfare that's currently high but expected to go lower. 

Here’s an example we found for a summer 2024 trip from Los Angeles to London. Obviously, we’d be the early bird in booking this ticket, which right now would go for $1,089 round trip, per Google Flights.

Google Flights says you’d be better off waiting, though. How long? 

The cheapest time to book, Google Flights found, is typically between December 12 and March 11 (or 4 to 7 months before departure), when you can expect prices to be about $171 cheaper on average.

In a case like this, you might want to avoid booking the flight now, and instead turn on Google’s price alert emails so you can closely monitor fare fluctuations.

The downside

Unfortunately, Google does not have the same level of data available for every route and itinerary. Right now, the company says it’s only offering the new timing tool for searches “with reliable trend data.”

We found many, many search results where Google did not offer advice on whether to book.

For instance, Google Flights notes that the $395 price tag for this spring trip from Los Angeles to Los Cabos, Mexico, is “high” for an economy ticket, and the search engine supplies the “typical” range for such an itinerary.

However, Google doesn’t offer a suggestion on when might be a better time to book the flight. 

That said, Google Flights does provide some general guidelines related to timing. The company suggests booking domestic flights (outside of peak summer and holiday periods) between 54 and 78 days ahead of departure to get the lowest average prices.

For Europe, Google says your best bet is 72 days out or more.

Kayak’s Best Time to Travel tool

Earlier this summer, Kayak rolled out its own "Best Time to Travel" tool. 

Via the new feature the online travel agency will, first, help you find the cheapest month, week, and days to fly, then will recommend whether to book your travel now or later.

Let’s say we’re taking a hypothetical trip from New York City to London’s Heathrow Airport. You’ll start by plugging in those cities and airports at Kayak.

Kayak then tells us that February is the cheapest upcoming month for travel to London.

However, let’s say you'd prefer to go in March for an early spring trip. To do this, Kayak needs you to "nail down your dates."

Kayak then displays some March price trends, and recommends the cheapest days to fly that month, based on that data.

Once the dates are set, flight itineraries will pop up. In this scenario, the cheapest option appears to be aboard Virgin Atlantic for $429, round trip.

While the flight options load, so does Kayak’s recommendation on whether to book now or wait. In this case, Kayak recommends booking now based on its analysis that fares are “unlikely to decrease within 7 days.”

During our test searches of many different itineraries, it wasn’t clear whether Kayak’s recommendations to “buy now” are based on data that takes into account periods beyond the next 7 days. Could the fare go down in, say, 2 or 3 weeks? Or a couple months from now?

We reached out to Kayak, and a company rep confirmed that the tool does indeed only evaluate the next 7 days. Obviously, that’s a significant limitation for far-out flights. 

The Kayak rep told us the company is working on an update to the tool for holiday bookings; that update is expected to launch in the coming days—though it’s not clear whether the tool will make when-to-book recommendations for the holidays based on data beyond a 7-day period, either.

What's more, across numerous searches we were not able to find any examples of Kayak recommending that we wait to purchase a flight. The site didn't tell us to "buy now" every time, however; in many cases we got a disclaimer saying Kayak is "still gathering data" for a particular route. 

Takeaways on new flight timing tools

Having tried out these new products from Google Flights and Kayak, we've gathered some key takeaways to keep in mind when booking flights. 

Google Flights vs. Kayak

Google Flights’ “when to book” product appears to get more specific with date ranges and trend data on when you should book—provided Google has data for the route and itinerary you're interested in. As of this writing, a lot of routes still don't have what Google calls "reliable trend data" allowing the new tool to give specific recommendations on the best time to book a flight to get the cheapest fare. So in many flight searches, users will have to rely on more generalized suggestions when it comes to timing flight purchases.  

Compared to Google Flights, Kayak seems to offer booking advice for a wider (though certainly not a complete) range of itineraries. But Kayak's timing recommendations are based on an evaluation of data for the next 7 days only, which obviously presents limitations for trips planned far in advance. Plus, we had a difficult time finding examples of cases in which Kayak actually recommends waiting to book a flight, raising questions about the tool's usefulness. (Admittedly, our searches were undertaken during the early autumn, when fares do tend to be lower overall.)

It’s not an exact science

Airfare experts caution that these tools, while helpful, are not perfect since they attempt to forecast pricing for something that can fluctuate from one day—or even one hour—to the next.

“These tools are definitely handy, especially for somebody that doesn’t travel often,” said Katy Nastro, spokesperson and travel expert at Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights).

If you're unfamiliar with the ups and downs that airfares are subject to, you might welcome some data-driven assistance. But as you become a more seasoned traveler, Nastro says, you'll want to regard the advice as "a guideline, not a definitive.”

She sees these tools as additional sources of information travelers can have at their disposal as they decide whether—and when—to book.

Check these tools, but book directly with the airline

For that reason, it may be worth checking your itinerary on both Google Flights and Kayak to see whether they say it's a good time to book, then go compare prices on the airline website.

Booking directly with the airline is sometimes cheaper and can present fewer obstacles if you need to make an itinerary change later on.

And don’t forget: If you do decide to book and later find a better deal, there are often ways to cancel and rebook at a lower price.

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Understanding kayak cross: What it is and how it works

• 1 What is kayak cross?
• 2 Kayak cross rules and regulations
• 3 Essential kayak cross equipment
• 4 Kayak cross: how to get started
• 5 Kayak cross tips for success
• 6 Notable kayak cross competitions

Evy Leibfarth at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC

© Robert Snow / Red Bull Content Pool

What is kayak cross?

Evy Leibfarth at ICF Canoe Slalom & Wildwater Canoeing World Championships

© Filip Nagy / Red Bull Content Pool

Kayak cross rules and regulations

• Both hands must be on the paddle at all times.
• Competitors may make contact with another kayaker’s boat to push them offline, but they cannot ram into other racer’s bodies.
• Using a paddle to prevent a competitor from moving forward is prohibited.
• Paddles may not have sharp edges and all equipment, including life jackets and helmets, must be compliant with canoe slalom rules.
• Breaking the start is grounds for disqualification.
• Missing a buoy on the course or passing a buoy on the wrong side may also result in disqualification.
• Completing the eskimo roll within the designated boundaries is required of all competitors.

Essential kayak cross equipment

Kayak cross: how to get started.

• When you’re in the water, position your body against the front deck of the kayak to avoid any hazards. You should place your paddle parallel to your kayak, and you should lift your hands out of the water.
• Once your paddle is as high as you can get it, rotate it so it’s perpendicular to your kayak. The goal is to get the outer blade of your paddle to the water’s surface. You should extend your bottom arm as far as possible, and you should lean your head against the shoulder of your outer arm.
• With your paddle in the above support position and your head down, snap your hips to initiate the roll. Your hips will do most of the driving, though you should also apply pressure to your paddle.
• To land upright, keep your gaze in the direction of the water’s surface and your paddle blade. This should complete your roll.

Kayak cross tips for success

Notable kayak cross competitions.

The 2021 ICF Canoe Slalom & Wildwater Canoeing World Championships

Take whitewater paddling to the extreme with kayak cross

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Reaching Extremes: Idaho’s North Fork Championship

Idaho is home to one of the most extreme whitewater competitions in the world, but with more than 3,100 miles of navigable whitewater it’s not hard to believe. In just its fifth year, the North Fork Championship has become the premiere extreme kayak race on the planet. This competition on Idaho’s world renowned North Fork of the Payette River is designed to show off the talents of the best kayakers in the world on some of the rowdiest whitewater in the world. This weekend gives you a front row seat to these amazing athletes, killer Idaho scenery, and a chance to experience a wilder side of the Gem State.

The North Fork Championship takes place just 35 miles north of Boise along the Payette River so checking out this competition is as easy as loading up a cooler and the car and heading out for a great day along this gorgeous whitewater. Camping out for the weekend in Crouch is also a great bet and means you’ll have more chances to mingle with these world-class competitors. If you’re thinking about snagging a hotel room or a camp spot check out this list of suggested locations that will keep you close to the action and the weekend’s Whitewater Festival.

So what’s this competition all about? Check out this breakdown of the events and start planning your NFC weekend.

June 14 – Kelly’s Whitewater Park, Cascade Community Paddle and Movie 6:30 PM

NFC is hosting a community paddle and movie showing at Kelly’s Whitewater Park in Cascade. This event is open to anyone who would like to paddle with the athletes without the challenge of Class V rapids.

June 16 – Expert Division Qualifier Two Miles north of Banks 10:30 AM

The first kayak event of the competition is the Expert Division Qualifier race. Athletes paddle through two massive rapids named Juicer and Crunch in a sprint where the fastest time wins.  The top five competitors from this race receive an invitation to the main event (Elite Division) on Saturday. Spectators should swing in to the newly remodeled Banks Café on the way and grab a hearty breakfast before the action. Banks is the hub of the whitewater community along the Payette River. It is where the North Fork and the South Fork of the Payette River meet, making it a busy location for whitewater enthusiasts of all disciplines.

