Canoe Sports

In this article we would discuss such sports topics as: flatwater racing (sprint) and marathon racing, competitive forms of canoeing and kayaking on more or less flat water. Both sports by equipment and paddling technique are very similar. (I have already reviewed both kinds of them in previous posts). Both sports are supervised by the International Canoe Federation (ICF). Flatwater racing or sprint, which is referred to by the IOC as "canoe/kayak flatwater", is one of the two forms of the two canoeing disciplines that feature in the Summer Olympics, the other being canoe/kayak slalom. Marathon racing is not an Olympic sport. In non-Olympic years the main event are the World Championships.

Flatwater racing takes place on a straight course divided in lanes, on calm water. The distances recognised by the ICF for international races are 200 m, 500 m, and 1000 m. Each boat has its own designated lane, except for races over more than 1000 m, where there also may be turning points. Men race in canoes and in kayaks, women only in kayaks except for in Canada, where women's canoe is an event raced at both Canada Games and National Championships. For each race a number of heats, semi-finals and a final may be necessary, depending on the number of competitors. Flatwater racing has been part of the Olympic Games since 1936 (Berlin) for men, and since 1948 (London) for women. Notable Olympic gold medal winners are Birgit Fischer-Schmidt (8 gold medals since 1980) and Gert Fredriksson (6 gold medals between 1948 and 1960).

Marathons are long distance races on rivers, lakes, estuaria or even open sea. The course may consist of obstacles such as shallows, rocks and portages. Under ICF rules, the minimum distances for international races are 20 km for men, and 15 km for women. The races may be divided in several parts and/or several days. World Cup and World Championship races normally are about 35 to 40 km long. As there are no maximum distances, marathon racing has its extremes, such as the Devizes to Westminster Marathon in England (125 miles, i.e. about 200 km), the Tour de Gudenå in Denmark (120 km), the Texas Water Safari (262 mi), the Weyerhaeuser Au Sable River Canoe Marathon (nonstop 120 miles), the Berg River Canoe Marathon in South Africa (248 km), the Red Cross Murray Marathon, 404km down the Murray River in Australia, and the longest annual canoe and kayak race, The Yukon River Quest (742km), The Missouri River 340, the longest non-stop river canoe and kayak race (340 miles).

The official boats recognised by the ICF as 'International Boats' are the following: K1, K2, K4, C1, C2 and C4, where the number indicates the number of paddlers, “K” stands for kayak and “C” for Canadian or Canoe, depending on location. Kayaks have a steering rudder, which is operated by the paddler with his feet; in a kayak a paddler is sitting, while in a Canoe he is kneeling on one knee. The ICF rules for these boats define among others the maximum length, the minimum weight and the shape of the boats. For example, by ICF rules, a K1 is at most 520 cm long, and weighs at least 8 kg for marathons, or 12 kg for sprints. In 2000, after the Olympic Games in Sydney, the ICF withdrew width restrictions on all boats, spurring a fury of innovations in boat designs. Modern boats are usually made of carbon fiber and/or aramid fiber (e.g. Kevlar) with epoxy resin. Some famous kayak racers are Ivan Lawler, with 7 times world champion and Anna Hemmings, 3 times world champion.

In Canada, a racing class exists for the C15 or WC or "War Canoe", as well as a analogously designed C4 (which is much shorter and more squat than an 'International' C4). An antiquated boat class is the C7, resembling a large C4 which was debuted by the ICF with little success.

Paddles for propelling are double-bladed for kayaks, and single-bladed for canoes, and are commonly made of carbon fiber with epoxy. For kayaks so-called wing paddles are generally used, the blades of which are shaped to resemble a wing. These paddles are more well-organized than traditional paddles, presumably because they create extra "lift" in the direction in which the kayak moves. The wing blade has experienced many evolutions in the past two decades, evolving from a flatter blade to one with a more pronounced curve to better catch the water. As a rule, for racing canoes, the blade will be short and broad, with a 'power face' on one side of the blade which is either flat or scalloped out. The shaft will typically be longer than a tripping canoe paddle, because the kneeling position puts the paddler higher above the surface of the water. More topical designs of canoe racing paddles will often have a slight bent-shaft (a concept conceived by Gene Jensen in the 1950s), but not to the degree used in marathon paddles. Many high-performance canoe paddlers favor the feel of a carbon-fibre shaft mated to a wooden blade, while almost all high-performance kayak paddlers use paddles made absolutely of carbon fiber.

