Meaning & use
kayaking
Last updated
“kayaking” is a form of “kayak”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
noununcountable
The activity or sport of moving across water in a small narrow boat using a double-bladed paddle.
Grammar: No plural and no article: go kayaking, enjoy kayaking.
Patterns
- go kayaking
- take up kayaking
We went kayaking on the lake last weekend.
Kayaking is a great way to see the coast.
noununcountablesport
The activity of paddling a kayak as a competitive sport.
Grammar: Used for the sport, often after words like event or championship.
Patterns
- compete in kayaking
- an Olympic kayaking event
She competes in kayaking at national level.
Kayaking became an Olympic sport for women in the 1940s.
Common combinations
- go kayaking
- Let's go kayaking on the river this Saturday.
- white-water kayaking
- White-water kayaking is not for beginners.
- sea kayaking
- They offer guided sea kayaking tours.
- kayaking trip
- We booked a two-day kayaking trip.
- take up kayaking
- He took up kayaking after his knee injury.
Synonyms and how they differ
- canoeing
- Similar activity, but a canoe is paddled with a single-blade paddle and is usually open on top, so use canoeing when that is the boat.
- paddling
- A more general word for moving a small boat with a paddle; kayaking names the boat and paddle type specifically.
Word family
Commonly confused: kayaking or canoeing?
kayaking vs canoeing
Canals and calm rivers suit both, but a kayak is sat in with legs forward and uses a double paddle, while a canoe is usually sat or knelt in with a single paddle.
Practice
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose one answer.
Kayaking is an uncountable activity noun, so it takes no article and no plural: I love kayaking. Adding a, the, or -s is the common mistake.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “kayaking”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.