June 16 – Melt Awards Film and Photo Festival Egyptian Theatre, Boise Doors open at 6: 00 PM, films begin at 7:00 PM Tickets: $12 in advance, $13 at the door

Boise is the official site for the NFC kickoff party with the Melt Awards Film and Photo Festival on Thursday night. Grab dinner at one of the incredible food options in downtown Boise, like Fork, Bittercreek Alehouse, or Saint Lawrence Gridiron before heading over to the Egyptian Theatre . A ticket to this party means you’ll be able to check out spectacular kayaking films and photography which are sure to inspire your inner river enthusiast. Guests are also encouraged to vote for a “People’s Choice Award” in both the film and photo categories, so make sure you pick your favorites.

June 17 -BoaterX Race Big Eddy Campground, mile post 90 on Highway 55 3:00 PM

Friday brings the athletes and spectators back up to the river and into the beautiful mountains of Idaho for the rest of the weekend. The BoaterX Race takes place up at the Big Eddy Campground along Highway 55. This race consists of heats of six riders going head to head in an all out brawl down the explosive S-Turn rapid. Spectators can sit on the banks of the river just feet from the BoaterX and watch the carnage unfold.

June 17 -18 NFC Whitewater Festival Weilmunster Park, Crouch

Everyone is invited to Crouch to enjoy the NFC Whitewater Festival in Weilmunster Park on Friday and Saturday. Food, music, spirits, and outdoor games make for great times in the park. As the sun sets on the beautiful Garden Valley, join in the campfire conversations with outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world.

June 18 -Elite Division Mile Post 86 on Highway 55 1:00 PM

On the final day of NFC action, the top 30 athletes will compete on Jacob’s Ladder – the fiercest rapid on the North Fork. Everyone is invited to come to the river and sit on the water’s edge to watch this amazing competition unfold. Beginning at 1 pm, the world’s best paddlers will launch off the NFC Red Bull Ramp into Jacob’s Ladder and head down Golf Course Rapids to compete for the title of King of the North Fork Championship!

Following the Elite Division competition, is the Stoke Float event. Young and old alike are are invited to take part in this float where 100+ paddlers kayak their way down to Banks on the North Fork. Those that have kayaked the North Fork and feel safe are invited for this stretch, but don’t worry if you’re not a Class V kayaker, there are two other sections of river with easy access points on the South Fork Payette, and Main Payette where many other paddlers will be ready to ride.

June 18- NFC Whitewater Festival Awards Weilmunster Park, Crouch 6:00 PM

The NFC Whitewater Festival Awards in Crouch are the perfect conclusion to a weekend of wild competition. Awards for the Main Event and the peer voted award, the Catshead’s Award, are handed out and then the celebration continues with music, food, and great company.

• Plan for the day. If you’re making the North Fork Championship a day trip make sure you bring water, snacks, chairs or something comfy to sit on, and plenty of sunscreen.
• This truly is riverside viewing.  The North Fork Championship is unique in the fact that the public’s access to this event is right on the side of the North Fork. Make sure to bring shoes you are comfortable navigating rocks in. It’s also a good idea to bring your swimsuit in case you’d like to take a dip in some of the calmer waters near Banks.
• Parking is serious business.  Parking for NFC is typically along the highway. Please be patient and safe and look for volunteers to help steer you in the right direction. There are numerous pullouts along Highway 55 which are used for parking during this event, so keep your eyes peeled for people walking across the road.
• Enjoy the water.  If you feel inspired by these kayakers you might think about enjoying a whitewater raft experience in Banks. Check out Cascade Raft and Kayak, Bear Valley Rafting, and Idaho Whitewater Unlimited to get you started.

Visit Idaho is a proud sponsor of the North Fork Championship.

Published on May 19, 2016

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The 7 Best Kayaks of 2024

The Best Kayaks for 2024

Looking for the best kayak? After researching scores of options, we bought 12 of the market's top models to test side-by-side on the water. Primarily floating on the rivers and lakes of the Tahoe area, we were able to test the boats on flat water, in choppy conditions, and on flowing rivers. We spent hours gliding through the water, analyzing each craft's stability and how well they maneuvered through different situations. We analyzed the comfort features as well as the construction quality and took the time to determine which are best for lazy calm days on the lake and which can truly perform when the rapids start to rumble. After six years of testing, we happily give you our bias-free recommendations to help you on your journey.

We'd love to help you find the best water gear to outfit your next paddling adventure. Need accessories? We have hands-on reviews of the our favorite kayak paddles , the top-rated PFDs , and the best dry bags . We've also got a write-up on the best paddles for different water crafts. Not sure if you're ready to store and haul a big kayak? Check out our reviews of the best inflatable kayaks and the top inflatable SUPs for a more portable way to get out on the water.

Top 12 Kayaks - Test Results

Best overall kayak, wilderness systems pungo 120.

• Glide and Tracking 8.0
• Stability 8.0
• Maneuverability 7.0
• Ease of Transport 6.0
• Comfort 8.0
• Construction Quality 8.0

The Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 is a time-tested classic, excelling in almost all our testing categories. It stands out for its stability and maneuverability while retaining decent tracking and glide. With a 20-inch cockpit length and padded seat, it's also one of the most comfortable options we tested. The Pungo is a highly versatile and comfy vessel popular amongst the company's armada of boats because of its broad paddling diversity. Many boats are either short and wide or long and narrow, forcing the user to pick between maneuverability and tracking. Wilderness Systems has successfully created a high-quality hybrid crossover that can competently float through gentle currents and cruise across glassy lakes. With all the extra features this boat has to offer, it is easy to see why it scored so well in our tests.

Although the Pungo 120 is slightly lighter than average, the bulky nature of the design makes it difficult to carry solo. The storage hatch cover requires a bit of care and attention over time and is a slight departure from the rest of the boat's incredibly durable construction. And while expensive, the price is more than justified by its versatility. This multifaceted boat allows for different styles of paddling in different environments. If you want a one-boat quiver, this is a high-value craft. But if the price is too steep for your budget, consider one of our more affordable top picks like the Old Town Vapor 10 . Although it's not the fastest, it's stable, comfortable, and comes at a fraction of the price.

Read more: Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 review

Best Sit-on-Top Kayak

Wilderness systems tarpon 105.

• Glide and Tracking 7.5
• Stability 9.0
• Maneuverability 6.0
• Ease of Transport 5.0
• Comfort 9.0

The Wilderness Systems Tarpon 105 builds upon the well-established and ever-popular Tarpon sit-on-top design series. This maneuverable kayak offers excellent storage, comfort, and functionality. The exceptional stability and open design make hopping on and off easy. It's also self-draining, so it doesn't collect pools of water in the cockpit, which is much more comfortable. The Tarpon has higher functionality than your average sit-on-top kayak, and it was an easy pick over the other models we tested.

On the downside, the Tarpon is one of the more expensive kayaks we tested. Still, the solid all-around handling and the number of extra bells and whistles it includes justify the price. Like its sister vessel, the Aspire 105 , the Tarpon's versatility makes the price point all the more palatable. This well-rounded kayak can perform the function of multiple boat designs. If you are looking to save some bucks and don't mind more weight, the Ocean Kayak Malibu 11.5 is a versatile sit-on-top kayak that comes at a more attractive price.

Read more: Wilderness Systems Tarpon 105 review

Great Value for a Sit-On-Top Model

Ocean kayak malibu 11.5.

• Ease of Transport 4.5
• Comfort 6.0

The Malibu is one of the slightly heavier contenders we tested, but the trade-off for this is superior stability. You can quickly get in and out of this boat on the beach or in the water, making it a fun and safe choice for younger and older paddlers alike. You also can't beat the price-to-value comparison. It offers various usages, from surfing waves to fishing to sunbathing, all in one durable and comfortable package. If you're looking for a lightweight model that's easy to carry, the portable Oru Beach LT is an excellent option to consider.

Read more: Ocean Kayak Malibu 11.5 review

Best Bang for the Buck

Old town vapor 10.

• Glide and Tracking 6.5
• Stability 7.0
• Ease of Transport 7.0
• Comfort 7.0
• Construction Quality 7.0

Unsure if you want to take the big plunge on an expensive, high-end boat? Old Town has created a budget option to get you out on the water, to have fun and enjoy the wonderful world of boating without putting a huge hole in your wallet. The Old Town Vapor 10 is an excellent beginner's boat at a significantly lower price than many other sit-in models. With its 10-foot length and flat bottom hull, this boat is maneuverable, sturdy, and forgiving for the beginner paddler. A large cockpit makes for easy entering and exiting on the beach, and the pointed bow helps cut through waves and track across the water, which we found helpful in windy conditions.

