Mark Kearney is a 21-year-old Irishman and a freestyle kayaker. Freestyle kayakers do some superb stunts, like flips, rolls, and different issues I’m undecided describe . . . in a kayak, utilizing only a paddle (and doubtless lots of core power, too).
On Instagram, Kearney posts movies of his freestyle-kayaking adventures. Some will make your jaw drop, and others will make you snicker. As an illustration, right here’s him crossing a physique of water in a kayak, however as an alternative of simply paddling throughout, he does this:
He casually calls this “Out and in #kayaking”. Okay, exhibit.
In one other video, Kearney does a roll in his kayak with out spilling (a lot) of his Guinness. He does this despite the fact that his beer is in an open glass.
It’s exhausting to find out which stunt is extra spectacular.
Right here he’s doing a entrance flip over a waterfall:
Freestyle Kayaking, the Sport
Freestyle kayaking or “canoe freestyle” is a sport ruled by the Worldwide Canoe Federation (ICF). Opponents full sick methods on set water options to earn factors.
In response to the ICF, you possibly can compete in canoe freestyle in 4 varieties of boat, together with a kayak, during which opponents sit with their legs out in entrance and use a double-bladed paddle.
“Factors are awarded for every totally different rotation throughout a 60-second choreographed routine, and bonus factors could be gained for the way deep and the way lengthy the boat could be saved underneath water throughout a thriller transfer,” ICF says on its web site.
Within the U.S., USA Freestyle Kayaking is the governing physique for the game of freestyle kayaking. The American Canoe Affiliation (ACA) maintains the official guidelines and laws for the game and represents the U.S. throughout the ICF.
Right here’s another video that reveals Dane Jackson, an American who holds a number of freestyle and whitewater titles, doing freestyle kayaking methods:
Have you ever heard of freestyle kayaking?
