Just a few years ago whitewater kayaks were 10 ft. to 11 ft. long and paddlers got excited about surfing a river wave. We still get excited about surfing waves, but now kayaks designed for river play are about 6 to 7 ft. long and much more maneuverable and playful. Freestyle boaters can now spin, twist, cartwheel, and loop their boats in a manner akin to gymnast. In this photo the paddler is doing a cartwheel.

For more kayaking photography see the Kern River Festival Photos page.