The Vapor is one of the less expensive boats on the market. To make that happen, Old Town made some sacrifices. For instance, this kayak is not very hydrodynamic. If you are hoping to go somewhere fast, there are better options available. Another aspect that also stands out is the seat's lack of padding and adjustability (especially if you have ever sat inside one of the more comfortable options). With that in mind, the no-frills approach also eliminates the number of parts that may potentially break. We feel this boat is worth considering if you want a decent quality kayak that is half the price (or less) of some other award winners. Another affordable model you may want to consider is the Ocean Kayak Malibu 11.5 . This comfortable sit-on-top model includes more useful features like an adjustable backrest and seat pads.

Read more: Old Town Vapor 10 review

Impressive Lightweight Performance

Eddyline skylark.

• Glide and Tracking 8.5
• Stability 6.5
• Maneuverability 8.5
• Ease of Transport 8.5
• Construction Quality 8.5

The Eddyline Skylark stands out in part for its ABS construction which balances the durability of a plastic kayak with the look and performance of a lightweight composite kayak. Weighing in as one of the lightest boats we tested, we could load the Skylark onto our cars solo. Even more impressively, despite being lightweight, this kayak still has robust footpegs and handles, two dry storage hatches, seat adjustability, and padding. If you want a high-performing vessel that won't weigh you down, this one is our favorite — if you can afford it.

The Skylark is stable and one of the easier kayaks to maneuver. In addition, its cockpit is designed to accommodate a spray skirt, so advanced users can use this to keep themselves dry. If water does get inside, the sealed chambers ensure that it won't reach your storage hatches, and this can reduce the chance of sinking if the kayak capsizes. It should be noted that if the Skylark takes on water, the lack of a drain plug makes it difficult to drain. For a self-raining model, check out what the versatile sit-on-top Wilderness Systems Tarpon 105 offers.

Read more: Eddyline Skylark review

Best Glide and Tracking

Dagger stratos 12.5 s.

• Glide and Tracking 9.0
• Stability 5.0
• Ease of Transport 6.5
• Comfort 7.5
• Construction Quality 9.0

The Dagger Stratos 12.5 S is an exceptionally well-designed boat, with its length and hull engineered to deliver an efficient glide and cut through glassy or turbulent waters. If desired, the cockpit accommodates a spray skirt, and — skill-dependent — the Dagger 12.5 can navigate class III whitewater. With two dry deck hatches and additional on-deck storage, this kayak is ready for multi-day adventures if you are.

Not all paddlers are ready or want to take their paddling to that level. This kayak is more than most people need for hitting the water for an occasional casual float, and it may cost more than you want to pay for such an activity. Unless you aspire to explore great distances or intend to navigate ocean or river currents, other more stable kayaks can get you floating for much less money. So, if you are merely looking to get out on calm waters, the Old Town Vapor 10 can help you do just that without the high price.

Read more: Dagger Stratos 12.5 S review

Best Portable Model

Oru beach lt.

The Oru Beach LT took top honors in our review of top inflatable kayaks with its light, portable, and space-saving origami-style design. For boaters with limited storage space, who drive small cars, or that rely on public transportation, the 26-pound Beach LT is a clear winner. It is a luxury to store a boat in a closet, grab it by the shoulder strap, and be able to transport it without a fancy rack or straps. Larger, rigid options like the standard sit-on-top or sit-inside kayak this review focuses on will never afford this luxury. Within minutes of setup, you could be on the water in the Oru getting your paddling fix. If you want to go even smaller, the 17-pound Oru Lake makes hiking your boat to a more remote location a true reality.

Although there is so much we love about this setup, some minor design flaws affect performance. Limited bracing points and a large cockpit decrease the stability of the Beach LT and can make for a wetter ride on windy days. Also, the boat's light weight is apparent in the wind — it can get wind-cocked and blown around without a skeg or rudder to help it keep its heading (our tester found that the Oru is much less wind-affected than other inflatable models, but it can't compare to the hard shell models.) If you bail in open water, this kayak is harder to self-rescue, so it should be kept in sheltered conditions. The Beach also doesn't come cheap. But if you have limited space, this may be your best option to get out on the water as often and with as little hassle as possible. Those who want a lightweight model with better performance should check out the Eddyline Skylark .

Read more: Oru Beach LT review

Compare Products

Why Trust GearLab

We tested these kayaks over multiple seasons and in various conditions, predominantly in Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra rivers and lakes. We categorized our testing data and observations into key performance metrics, attempting to quantify those metrics when feasible to be as consistent and objective as possible. For example, we counted the number of strokes it took to make a 180-degree turn to test maneuverability and measured the distance traveled from full speed to a complete stop to measure glide and tracking. We also brought together a diverse group of testers of all different sizes, strengths, and experience levels to help gauge more subjective metrics like comfort, stability, and maneuverability.

• Glide and Tracking (30% of overall score weighting)
• Stability (20% weighting))
• Maneuverability (15% weighting)
• Ease of Transport (15% weighting)
• Comfort (10% weighting)
• Construction Quality (10% weighting)

Our diverse testing team is led by expert paddler Sara James . The University of Leeds Kayaking Club occupied much of Sara's focus during her undergraduate years, where she was quickly thrown into competitions for a wide variety of kayak-based disciplines. For the next decade, Sara continued to kayak and travel in search of whitewater from the UK to Uganda, Nepal to New Zealand, and Iceland to India. She finally settled in California, USA, and has been exploring the rivers and lakes of the Sierras for over a decade. Creek boating, touring kayaking, stand-up paddle board, ripples, or raging rapids: if it floats and involves a paddle, Sara loves it all.

Dan Kramer brings a wealth of paddling, rafting, and marine experience to this review as well. He teaches Swiftwater Rescue at Lake Tahoe Community College , in addition to teaching beginner and intermediate rafting classes and at whitewater guide schools. He is also a licensed Merchant Mariner with the US Coast Guard and captains sightseeing and watersports boats on Lake Tahoe in the summer.

Wear Your PFD — A PFD provides buoyancy and helps you stay afloat in water, reducing the risk of drowning, especially if you are injured, tired, or unable to swim. This could save your life. The US Coast Guard requires you to carry an approved personal floatation device (PFD) for each passenger and mandates that paddlers under 13 must always wear a PFD. Regulations vary by location, so check with local agencies for additional requirements.

Choose Appropriate Locations and Conditions — The kayak models we review here are appropriate for recreational use on lakes and flatwater rivers in calm conditions with no whitecaps. Most do not accommodate a spray skirt (which keeps waves out but requires training to use safely) or integrate enough flotation to withstand severe conditions. Many of the sit-in models do not have separate bulkheads nor come with float bags; therefore, if they capsize, they could easily flood and sink. Consider your environment and prepare appropriately.

Analysis and Test Results

We chose some of the top models on the market to undergo a rigorous testing process on rivers and lakes in the Lake Tahoe region. The goal was to find out which ones were worthy of an award. We determined which performed best in each metric, assigning a weighted score to each model. We then added the scores up to assign winners. Our goal is to give you an excellent resource to help you decide which kayak to buy .

You can expect to encounter a wide range of prices when shopping for a recreational kayak, as a boat's price is mainly determined by the materials, quality of its design, seating system, and the other extra features included. We considered all these factors during our testing but never considered price or value as a performance metric during testing. That said, we understand that not everyone can purchase the most expensive boat with all the best features and latest technologies, so we try to provide a range and highlight high-value products that can save you some bucks while still performing well.

The Eddyline Skylark outperformed all the kayaks overall and in several individual metrics. However, the Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 trailed close behind AND is offered at a more competitive price point. Our favorite budget options are the Old Town Vapor and Ocean Kayak Malibu 11.5 — while they score a bit lower, the sacrifices in performance are relatively minor. Very economical options are also available, but they can be several steps down in performance compared to the premium models. Another consideration is durability. The Dagger Stratos , Ocean Kayak Malibu, Perception Tribe 11.5 , and Perception Hangtime , as well as the Wilderness Systems Pungo and Tarpon , are all built with thicker, more durable plastic than the cheaper options tested. They will likely last longer and may offer a better value over time.

Glide and Tracking

Our test experts paddled each kayak in our lineup in a 50-meter sprint across flat water. We calculated the average of three timed tests for better reliability. We also collated observations and feedback on how easy keeping each boat in a straight line felt. For kayaks that had a rudder, we tested this with the rudder both in and out. Glide was tested by measuring the distance each boat moved in a smooth continuous motion before coming to a halt. Our testers used up to eight strokes to get the kayak up to speed and then stopped paddling once they reached a marker buoy on the water. We then measured the distance from the buoy to where they stopped gliding and came to a stop. This helped us determine which boat and hull designs shed water the best to allow the boats to move the most effortlessly and efficiently.

