With uses from surfing to fishing, the options kayaking provides have led it to be one of the fastest growing sports in the United States, increasing 37 percent between 2000 and 2002, according to the Outdoor Industry Association.

"Surfing, trolling, camping, scuba diving, free diving, sailing, racing," John Enomoto, manager of kayak store Go Bananas, listed as some of the many uses of kayaking.

Said Schultz, who works at Twogood Kayaks in Kailua: "Most of the people that end up buying a kayak is for some purpose like surfing, freediving, fishing or snorkeling."

Fishing or trolling, where people use a kayak to paddle out into the ocean to fish, has seen the biggest growth, said Gary Budlong, owner of Go Bananas in Kapahulu.

Kayak surfing, where the kayaker rides the waves, is especially popular when the waves are rolling in. Budlong said his store experiences a 40 percent growth in sales during the summer when south ocean swells are rising.

Another popular use of kayaks is for freediving, where people paddle out into the ocean and dive to depths of 100 feet to hunt for barracudas or sailfish.

"It is one the world's gutsiest and most difficult things to do," said Budlong, who added free-divers are his store's biggest group of buyers.

Most of the kayaks sold in Hawai'i are sit-on top kayaks and can be used for extreme and less-extreme activities.

"It's a good way to exercise and get a complete a workout," said Barnes, who likes to kayak off Magic Island or in Kane'ohe Bay. "It's good for all ages and it's low impact, unlike running where you're jarring your body."

Schultz said kayaking gives him a good perspective of O'ahu.

"You can paddle out and look back instead of always standing and looking out at sea," he said.

Schultz suggested Kailua Bay as one of the perfect locations for kayaking on O'ahu.

"It's a protected bay and the reef keeps it calm, even when there's high winds and swell activity," he said.

Schultz said kayakers usually go out to the Mokulua Islands off Lanikai to picnic or snorkel. He added the trip is even suitable for beginning kayakers.

Budlong suggested if one is interested in taking up kayaking, they should rent a kayak for a few days and try it out. He added that kayaking isn't too difficult to grasp and that "the more you're used to the water or have water experience, the better off you are."

Like all sports, kayaking does have its risks. Budlong said most people who run into problems are beginners, those who use the wrong type of equipment or don't use common sense. Another problem is the tradewinds which can blow a person off course.

Go Bananas shows people how the winds affect them and how to pay attention to the winds and tides, and carries maps showing where the reefs are and which way the wind comes from.

Roof racks, costing around $200, have also played a part in increasing the popularity of kayaks. Budlong said the racks placed atop cars has given kayakers the "freedom to go wherever they want to go, travel around the island and pick the weather and day (to paddle)."

Added Budlong: "It's an everybody type sport ... using the kayak to get out and enjoy the beauty of Hawai'i."