So what exactly do kayakers mean by “play”?

While at first I thought that a “play boat” was a derogatory term for a cheap recreational kayak, after a while of reading this forum I have come to understand (I think, anyway) that “play” refers to surfing waves, or going around rocks, etc, using more advanced skills to have fun in rough conditions, and that a “play boat” refers to a kayak that maneuvers easily and handles waves well, but might not be so good at covering distance fast on calmer waters. Is that correct? What am I missing? Thanks.

Here’s a visual example, taken a couple of years ago during a trip to Lake Tahoe during which we stopped in Reno to watch a kayak play-boat competition in the rapids of the Truckee River. Paddlers in those short planing hull kayaks would head into the hydraulics and perform various rolls and flips while trying to stay in the turbulence as long as possible. (I have short video of this too but can’t locate the file.)

And if you can stand the annoying electronic soundtrack, here is a link to a YouTube video showing and explaining play-boat tricks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCWgtihbhdI

Thanks. Yeah, lovely soundtrack. But does it also apply to sea kayakers, not just whitewater?

@Doggy Paddler said:
While at first I thought that a “play boat” was a derogatory term for a cheap recreational kayak, after a while of reading this forum I have come to understand (I think, anyway) that “play” refers to surfing waves, or going around rocks, etc, using more advanced skills to have fun in rough conditions, and that a “play boat” refers to a kayak that maneuvers easily and handles waves well, but might not be so good at covering distance fast on calmer waters. Is that correct? What am I missing? Thanks.

I think that pretty much nails it for sea kayaks.

Yes you have it right. The diff between sea kayaks regarded as playful and WW boats of the same description is one of degree.
A true WW play boat has very little hull speed. Very helpful to stay in that hole but a huge PITA to try and attain an eddy a bit upriver if you missed it.
A playful sea kayak will also be slower and require more frequent course corrections over a longer paddle than one designed to make speed. But it is still a sea kayak and has to be able to trek and carry gear. So the behavior differences may seem less than in WW, at least when first encountering them.

OK, thanks! I get it now and finally understand why many people on here seem to have multiple boats for different purposes.

@Doggy Paddler said:
OK, thanks! I get it now and finally understand why many people on here seem to have multiple boats for different purposes.

I tell people to think of them as golf clubs, you need different ones for different situations.

I think I’ll stick to kayaking. Golf really confuses me…

Per the late, great William Nealy:

A codpiece and a tail. Nice!

@Doggy Paddler said:
OK, thanks! I get it now and finally understand why many people on here seem to have multiple boats for different purposes.

Then there are crafts for the ocean than aren’t kayaks per se… This still remains one of my favorite “play session” in the ocean - nice swells, good vibes, despite the crowd:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVbibCf4Xhg

sing

it’s about the waves… ocean waves!

What Sing shows is a surf kayak built for what you see, surfing. When a seakayaker says “play boat” its more like,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7HeSZMkkqM
https://www.woodenboat.com/boat-plans-kits/petrel-play

Which can do open water surfing off shore or in the break like those guys were doing in Sings reference.

Of course things don’t always work out playing in the tide races.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8zMq-qZPGg

Then again it is a example of a wet exit and towing a swimmer and kayak to an eddy.

@Doggy Paddler said:
While at first I thought that a “play boat” was a derogatory term for a cheap recreational kayak…

That derogatory term you are thinking of is “pool toy”.

For ocean rock play boating, make sure you check out the Neptune’s Rangers videos (http://neptunesrangers.com/).

For some ocean surf play (mostly ride race play, especially Skooks), check out The Hurricane Riders videos (http://www.sterlingskayak.com/the-hurricane-riders.html).

@Overstreet said:
Of course things don’t always work out playing in the tide races.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8zMq-qZPGg

Then again it is a example of a wet exit and towing a swimmer and kayak to an eddy.

He was able to maintain contact with the boat. Scary as his radio was on the deck and not on him
That led to three deaths here last year
But I digress

Excellent boat builder.

@kayamedic said:
He was able to maintain contact with the boat. Scary as his radio was on the deck and not on him
That led to three deaths here last year
But I digress

Losing the radio or the boat? Digress away…