Canoeing can be a relaxing pastime but remember that there are also extreme options. So in this article we would review some of them:

Whitewatering.
Shoot a river's rapids in a canoe. You will need to know how to Eskimo roll your canoe when it capsizes. There are many different types of whitewater craft that people use to make their way down a rapid, preferably with finesse and control. Here is a short list of them:

Whitewater kayaks differ from sea kayaks and recreational kayaks in that they are specialized to deal with moving water better. They are often shorter and more maneuverable than sea kayaks and are specially designed to deal with water flowing up onto their decks. Most whitewater kayaks are made of plastics these days, although some paddlers (especially racers and "squirt boaters") use kayaks made of fiberglass composites. Whitewater kayaks are fairly stable in turbulent water, once the paddler is skillful with them; if flipped upside-down, the skilled paddler can easily roll them back upright. This essential skill of whitewater kayaking is called the "Eskimo Roll," or simply "Roll." Kayaks are paddled in a low sitting position legs are extended forward, with a two-bladed paddle. See Whitewater kayaking.

Rafts are also often used as a whitewater craft; more stable than typical kayaks, they are less maneuverable. Rafts can carry large loads, so they are often used for expeditions. Typical whitewater rafts are inflatable craft, made from high strength fabric coated with PVC, Urethane, Neoprene or Hypalon, see rafting. While most rafts are large multi-passenger craft, the smallest rafts are single-person whitewater craft, see packraft.

Catarafts are constructed from the same materials as rafts. They can either be paddled or rowed with oars. A specialized cataraft, designed without any metal frame, is a Shredder. It is manufactured by Inflatable Technologies in Ohiopyle, Pa. A Shredder is specifically designed to be paddled. It is usually paddled by a two person crew, though highly skilled paddlers are able to negotiate extreme whitewater in a Shredder paddled as a solo boat. Typical catarafts are constructed from two inflatable pontoons on either side of the craft which are bridged by a frame. Oar propelled catarafts have the occupants sitting on seats mounted on the frame. Virtually all oar powered catarafts are operated by a boatsman with passengers having no direct responsibilities. Catarafts can be of all sizes. Many are smaller and more maneuverable than a typical raft.

Canoes are often made of fiberglass, kevlar, plastic or a combination of the three for strength and durability. They may have a spraycover, resembling a kayak, or "open," resembling the typical canoe. This type of canoe is usually referred to simply as an "open boat." Whitewater canoes are paddled in a low kneeling position, with a one-bladed paddle. Open whitewater canoes have large airbags to prevent the boat from being swamped by big waves and holes. Like kayaks, whitewater canoes can be righted after capsizing with an Eskimo Roll, but requires more skill.

C1s are similar in construction to whitewater kayaks. However, they are paddled in a low, kneeling position. They employ the use of a one-blade paddle, usually a little shorter than used in a more traditional canoe. They will have a spraycover, essentially the same type used in kayaking. Like kayaks, whitewater canoes can be righted after capsizing with an Eskimo Roll.

McKenzie River dory or "Drift Boat" by some. A more traditional "hard sided" boat. The design is characterized by a wide, flat bottom, flared sides, a narrow, flat bow, a pointed stern, and extreme rocker in the bow and stern to allow the boat to spin about its center for ease in maneuvering in rapids.

Anything where you dodge rocks is extreme! Running whitewater rivers is a popular recreational sport but remember that it is also very dangerous. In fast moving water there is always the potential for injury or death by drowing or hitting objects.

Surf kayaking and canoeing.
Paddling in the surf of a beach break is loads of fun. You catch and ride waves like a regular surfer. A surf ski, is a lightweight water craft with a long narrow displacement type hull, an open or sit-on-top cockpit. The craft usually has a foot pedal controlled rudder and is a type of kayak used for surf kayaking, surf lifesaving and flat-water or ocean racing. Double bladed paddles are used, often with highly contoured wing blades for extra efficiency.

Waveskis are a type of surf ski usually under ten feet in length, typically with a wide planing type bottom and one to three fixed skegs, or fins. Waveskis are more similar to surf boards and are used primarily in surf play. There has been some confusion in terminology as surf skis and waveskis types developed, but these usages are almost universal now. Surf kayaking is sometimes called "surf canoeing" in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Surf skis are very long and narrow for kayaks, typically about 20 feet (6 meters) long and 16-20" (40-50cm) wide. As such, they excel at going fast and tracking well, but at the expense of maneuverability and stability. Most surf skis are made of composite materials, such as cloth made from fiberglass, carbon fiber or kevlar, which is bonded with an epoxy or polyester resin. In order to reduce the weight the number of layers of the material and the amount of resin is minimized to just that necessary for structural integrity.