Thanks to its hull shape, length, and drop-down skeg, the Dagger Stratos 12.5 S glides exceptionally well, keeping track over long distances with minimal effort. The Eddyline Skylark and Hobie Mirage Compass trail in a close second for this metric, with the other longer boat designs like the Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 and Old Town Loon 120 also excelling at staying on track and gliding efficiently.

Models with rigid, pronounced multi-chine , V-shaped hulls, like the Eddyline Skylark , Ocean Kayak Malibu 11.5 and Perception Tribe 11.5 , track well and help the boat get the most out of their glide. In contrast, kayaks like the Jackson Staxx and the Wilderness Tarpon 105 lose some glide due to their wider, flatter bottoms, which pushes across the water's surface instead of slicing through it.

Having to deal with an upside-down kayak is not much fun, and ultimately the goal is to keep upright on the water. Most of the kayaks we selected for this lineup are aimed at the recreational touring market and are designed to be stable and easy to paddle. However, some boats excelled in this task more than others.

The wider kayaks scored higher in terms of stability, with the Perception Hangtime , Hobie Mirage Compass , and Wilderness Systems Tarpon proving the most difficult to tip over. The Jackson Staxx also performed very well; that said, although wider than most kayaks, the slightly higher seat position can make users a bit more vulnerable to the wobbles, particularly around moving currents.

The central third of the Dagger Stratos hull is flat, enhancing its stability. However, its narrow width and V-shaped ends make it prone to feel more tippy when it's sitting on flat water (primary stability). When on edge (secondary stability), the kayak feels stable and easy to control, and it could be said that, like a road bike, it is most stable at speeds and when dynamically moving.

Despite its smaller size, Eddyline Skylark is surprisingly steady even when paddled in gentle currents. This can be attributed to the relatively large surface area of the flat hull, which gives it excellent primary stability. However, if you accidentally get this kayak on edge, expect to fall in, as it lacks good secondary stability. It's just not designed to operate this way. If your hobby involves moving around in your kayak, say fishing or playing kayak games, or if you have a fidgety dog or child on your lap, you'll want to consider a more stable option such as the Hobie Mirage Compass or Perception Hangtime . Or better yet, consider a two-person option.

Maneuverability

We wanted to see how easily we could make a controlled series of directional changes in each boat. First, we determined how many sweeping paddle strokes were required for each boat to complete a 360-degree turn from a standstill. Next, we set up a short slalom course to see how quickly each boat responded to a zigzagging snaking course and multiple turns.

The shorter kayaks are generally easier to move around; size helps the Eddyline Skylark and Wilderness Systems Aspire 105 make sharp turns in small spaces. These kayaks also excel in this test due to their flatter hull shapes. On the other hand, the more V-shaped hulled boats like the Old Town Loon , Perception Tribe , and Jackson Staxx are noticeably more sluggish when turning around and require extra effort to make tighter turns.

Many kayaks have a combination of hull types. The Old Town Vapor and Dagger Stratos have a V-shape for their hull's front and back thirds and a flatter central third. This flat-ish central hull makes maneuvering easier across currents or eddy lines if you're on a river. Despite being long, the Stratos excels in its maneuverability in moving currents. Expert paddlers enjoyed surfing the Stratos on glassy waves and paddling across dynamic currents. For those that enjoy rock gardening, the Stratos is the perfect playful friend for an expert in this dynamic environment.

Retracting the rudder can further improve the maneuverability of the Dagger Stratos , Hobie Mirage Compass , and the Wilderness System Aspire 105 .

When considering maneuverability, we also evaluated how easy it is to re-right and empty an upturned kayak. Self-rescue may be essential if you're out in open water and far away from land. Some sit-on-top kayaks have self-draining holes, making this task much simpler. Others require a bilge pump (and some practiced skills) to re-enter, a few can accommodate a spray skirt, and those that have mastered a kayaker's roll can re-right themselves.

If you're fortunate enough to be close enough to land to haul your kayak to the side, you can tackle the task of emptying it there. But unless you pre-plan and add floatation bags to your kayak, hundreds of liters of water are heavy to move around and will take some time to empty. Some basic techniques and a well-positioned drain plug will make this task quicker and less tiresome.

The sit-on-top models are the easiest to re-right, particularly the Ocean Kayak Malibu and Wilderness Systems Tarpon due to the sensible handle positioning. The sit-inside kayaks are more difficult as these take on water quickly and can swiftly become a sinking hazard if you don't attend to them.

Ease of Transport

This is one of those things that you may not think much about until it's time to load your boat on or off your vehicle roof, carry it to and from water access points, or portage it. However, since you have to carry your boat every time you use it, it's a critical aspect to consider. You may not want an overly cumbersome kayak that you can't carry by yourself without the assistance of a cart or friend — no matter how nice it is. To test this, we looked at each boat's weight, width, and length and the location and design of its carrying handles.

The weight of the boats we tested range from the 43-pound Eddyline Skylark to the hefty 83-pound Hobie Mirage Compass . But this doesn't tell the whole story: the width and length also play a big part in how easy or difficult it is to carry a boat, how well it will fit onto or into your vehicle, and if it will fit in your storage space. While you consider how much weight you want to haul around, also lay out the length and width of the boat you're considering using a measuring tape to ensure it'll fit where you want it to.

Almost all the boats we tested have bow and stern handles; however, the quality and comfort varied greatly. The Jackson Staxx , Tarpon , and Pungo offer the most robust design to compensate for their extra weight. The Staxx, Tarpon, and Perception Tribe 11.5 also offer side handles on the port and starboard sides right by the seats, which we found particularly helpful when hauling these kayaks around. Although the Hobie Compass has handles positioned on the side, the shallow depth of these handles gives them little functional use when this heavy vessel.

The Tarpon , Pungo , Tribe 11.5 , and Malibu 11.5 all come with replaceable stern skid plates. These take the brunt of knicks and scratches if you need to pull your boat behind you on the ground.

No one wants to be uncomfortable when enjoying the activities they love. Comfort is a critical component to consider when you're sitting in a kayak for hours. There are many types of seats, cushions, back bands, footpegs, and knee or thigh braces that provide stability, control, and a smooth and comfortable ride. Some vessels go above and beyond to ensure you don't spend your whole trip wishing to escape your boat because your back is aching or your feet are falling asleep.

We analyzed the posture, user-friendliness, and comfort of each boat's foot and thigh bracing systems and seats. The Old Town Loon , Jackson Staxx , and Wilderness System Tarpon 105 , Pungo 120 , and Aspire 105 are options with excellent seating and bracing systems, wide-open cockpits for ease of access, and adjustable features for personalized comfort. The Staxx is also notable for the amount of legroom — something taller users really appreciated — and the slightly raised seat that helps keep your bottom dry.

The premium outfitting in the Dagger Stratos makes it more comfortable than your average touring kayak; however, the smaller cockpit size means that entry and exit are more awkward for those who are less agile or have longer legs. Larger sizes are available, but if you are looking for some good lounging, the Stratos is not the ticket. The Hobie Mirage Compass caters to the comforts of paddlers, particularly as the option to pedal rather than paddle can relieve the stress of tired arms. It is also available with numerous additional extras, such as a sunshade, fishfinder, camo package, and turbo fins, all to enhance the user's experience.

But comfort doesn't come without a cost, and the comfortable Hobie Compass will cost you significantly more than introductory-level models like the Old Town Vapor . The cushioning in the Vapor is basic, with little adjustability in the seat. This is fine for an hour or less of paddling, but if you love spending time on the water, you'll want to add cushions or spring for a more supportive — and expensive — boat. In addition to the higher price tag, super comfortable models typically weigh more.

Construction Quality

The way a boat is designed and manufactured and the material it is constructed from are key attributes indicating the durability of a craft. Generally, these kayaks can take a licking when transported or paddled. You can drag them over beaches, paddle them around and over rocks, or expose them to the sun for long periods without fearing they will deteriorate quickly (though you should avoid all of these things if you want to maximize the longevity and quality of your vessel). Boats can be manufactured with several materials, but the primary two used in recreational versions are high-density roto-molded linear polyethylene or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS).

The boats we tested use similar polyethylene plastics but different densities. We compared the vessels' sturdiness, including their out rigging and other features, to determine how well they would withstand rugged use. Seats, handles, foot braces, deck storage bungee cords, dry storage hatch covers, and locking levers were some features we examined during our testing.

Boats using less plastic are often more flexible and seem much less durable than the sturdier plastic used to construct the Dagger Stratos , Eddyline Skylark , Perception Tribe , and models from Old Town and Wilderness Systems. This was especially evident when we tied the kayaks to our roof racks and noticed the thinner plastic quickly buckling or “ oil canning ” when put under pressure. Thinner plastic kayaks are not designed to be put under stress, hence the lower quality material and price tag.

On the flip side, the Dagger Stratos 12.5 S is constructed from premium materials with premium outfitting and is ready to be pushed to the max. With a central pillar to ensure it will not crumple under pressure, this boat is prepared to be pushed harder, further, and longer than any of the other models we tested.

