Whitewater kayaking is both challenging and entertaining activity that involves paddling kayak on moving water body. It can be done either on gently moving water or on dangerous whitewater. River rapids for whitewater kayaking are classified into different grades (1 to 6) on the basis of severity or danger of the rapid. Grade 1 is used to describe slightly moving water with ripples that is considered to be ideal for the beginners. Grade 2 describes moving water that provides a small degree of challenge. Similarly, grade 6 denotes extremely severe and challenging whitewater such as the water of Niagara Falls.

The main equipment required for whitewater kayaking includes boat, paddle, buoyancy aid or personal flotation device, helmet and sprayskirt. In addition to these, there are various other tools that are carried along for self- protection. The safety tools that one should not forget for whitewater kayaking comprise a rope throw bag, nose clips, safety whistle and a knife. Furthermore, the boater should be well dressed in order to keep himself/herself secure in water temperature.

Whitewater kayaking is divided into five 'sub-categories' namely river running, creeking, slalom, playboating as well as squirt boating. River running is a tour down the river. It gives opportunity to experience challenging whitewater and enjoy the natural scenery. River running may include longer multi-day trips or short day trips. Creeking, another form of kayaking involves very technical and difficult rapids ranging from grade 4 to grade 6. Kayaks that are used in creeking are more rounded and possess greater volume so that these can be resurfaced swiftly and controllably. Moreover, slalom is a popular technical competitive type of kayaking. It is the whitewater sport that also appears in Olympic Games. This form of kayaking is conducted on Grade 2 to Grade 6 water. Besides slalom and river running, play boating is also an interesting form of kayaking. Play boating is a gymnastic kind of kayaking that is also popularly called Freestyle or Rodeo. Moreover, in squirt boating, long, flat and low-volume boats are used to perform special moves in whitewater.

Angeline Bakkila enjoys different forms of whitewater kayaking. Apart from whitewater kayaking, she likes to be a part of adventurous sports like camping, bungee jumping, hang gliding, skiing, scuba diving and many others. Angeline Bakkila is a lively person and she likes to face new challenges in life. For further details on Angeline Bakkila, please visit http://www.angelinebakkila.com

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