Surf skis are used worldwide, but are most popular in warmer coastal regions, notably Australia, California, Hawaii, and South Africa, as paddling a surf ski inevitably involves contact with the water. In cooler waters, paddlers often choose to wear a wetsuit.

Extreme racing.
Extreme racing involves paddling a kayak down a section of hard whitewater requiring excellent boat handling skills. The rivers are typically class V and involve waterfalls and dangerous rapids. Races may involve mass-starts or individual timed runs.

By comparison, whitewater racing involves racing specialised canoes or kayaks down grade II to IV rivers. Whitewater racing boats would be unsuitable for rivers used in extreme races. The rivers used in extreme races would be considered too difficult and dangerous for whitewater racing, and are beyond the ability of the majority of whitewater kayakers.

Extreme races are often run as part of whitewater kayaking events. For example, the Ulla extreme race is part of the Sjoa Kayak Festival in Norway. Extreme races are held on the Nevis in Scotland, the Ulla in Norway, and the Russell Fork, Green River Narrows, Upper Gauley River, Upper Youghiogheny River, and Great Falls of the Potomac in the United States.

If you have never tried canoeing before then it's high time that you did! Basically, canoeing is the activity of paddling a canoe for the purpose of recreation (also called a float trip), sport, or transportation. It usually refers exclusively to using a paddle to propel a canoe with only human muscle power. A kayak is propelled using a paddle with two blades where the paddler sits with their legs in front of them, whereas canoes are propelled using single- or double-bladed paddles where the paddler is kneeling or sitting. Kayaks are usually closed-decked boats with a spraydeck, while canoes are usually open boats. There are also open kayaks and closed canoes. Technically, a kayak can be seen as a special kind of canoe. When exactly a canoe can be called a kayak is difficult to determine though, and often arbitrary. Internationally, the term canoeing is used as a generic term for both forms though the terms "paddle sports" or "canoe/kayak" are also used. In North America, however, "canoeing" usually refers only to canoes, as opposed to both canoes and kayaks. Paddling a kayak is also referred to as kayaking. Open canoes may be "poled" (punted), sailed, "lined and tracked" (using ropes) or even "gunnel-bobbed".

In modern canoe sport, both canoes and kayaks may be closed-decked. Other than by the minimum competition specifications, typically length and width and seating arrangement it is difficult to differentiate most competition canoes from the equivalent competition kayaks. The most common difference is that competition kayaks are always seated and paddled with a double-bladed paddle, and competition canoes are generally kneeled and paddled with a single-bladed paddle. Exceptions include Canoe Marathon (in both European and American competitive forms) and sprint (high kneeling position). The most traditional and early canoes did not have seats, the paddlers merely kneeled on the bottom of the boat. Recreational canoes and kayaks employ seats and whitewater rodeo and surf variants increasingly employ the use of 'saddles' to give greater boat control under extreme conditions.

There are many forms of recreational canoeing. In fact, there are now hybrid canoes as well. Among the more popular forms of recreational canoeing are the following:

Whitewater canoeing. As the name indicates, this refers to paddling down whitewater rivers for fun. There are different difficulty levels for whitewater canoeing, including for short and long trips as well as extreme expeditions on raging torrents. This is the most practiced form of kayaking these days.

Sea Kayaking is recreational kayaking on the sea and covers short day trips to year-long expeditions. It also includes canoeing in heavy seas and tidal currents. Its main difference is that is requires navigational skills.

There are also playboating (surfing while performing tricks), canoe camping (a combination of canoeing and camping), wave skiing (using a craft that's just a little bigger than a surfboard), surf skiing (using a longer craft that maneuvers well on breaking waves) and white water rafting (features a group of people paddling a large inflatable raft down a river).

As a sport, canoeing is governed by the International Canoe Federation, which creates the standard rules for the different disciplines of canoe competition. There are only two canoe sports included in the Olympic Games, Sprint and Slalom. Among the other canoe sports disciplines are the marathon, canoe polo, whitewater racing, dragon boat racing, playboating, extreme racing., outrigger canoe racing and canoe surfing.