It was a blast playing around on the water, testing and comparing all these fine kayaks. After reading our testing analysis and buyer's guide, we feel confident that you will better understand the wide world of kayaking. With so many options on the market, no one boat is right for everyone. We hope you take our information and use it to find the qualities, styles, features, and price tag most appealing to you. After all, the best boat for you is the one you feel the most comfortable in and enjoy paddling the most — the one that gets you out on the water as often as possible.

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Kayak's Newest Flight Price-matching Feature Helps You Find the Cheapest Airfare — and We Tested It Out

And all it takes is a screenshot.

Courtesy of Kayak

Kayak is making it much easier for travelers to ensure they get the best flight deal thanks to the rollout of its new PriceCheck tool.

Leveraging the power of AI, Kayak’s PriceCheck is “a new patent-pending price comparison tool” that’s free to use for mobile app users of the travel search engine. Travelers can upload a screenshot of their airfare — from any website — and Kayak will search across the competition to ensure they’re getting the best possible deal.  

For instance, Travel + Leisure inputted a Google Flights screenshot for a round-trip booking from New York to Seoul on Korean Air this spring. While the original price from the screenshot was $1,974, Kayak’s PriceCheck tool was able to find the same flight for as low as $1,830 on a competing site — resulting in nearly a $150 savings. 

In addition, Kayak also provided a few alternative flights from different airlines that were more than $700 cheaper than the original itinerary. On the same screen, Kayak offers travelers the ability to set a price alert to get notified when airfares change for this particular flight. 

"We’re constantly challenging the status quo when it comes to travel planning - this time with AI,” said Matthias Keller, Chief Scientist & SVP of Technology at Kayak, in a statement shared exclusively with T+L. “From KAYAK PriceCheck, a patent-pending game-changer that helps travelers quickly discover if they've secured the cheapest price, to Ask KAYAK, an AI companion that understands travel desires like never before – we’re not just offering tools, we’re ushering in a new era of personalized travel planning. Our team had a lot of fun building these new products, and we’re excited for travelers to check them out too."

Kayak shares some tips on the app and says that the tool works best when all flight itinerary details for a single traveler are clearly visible in the screenshot, including the price, travel dates, airline, and origin and destination airports. 

Along with this announcement, the company has launched “Ask Kayak,” another free feature that allows users to plan around destinations, travel dates, budget, and more. All of these new features come as other artificial intelligence services have come about recently to improve the overall trip planning experience, including Expedia and Google’s AI tools.

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Kayak Competition (Locations & Calendar)

Since the first kayaks, paddlers have been eager to prove their skills on the water and find out who among them was faster, quicker in the turns, or a better hunter.

It’s just human nature to want to compete and find out who’s the best, going back to the original Olympic games in ancient Greece.

It’s no different today. There are two kayaking and canoeing competitions in today’s Summer Olympic games. One is the Canoe Slalom, and the other is the Canoe Sprint. And there are also several non-Olympic kayaking competitions, such as wild water, river racing, surf competitions, and even dragon boat racing.

All involve paddlers of various skill levels competing to find out who’s the best — for pride, fun, and sometimes even for cash prizes.

Here’s a Quick List Of The Most Popular Competitions Out There

Introduction

Brief history and development of the sport

The 20th century—that’s when the magic happened. Picture this: it’s 1924, you’re in the heart of Paris and bam! Flatwater kayak racing makes its grand debut at the Olympics. Fast-forward a dozen years, and we’re in Berlin in 1936, where kayaking officially gets its spot on the Olympic roster. Then, in 1972, the daredevils of slalom kayaking crashed the Olympic party.

And now, in our modern world, kayaking isn’t just one sport—it’s a whole array of thrilling disciplines. From whitewater and sea kayaking to surf, freestyle, sprint, and slalom, there’s something for everyone, each with its unique gear and rules.

The International Canoe Federation (ICF), our global kayaking HQ, oversees all this excitement. They set the rules and standards and keep things running smoothly, with World Championships that dazzle us year after year.

Importance and popularity of Kayak Competitions globally

Kayak competitions have transformed this once tranquil pastime into a global sporting event. Race and spectacles include the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships, the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Marathon, or the Adidas Sickline Extreme Kayak World Championship. They draw audiences and competitors from all corners of the globe, proving that the love for this sport transcends borders and cultures.

But it’s not just about the competitive spirit. These events also encourage people to embrace the outdoors, understand the importance of preserving our natural waterways, and foster a sense of community among outdoor enthusiasts.

And here’s the kicker: with each passing year, the sport grows, drawing more participants, spectators, and coverage. Why in some countries, kayaking competitions are as eagerly awaited as the Super Bowl!

Types of Kayak Competitions

Whitewater kayaking

This discipline stands apart from the rest in kayak competitions, and let me tell you why.

First off, whitewater is a whole different beast compared to calm waters. We’re talking fast-moving river currents, turbulent water, and hidden obstacles. You’ll encounter waves that look like they’re on a mission, holes that suck you in, and maybe even a waterfall or two. It’s not for the faint-hearted, folks. Whitewater kayaking competitions happen in this natural, untamed environment, adding unpredictability not usually present in other kayaking events.

The essence of these competitions? Speed, technique, and precision. Kayakers hurl themselves downriver, navigating through rapids and around rocks while keeping their eyes on the prize. The objective can be to finish a course quickly, like in a downriver race, or to perform spectacular stunts, like in freestyle competitions.

In slalom events, kayakers must maneuver through a series of hanging gates without missing or touching any while battling the fierce current.

Whitewater kayaking differs from other types of kayak competitions, like sea or sprint kayaking, because of its variety. Sea kayaking is generally about long-distance endurance and navigation in vast open waters, while sprint kayaking is all about speed in a straight line on calm water. On the other hand, whitewater kayaking requires athletes to have a wide range of skills.

From the ability to read and react to rapid water movements to performing complex maneuvers under pressure and having the strength and endurance to power through a course—it’s all part and parcel of the sport.

Another aspect that sets whitewater competitions apart is the equipment. Whitewater kayaks are generally smaller, sturdier, and more maneuverable, designed to handle rapids’ capricious nature and allow quick, sharp turns.

Freestyle Kayaking

Whether you call it playboating, rodeo, or freestyle kayaking, this is the most artistic and gymnastic of the various forms of competitive paddling.

Unlike other competitive kayaking varieties, playboating doesn’t involve moving from point A to point B, and the paddler isn’t racing against another paddler or trying to beat a specific time to win the competition.

With this type of freestyle or rodeo boating, the paddler stays in a specific spot on the river and uses a dynamic feature such as a wave or pour-over to perform various acrobatic stunts and maneuvers.

In this form of competition, the paddler will be in a “playboat,” a very short and stubby, low-volume whitewater kayak that is easy to spin, roll, cartwheel, surf, and perform aerial loops and a variety of other tricks.

Since freestyle kayakers aren’t racing against each other, a set of nearby judges rates each paddler as they perform their maneuvers and gives them a numbered score to decide on a competition winner. These types of competitive events in the US are usually referred to as “whitewater rodeos,” In Europe and other parts of the world, they’re known as freestyle events.

Sprint Kayaking

Sprint kayaking, or flatwater racing, is a pulse-pounding speed, strength, and precision test.

Unlike the unpredictability of whitewater or sea kayaking competitions, sprint kayaking competitions occur on flat, calm water—usually on a straight course in a lake or a calm river. But don’t let the tranquility fool you. The battles that unfold on these peaceful waters are anything but tranquil.

The races are straightforward but far from simple. Athletes line up at the start, and when the signal is given, they power through the water, paddling with all their might to reach the finish line in the shortest time possible. There’s no navigation around buoys, tricks, or obstacles—just an all-out sprint to the finish.

Distances vary in these competitions. Common race distances include 200 meters, 500 meters, and 1000 meters, each requiring a different blend of speed, power, and pacing. And while it’s a solo sport, there’s a real sense of camaraderie here, with team events like K2 (two paddlers in the kayak) and K4 (four paddlers) adding another layer of strategy and synchronization to the mix.

The design of sprint kayaks is also a factor that sets this discipline apart. These are slim, lightweight, and incredibly aerodynamic boats built for one thing: unadulterated speed. Stability takes a backseat here—the focus is on minimizing water resistance to maximize speed.

Slalom Kayaking

Slalom racing, also known as whitewater slalom, is probably the most popular form of competitive kayaking. Slalom kayaking is similar to slalom skiing in that the participants race both downstream and upstream as fast as they can while at the same time navigating through a series of gates placed strategically along the course.

The best slalom paddlers combine strength, precision, grace, and calmness under pressure. This is a sport where fast reflexes, and the ability to make lightning-quick decisions, can make the difference between winning and finishing in second place.

