Kayaking is a paddling sport using a kayak that involves skill, excitement, and danger. It has a long history dating back at least 4000 years when kayaks were first used by Inuit people for hunting and fishing from wooden boats. Modern kayaks are often made of plastic. There are various types of kayaking including recreational, sea kayaking in oceans, whitewater kayaking in rivers, and surf kayaking in the ocean. Kayaking has been an Olympic sport since 1936 with races typically 500-1000 meters, though some earlier races were 10km.