Obsessed with kayaking? We are too. Tell-tale signs of being kayak-crazy include making kayaking your main conversation topic, obsessing over the minutiae of new gear and considering kayaking skills a crucial quality in a potential romantic partner.

Some paddlers take it a step further and forever cement their love of two-bladed fun on their bodies. See below for the wild, ridiculous and beautiful ways kayakers illustrate what paddling means to them. Will you be getting inked with any of these kayak tattoos?

 The silhouetted angler

Tattoo of man standing on fishing kayak holding a rod

No one will ever ask you, “So what are you doing this weekend?” again.

The backcountry kayaker

Someone's arm tattooed with scene of kayaker going down narrow river

Sometimes you just need to bring a piece of the wilderness home with you.

The low-key kayaker

Ankle tattoo of person kayaking

When you’re not quite ready for the sleeve.

The just-wants-to-have-fun paddler

Cartoon kayaker

Can you identify someone’s outlook on life from their tattoo?

The kayak angler’s dream catch

Person sitting in fishing kayak with hooked fish in foreground

Why bother relaying the story of your latest catch when you can just show someone this tattoo?

The kayaker with the overactive imagination

Person kayaking in a salmon while being attacked by grizzly bear

Lesson learned from this tattoo? Never kayak a salmon near a grizzly bear.

The triumphant tourer

Person in kayak holding paddle above their head

It’s not about being the fastest or the most skilled—the most important thing is getting out there.

The classic whitewater enthusiast

Person paddling kayak with a smile

Good form + wearing a helmet and PFD = Paddling Magazine approved.

The tackle lover

Person sitting in a fishing lure kayak, holding a fish

Kayaking on a fish is a popular motif in the kayak tattoo world.

The hardcore kayaker

Skull wearing a helmet with paddles crossed below

Just in case you thought kayakers were too wholesome.

The sea kayaker’s nightmare

Giant squid holding a sword fish and a paddle

We don’t know what’s going on here, but our best wishes go to the owner of the paddle.

The paddler you definitely want to be friends with

Woman wearing helmet and paddling a kayak

Wearing her love for whitewater proudly.

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