In the case of slalom kayaking, the numbered gates that the competitors are required to navigate are poles suspended from cables above the water. The objective is to go through the gates — white and red are passed through while going downstream, white and green are passed through upstream – without touching them with any part of your equipment or body.

The paddler is racing against the clock in this competition. Each is given three runs – the first is a time trial, and the last two are timed runs. The fastest two runs are counted toward that paddler’s final score. Then when all the paddlers are finished, the one with the fastest timed run is declared the winner.

Rules and Regulations of Kayak Competitions

Let’s switch gears here and dive into the rules and regulations of kayak competitions.

• Safety : Above all else, the safety of the participants is paramount. All kayakers must wear appropriate safety gear, typically including a life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD), helmet (especially for whitewater and slalom kayaking), and suitable clothing for the weather and water conditions.
• Equipment : The kayak and other equipment, such as the paddle, must meet the specifications outlined by the competition’s rules. This can include requirements for the length, weight, and type of kayak and regulations regarding modifications.
• Conduct : Respectful and sportsmanlike conduct is expected from all participants. This includes showing respect for other competitors, officials, and the environment.
• Starting Procedure : Races usually start with a signal from an official. False starts (moving before the signal) can result in penalties or disqualification.
• Penalties and Disqualifications : Penalties can be given for various infractions, including missing a gate in slalom kayaking, touching a buoy in sprint kayaking, or violating equipment rules. Severe or repeated infractions can lead to disqualification.

B. Specific Rules for Each Type of Kayak Competition

• Whitewater Kayaking : Athletes must navigate a challenging river course quickly. Penalties are given for missing or touching a gate; the fastest time, including any penalties, determines the winner.
• Sea Kayaking : Races often involve long distances, and navigation skills are crucial. Courses must be followed precisely, and there can be rules about staying within designated waterways or passing certain waypoints.
• Freestyle Kayaking : Athletes are scored on their tricks within a set time limit. Each trick has a specific point value, and penalties can be given for not fully completing a trick or repeating the same trick too many times.
• Sprint Kayaking : Races are typically on a straight, flatwater course, and kayakers must stay in their designated lane. Touching a lane marker or another competitor’s kayak can result in penalties.
• Slalom Kayaking : The course consists of hanging gates that must be navigated in a specific order and direction. Penalties are given for missing or touching a gate, and the time, including penalties, determines the winner.

These are just broad overviews. The specific rules and regulations can vary between different competitions and governing bodies.

Top 4 Most Noteworthy Kayak Competitions Around the World

1. Olympic Kayaking

The pinnacle of competitive kayaking, both sprint and slalom disciplines, has been a part of the Summer Olympic Games for decades. Sprint kayaking debuted at the 1936 Berlin Games, and slalom was introduced at the 1972 Munich Games, albeit with a hiatus until it returned permanently in 1992.

Olympic Kayaking draws the world’s top athletes, all vying for the honor of Olympic gold. The fierce competition, the standards exceptionally high, and the race courses designed to challenge even the most seasoned paddlers. Both individual and team events are held, with races for men and women in various kayak (K1, K2, K4) and canoe (C1, C2) categories.

2. ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships

The International Canoe Federation (ICF) organized the Canoe Sprint World Championships, another prestigious global event attracting top-tier sprint kayaking talent. It has been held annually since 1970 (except for the Olympic years).

The event includes races in various classes and distances, with kayak and canoe divisions. The athletes compete for personal glory and national pride, representing their countries internationally.

3. The Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Marathon

Often called the “DW,” this marathon is a true endurance test. The race takes place in the United Kingdom, spanning 125 miles (201 kilometers) from Devizes in Wiltshire to Westminster in central London.

The race is not for the faint-hearted. It involves numerous portages around locks and weirs, and many competitors choose to complete the race non-stop, often paddling through the night. The event draws a diverse range of paddlers, from professional athletes to ambitious amateurs, all drawn to the challenge of this epic journey.

4. The Adidas Sickline Extreme Kayak World Championship

The Sickline Championship, held annually on the Ötztaler Ache River in Austria, is considered the ultimate challenge in extreme kayaking. It brings together the world’s best whitewater, slalom, and freestyle paddlers, competing on one of the most challenging whitewater courses.

The race course, known as the “Wellerbrücke” rapids, is a section of whitewater renowned for its demanding and technical nature. The competition combines a time-trial format with head-to-head racing in the later rounds, adding to the adrenaline and intensity of the event.

These competitions highlight the breadth and depth of kayaking as a sport—its grace and power, its combination of athleticism and artistry, and its ability to challenge and inspire.

Profiles of Top Kayak Athletes

Let’s meet some of the most prominent athletes in the field, explore their key achievements, and discuss their unique techniques or styles.

A. Introduction to Prominent Athletes in the Field

• Lisa Carrington (New Zealand) : A dominant force in women’s sprint kayaking, Carrington has numerous titles, including multiple World Championships and Olympic gold medals in the K1 200m.
• Adam van Koeverden (Canada) : An outstanding sprint kayaker from Canada, van Koeverden has a distinguished career with multiple World Championships and four Olympic medals in K1 events.
• Jessica Fox (Australia) : A slalom kayaker – both her parents are world champions in the sport – Fox has won numerous World Championships and has multiple Olympic medals to her credit in the K1 and C1 events.
• Erik Jackson (USA) : A legendary figure in freestyle kayaking, Jackson has claimed multiple World Championships titles and has played a major role in popularizing the sport.

B. Key Achievements and Records Set

• Lisa Carrington : Carrington’s impressive career includes gold medals in the K1 200m at three consecutive Olympics (2012, 2016, 2020). She also set a world-best time in the event at the 2014 World Championships.
• Adam van Koeverden : Over his career, van Koeverden secured four Olympic medals, including gold in the K1 500m in 2004. He also holds multiple World Championships medals.
• Jessica Fox : Fox achieved a historic feat at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics by winning gold in the inaugural C1 women’s slalom event. She also holds the record for the most individual World Championships won canoe slalom.
• Erik Jackson : Jackson has won the ICF Canoe Freestyle World Championships four times. He is among the few to have won the title in the squirt boat and kayak disciplines.

C. Unique Techniques or Styles Employed

• Lisa Carrington : Carrington is renowned for her incredible power-to-weight ratio, explosive starts, and exceptional paddle technique. Her rhythm and pace are almost machine-like in their precision.
• Adam van Koeverden : Known for his impressive stamina and strategic race pacing, van Koeverden often used a high-stroke rate and powerful technique to outpace competitors.
• Jessica Fox : Fox stands out for her exceptional technical skills, agility, and precise boat control. Her ability to read whitewater and react quickly is unparalleled.
• Erik Jackson : Jackson’s freestyle routines showcase his creativity and control. He’s known for inventing new moves and pushing the limits of what’s possible in a kayak.

The Future of Kayak Competitions

As we look ahead, the future of kayak competitions appears bright and brimming with potential.

The sport continues to evolve, driven by new trends, upcoming competitions, and potential rule changes. Here’s what we might expect in the coming years:

Emerging Trends in the Sport

• Greater Inclusivity : Efforts are underway to make the sport more inclusive. For instance, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics marked the debut of women’s canoe slalom and sprint events, bringing gender parity to the Olympic canoe/kayak program. We expect to see more initiatives promoting diversity and inclusion in the sport.
• Rise of Extreme Kayaking : Extreme kayaking, which includes navigating fast, turbulent whitewater, is growing in popularity. It’s an adrenaline rush for the athletes and draws spectators and media attention, bringing new audiences to the sport.
• Technological Innovations : From advanced boat designs and materials to high-tech training aids, technology is significantly impacting the sport. We expect this trend to continue, with further advancements improving performance and safety.

B. Upcoming Important Competitions

• 2024 Summer Olympics (Paris) : The Olympic Games will always be a key event in the kayaking calendar. With the sport gaining more attention and participants, the competition in Paris promises to be fiercely contested.
• Annual ICF World Championships : These events will remain a major focus for athletes, particularly in non-Olympic years. The sprint and slalom-disc championships offer a global stage for competitors.

C. Potential Rule Changes and Evolutions

• Adapting Competition Formats : To keep the sport engaging for spectators, there may be changes to competition formats. For example, we might see more head-to-head races or “super finals” with fewer competitors and higher stakes.
• Environmental Considerations : As with many sports, there’s growing awareness of the environmental impact of kayaking competitions. Future rule changes might involve stricter environmental regulations, such as limiting motorboat usage or requiring more sustainable materials for boats.
• Increased Safety Measures : Athlete safety remains paramount. We may see more rules or changes around equipment, course design, and emergency response to ensure that competitors are safe, especially in extreme kayaking events.

“Profile: Lisa Carrington.” International Canoe Federation. www.canoeicf.com/athlete/lisa-carrington .

“Profile: Adam van Koeverden.” Canadian Olympic Committee. www.olympic.ca/team-canada/adam-van-koeverden .

“Profile: Jessica Fox.” International Canoe Federation. www.canoeicf.com/athlete/jessica-fox .

“Advances in Kayak Technology.” British Canoeing. www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/guidance-resources/advances-in-kayak-technology .

“Paris 2024 Olympic Games.” Paris 2024. www.paris2024.org .

“2023 Canoe Slalom World Championships.” International Canoe Federation. www.canoeicf.com/canoe-slalom-world-championships .

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GB's Woods wins kayak cross World Cup bronze

Great Britain's Kimberley Woods won kayak cross bronze at the canoe slalom World Cup in Krakow, Poland, on Sunday.

World champion Woods fought off a late charge from the Czech Republic's Katerina Bekova to secure her first international medal of the season.

The 28-year-old's next competition will be at this summer's Paris Olympics, where kayak cross will make its Olympic debut.

"It's great to get the medal and to do it the way I did it," Woods said. "I’m super happy to get that bronze medal ahead of Paris.

"It wasn't gold but I'm still really pleased."

Australia 's Jessica Fox took the gold and made canoeing history by becoming the first athlete to win three individual gold medals over a single weekend in the competition.

Tereza Kneblova of the Czech Republic took silver ahead of Woods, who collected GB's third medal of the World Cup, following Joe Clarke's K1 gold and Ryan Westley's C1 bronze.

Krakow is the third of five World Cup events this season, with the remaining two taking place after the Olympics - in Ivrea, Italy, and La Seu, Spain , in September.

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Breaking News, Podcasts and Analysis Serving People who Organize, Manage and Host Sports Events

Columbus, Georgia, to Host 2022 World Cup and 2023 World Championships in Kayak

Events will take place on chattahoochee river.

Columbus, Georgia, will be hosting many of the world’s best kayakers when the 2022 World Cup and 2023 World Championships come to the destination to compete on the Chattahoochee River between Columbus and Phenix City.

The announcement was made by Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson , Phenix City Mayor Eddie Lowe and Uptown Columbus .

“I don’t think we can fully comprehend how big this is,” Henderson told attendees . “To have the world cup and the world championships here for two years in a row — yes it’s going to bring economic development. … But we are already the site of the longest urban-setting whitewater rapids in the world. Can you imagine how that notoriety is going to grow as the world tunes in to see some of the most talented competitors you’ve ever seen, right here in Columbus, Georgia?”

The competitions are sanctioned by the International Canoe Federation . The World Cup will take place October 3–9 with two different competitions and the World Championships — the first in the U.S. since 2013 — will take place June 27-July 1, 2023. Columbus and Phenix City will be following the competition planned next year in Nottingham, England.

“We are thrilled to bring this Olympic caliber event to the area,” said Helena Coates , chair of Uptown Columbus, Incorporated. “It is a great honor to be selected by the International Canoe Federation to host these prestigious events and serves as the capstone of an eighteen-month effort by local leaders to bring the competitions here.”

Columbus’ whitewater course has previously hosted world-class kayakers as part of the USA Freestyle Kayaking National Championships. The Chattahoochee River annually brings around 50,000 visitors to the region.

“Attracting an international sporting event that will generate 11 days of world-wide attention on Phenix City and Columbus is a huge feather in our cap,” said Lowe. “We plan to leverage these events to gain a competitive advantage in our economic development efforts to attract and retain more businesses and talented people to the region.”

The World Championships should attract over 300 competitors from over 30 countries.

“Our mix of world-class whitewater features within walking distance to hotels, shops, restaurants and other attractions offer a compelling setting for the World Cups and the World Championships,” said Ed Wolverton , president of Uptown Columbus Inc. “We hope to deliver the best environment that ICF competitors have ever seen in terms of water features and access to amenities.”

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2023 Freestyle Kayak World Championships: Underdogs Rise Up

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The Chattahoochee River serves as the municipal boundary between Phenix City, Alabama, and Columbus, Georgia.  There is a thundering stretch of whitewater that bisects the downtown areas of both cities with a small island on the Columbus side that protrudes into rapids and is accessible by a pedestrian bridge. Just off of the island is a thundering hydraulic known to the local kayaking community as “Good Wave.”

This powerful and unpredictable river feature served as the stage for the 2023 ICF Freestyle Kayak World Championships. The event drew over 200 athletes from 20 countries. They came to showcase their skills in a battle for the title of best freestyle kayaker in the world.

World Championships of Freestyle Kayaking

Freestyle kayaking is likely one of the most dynamic and entertaining sports you have possibly never heard of. Athletes enclose themselves in a small plastic boat that is roughly 6 feet in length and paddle onto a stationary whitewater feature.

In competition, they use the power of the moving water to throw as many different aerial and acrobatic maneuvers as possible in a 45-second ride. The bigger and more technical maneuvers score the most points. The person with the highest-scoring ride in the final heat wins.

Athletes work their way through a series of qualifying rounds that eliminate paddlers over a period of 6 days. The top five athletes in each class compete for the gold in a final heat.

The ICF Freestyle World Championships happen at a different location around the world, every 2 years. In the years between, there is a Freestyle World Cup event held at the location where the next World Championships will be held.

2023 Freestyle Kayak World Championships: Columbus, GA

This year’s World Championship event was one for the history books. It had an exceptional number of record-setting achievements — and, several noteworthy upsets.

There were a handful of key players leading into the event that promised to elevate the competition to new heights. And, they certainly delivered!

Squirt Boating

The squirt competition kicked off the event. Squirt boating is a variation of freestyle where paddlers compete in long narrow boats. They are designed much like a propeller. This is so they can both perform acrobatic tricks at the surface and underwater. It is also so they can purposefully “flow” underwater in order to stay under for extended periods of time, called a mystery move.

The score in a squirt competition is determined by the acrobatic maneuvers at the surface and multiplied by the number of seconds maintained underwater. It is an exciting discipline and one that keeps spectators on the edge of their seats. Anticipation is high as they wait for athletes to rocket out from the murky depths after an extended period of submersion.

The United States dominated the squirt event with a full sweep of the podium in the men’s class. This was led by Taft Sibley (USA) taking the gold, followed by teammate Andrew Grizzell (USA) with the silver, and five-time World Champion Clay Wright (USA) in the bronze position. The last time the USA swept the podium was 22 years prior, in 2001.

Rose Wall (USA) was the first woman to break the 2,000-point barrier that was previously achieved by only three other men. She also set a new women’s competition world record, by submerging her kayak for 31 seconds. Wall won the event, followed by World Champion kayaker Ottilie Robinson-Shaw (GBR) in silver and Tamsyn McConchie (GBR) with bronze.

OC1 Freestyle

Next up was the Open Canoe event, which is another variation of freestyle kayaking where competitors sit on their knees in a boat with an open cockpit and use a single-blade paddle. As the athletes drop into the whitewater feature, their boats fill with water, making them extremely heavy and cumbersome.

It is a multigender discipline — where women and men compete against each other in the same class. It requires extraordinary strength, and female competitors are virtually nonexistent.

This year, Landon Miller (USA) took the gold, followed by Zachary Zwanenburg (CAN) with silver and Philip Josef (GER) with bronze.

2023 ICF Freestyle World Championships: Canoe Categories

C1 men’s freestyle.

C1 is similar to Open Canoeing, in that paddlers kneel in their boats and use a single blade. But, in the C1 class, athletes are able to use a neoprene skirt to keep the water out of their boat. This keeps it light and nimble. As a result, they are able to perform more technical aerial maneuvers than the OC1s.

The men’s C1 class proved to be one of the tightest races. Former World Champions Dane Jackson (USA), Jordan Poffenberger (USA), Landon Miller (USA), and Tom Dolle (FRA) all jockeyed for the top position on the podium. Jackson took the lead with his first ride and maintained it throughout the competition.

But, in the last three rides in the finals heat, underdog Seth Chapelle took the lead in an incredible flurry of high-scoring tricks. The grandstands were silent with anticipation as Jackson caught the wave in the final ride of the event, waiting to see if he could better the incredible performance by Chapelle minutes earlier.

Jackson performed beautifully, but it wasn’t enough to top Chapelle’s winning ride. The crowd erupted in jubilee, as longtime competitor Seth Chapelle (USA) took the win for the first time in his 20 years representing Team USA at the Freestyle World Championships. This win was a hard-earned and well-deserved accomplishment for one of the nicest guys in the sport.

Chapelle was joined on the podium by teammates Dane Jackson in second place and Landon Miller in third. It was the second podium sweep by Team USA at the 2023 World Championships.

C1 Women’s Freestyle

In the women’s C1 event, reigning World Champion Ottilie Robinson-Shaw (GBR) retained her title. This was followed by Zofia Tula (POL) in second place and Tamsyn McConchie (GBR) in third.

2023 ICF Freestyle World Championships: Kayak Categories

Junior Women’s K1 Freestyle

The Junior Women’s category was a much-anticipated event, as local paddler and bronze medalist Makinley Kate Hargrove squared off against favorites Sophie Gilfillan (CAN) and Leah Hough (IRL). Hargrove laid down a high-scoring first ride, leaving the other competitors scrambling to catch her in their remaining two rides.

Gilfillan brought the heat in her second ride, a mere 20 points behind Hargrove. With all of the girls capable of taking the lead, the third and final ride of the event was tense.

Hargrove won the gold, followed by Gilfillan, and then Eleanor Knight (USA) with bronze. Knight had a beautiful series of high-flying tricks on her final ride to get onto the podium.

Junior Men’s K1 Freestyle

In the junior men’s competition, Tim Reese’s (GER) first ride proved unbeatable and earned him the gold. Onni Eronen finished in second place, earning Finland its first ICF medal at a World Championships. Timmy Hill (GBR) rounded out the podium in third place.

Women’s K1 Freestyle

In the women’s K1 class, five-time World Champion Ottilie Robinson-Shaw (GBR) was the favorite to win the event. Other athletes to watch included former World Champions Emily Jackson (USA), Hitomi Takaku (JAP), Sage Donnelley (USA), and Abby Holcombe (USA). It was a heated competition!

Heidi Walsh (GBR) laid down a beautiful ride in the semifinal round, eliminating Holcombe from the final round. Sage Donnelly performed beautifully in her second finals ride, earning enough points to win the gold. This was followed by Robinson-Shaw with silver and Jackson with bronze.

Men’s K1 Freestyle

In the Men’s K1 class, legendary athlete Dane Jackson (USA) is the undisputed G.O.A.T. He excels not only in freestyle kayaking, but also in extreme racing, water falling, and first descents. Jackson entered this year’s event with 19 International Canoe Federation (ICF) medals under his belt, nine of which were gold. He was a massive favorite to win the men’s K1 event.

His primary competition leading into the event was his brother-in-law and former World Champion, Nick Troutman (CAN), two-time World Champion Tom Dolle (FRA), and local kayaker and former Junior World Champion Mason Hargrove (USA).

Throughout the preliminary events, the competitors jockeyed for the lead in an incredibly difficult feature — sometimes performing brilliantly and other times getting flushed out the backside of the feature without scoring a single point. This made for an exciting event with several unexpected results.

Alan Ward (GBR) and Hayden Voorhees (USA) surprised the crowd with beautiful rides in the semifinal rounds and eliminated Hargrove from the final event.

The final round proved to be a family battle with brothers-in-law sparring for the top position. Jackson (USA) earned the top spot with his third consecutive win in the K1 class. Troutman (CAN) came in second and Dolle (FRA) placed third.

2023 Freestyle Kayak World Championships: One for the History Books

The 2023 Freestyle Kayak World Championships was a crowd favorite with all the attributes of a brilliant event. A difficult and unpredictable feature coupled with some of the greatest whitewater kayak athletes of all time, created a deep sense of anticipation as to what would happen in each of the classes throughout the event. There were record-setting performances coupled with unexpected defeats.

The underdog rose to the top to be crowned a champion more than once. But, most importantly, friends from around the world came together to play one of the most exciting games on the planet.

You can watch a recording from this event here . You can also see the full results here .

Be sure to check out the next Freestyle Kayak World Championships in Plattling, Germany, June 16-21, 2025.

Dane Jackson Stakeout 2022: Whitewater Freestyle Nirvana

The best whitewater kayakers on the planet flock to eastern Canada every spring. This 2022 'Stakeout' edit from Dane Jackson showcases why. Read more…

Kathy Holcombe is an adventure writer for Famagogo Media , the comedic relief on PeterHolcombe’s YouTube channel , and a regular contributor for WinnebagoLife.com . She has been writing about family adventure travel, van life, solo adventure travel, and more for 10+ years. Prior to Famagogo, she was the CEO of Peter Holcombe Photography. She has lived full-time in a Winnebago/Sprinter van with her family for the past ten years and counting. She has explored more than 26 countries in her travels. Holcombe is an avid hiker, backpacker, angler, sea kayaker, and campfire musician.

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KAYAK’s Global Travel Games

Let the travel games begin!

Today, we are announcing KAYAK’s GLOBAL TRAVEL GAMES™ (see, we can trademark stuff too), a Herculean competition among our 40 international sites to find out how people globally are planning their travel to the Games in Rio.

KAYAK logs over a billion searches each year* so we looked within that data to dole out some extremely prestigious awards (okay, just bragging rights) to those nations that have earned elite status for how they’ve planned for Rio .

*After extensive testing, it was determined that no performance-enhancing substance was used in any country’s data.

Congratulations to all our winners. And if your country didn’t place in this year’s Games, then you have 4 years to do your part by training those search fingers for competition.

Were you inspired by our data to join your fellow countrymen in Rio? (We get it: the ease of searching hundreds of other travel sites at once can have that effect on people.) Here are some inside tips to better plan your trip:

The best time to travel to Rio. When it comes to planning a trip to Rio for August (or planning travel around any important global event), the Rules of Air Travel go out the window. That’s why we combed through our data to highlight the top date combinations that have the lowest median airfares to Rio in August:

• August 16 to August 27 : median airfare $786
• August 16 to August 25 : median airfare $802
• August 9 to August 13 :  median airfare $809

Organize your events. With so many things to do in Rio, how are you going to keep track? Luckily, because you’re a smart (and, dare we say, incredibly attractive) KAYAK user, you’re already familiar with KAYAK Trips . However, did you know that you can take your Trip beyond storing all your flight, hotel and rental car confirmations in one easy-to-access itinerary? By forwarding emails like restaurant or activity reservations to [email protected] , or by manually entering event details, you can populate your itinerary with all the other fun things you’ll do in Rio. Add notes to each event if you want to remember bits of your trip (like a dish to try, the name of your tour guide or a particularly memorable moment).

Set Price Alerts if you’re still on the fence. Still not sure if Rio is right for you? Set a Price Alert and we’ll notify you when airfare to Rio goes up or down.

Get a break from all the competition. If you can’t possibly sit through one more round, see what else Rio has to offer via a Guide  on KAYAK. Get your fill of culinary treasures with a food tour of Rio or experience natural wonders with a Jeep ride through the rain forest. Check out more Activities on KAYAK and start making the most of your visit to the Marvelous City.

Methodology: Prices may vary.  Unless otherwise indicated below, results for the categories in the infographic are based on click data for global searches to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil conducted on KAYAK between 05/01/2015 and 06/01/2016, for travel dates 08/04/2016 through 08/22/2016 . For procrastination category, we adjusted search dates to 05/04/2016 through 06/01/2016. For preparation category, we adjusted search dates to 05/01/2015 through 02/04/2016. Booking tips for the Best Time to Travel to Rio based on searches to Rio conducted between 08/01/2015 through 06/09/2016 for travel beginning 07/29/2016-08/21/2016 and ending 08/05/2016-08/28/2016 .

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The Unique Burial of a Child of Early Scythian Time at the Cemetery of Saryg-Bulun (Tuva)

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Pages:  379-406

In 1988, the Tuvan Archaeological Expedition (led by M. E. Kilunovskaya and V. A. Semenov) discovered a unique burial of the early Iron Age at Saryg-Bulun in Central Tuva. There are two burial mounds of the Aldy-Bel culture dated by 7th century BC. Within the barrows, which adjoined one another, forming a figure-of-eight, there were discovered 7 burials, from which a representative collection of artifacts was recovered. Burial 5 was the most unique, it was found in a coffin made of a larch trunk, with a tightly closed lid. Due to the preservative properties of larch and lack of air access, the coffin contained a well-preserved mummy of a child with an accompanying set of grave goods. The interred individual retained the skin on his face and had a leather headdress painted with red pigment and a coat, sewn from jerboa fur. The coat was belted with a leather belt with bronze ornaments and buckles. Besides that, a leather quiver with arrows with the shafts decorated with painted ornaments, fully preserved battle pick and a bow were buried in the coffin. Unexpectedly, the full-genomic analysis, showed that the individual was female. This fact opens a new aspect in the study of the social history of the Scythian society and perhaps brings us back to the myth of the Amazons, discussed by Herodotus. Of course, this discovery is unique in its preservation for the Scythian culture of Tuva and requires careful study and conservation.

Keywords: Tuva, Early Iron Age, early Scythian period, Aldy-Bel culture, barrow, burial in the coffin, mummy, full genome sequencing, aDNA

Information about authors: Marina Kilunovskaya (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail: [email protected] Vladimir Semenov (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail: [email protected] Varvara Busova  (Moscow, Russian Federation).  (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences.  Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Kharis Mustafin  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate of Technical Sciences. Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Irina Alborova  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate of Biological Sciences. Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Alina Matzvai  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected]

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