What is Canoeing?

Canoeing is a water sport done in a small, lightweight boat with points at both ends. It is propelled by paddles that move through the water. There are three types of canoes; kayak, standard, and open canoe. A kayak has a closed sitting area and a double-ended paddle. A standard canoe is similar to a kayak, but a single-ended paddle is used. An open canoe, which is more traditional, involves multiple paddlers who use single-ended paddles. 

History

The history of canoeing begins with origins as a primary use for transportation, war, and trade by a range of people, from Native Americans to Polynesians. Made from tree bark, animal skins, and logs, the canoes built during this time period ranged from 3 to 30 meters in length. Over time, it was reworked into professional and recreational use for hunting and fishing. By the 1860’s, canoeing finally took its form as an official sport, specifically by John MacGregor, who was a prominent figure in developing sailing cones, paddles, and canoeing as a recreation and official sport.

Playing Surface

Canoeing can be done wherever there is a body of water. Canoeing takes place in large bays, lakes, rivers, or other smaller bodies of water, while larger bodies of water such as oceans are not as favored. Canoers often prefer locations that do not have strong currents, waves or winds, so that they have a smooth ride on calm waters. 

Canoeing Equipment

There are several essentials needed before heading into the water.

Here is the essential canoeing equipment you should have:

• Canoe
• Dry Bags
• Emergency floating throw line
• Helmet (if needed)
• Paddle
• Personal flotation device 

Objectives

The objective when canoeing is to travel on water with the propelling of a paddle. When canoeing competitively in canoe slalom, individuals must navigate through rapid rivers and finish in the quickest time possible. In canoe sprints, individuals are lined up and whoever reaches the finish line first, wins. Both of these require agility, speed, and skill.

Rules and Regulations

There are not many recreational canoeing rules besides following the area’s regulations, wearing a lifejacket, being precautious, and knowing the water’s course. In canoe slalom, athletes cannot touch a gate pole or take on a gate incorrectly. Otherwise, they receive penalties. Additionally, if athletes are tied in the first two runs, semi-finals, and finals, they share the gold medal for first place. In canoe sprints, athletes must stay in their lane and are allowed a false start. However, if they make a false start twice, they are disqualified. In both competitions, the athletes’ canoe must stick to specific guidelines. 

Here are the essential canoeing rules you should know:

• Wear a lifejacket
• Be precautious and aware of your surroundings
• Follow the water-course

Strokes and Techniques

Recreational canoeing is not an extremely skillful sport; it is quite relaxed and simple with the proper equipment and calm waters. However, when competing competitively or in more challenging locations, there are a few essential paddle strokes and skills that can be used to improve techniques. The forward, draw, cross draw, stern pry, and J strokes are all paddling strokes that require rotation of the torso as well as full body strength to propel the canoe forward and paddle properly through the water. 

Here are the most important canoeing paddling strokes you should know:

• Forward stroke
• Draw stroke
• Cross draw stroke
• Stern pry stroke
• J stroke

Lingo

Here is the common lingo and slang in canoeing:

• Amidships: The center or middle of a canoe
• Bailer: A scoop used for picking up accumulated water from the bottom of the canoe
• Belly: The bottom of the canoe
• Draft: The amount of water a canoe takes in
• Flotation: Buoyant material added to the ends of a canoe to let it stay afloat
• Hull: The frame of the canoe
• Leeward: The direction the wind is blowing in
• Ribs: The support laterally, which are on the inside of the canoe providing structural strength
• Tracking: Working a canoe upstream with ropes against the current

Athletes

The all time best canoeing athlete is Brigit Fischer, who performed in the Olympic Games, won 8 gold medals, 4 silver medals, has a rating of 56, and a career lasting nearly 24 years. Next is Ger Fredriksson, who won 6 gold and 1 silver medal and has a rating of 39. These are the top two male and female canoers, but there are many others who are great paddling athletes. 

Here are the most famous canoeing athletes you should know:

• Birgit Fischer
• Gert Fredriksson
• Danuta Kozák
• Ivan Patzaichin
• Katalin Kovács

Competitions and Tournaments

The International Canoeing Federation and the American Canoe Association are two governing bodies that host canoeing competitions. The events and competitions are often split up between the types of races held, including canoe sprint, slalom, marathon, freestyle, wildwater, and more. There are many events held nation and world wide, but the Olympic Games are the most sought after by athletes.

Here are the most popular tournaments in canoeing:

• Olympic Games: Consisting of slalom and sprint canoeing, the Olympic Games are the most popular competition that is held.
• ICF Canoe Marathon: Canoe marathon has competitors race from one point to another while navigating through obstacles and having to carry the boat at times if needed.
• ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships: An international event in canoe racing involving tandem or one-person canoes racing at different distances.
• ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships: An international event involving men and women in kayaks and canoes to race against one another.

Olympic Canoeing

In the Olympic Games, the two types of races that are held are slalom and sprint. Canoe slalom uses the same technique as a canoe sprint, but the boats used are smaller, lighter, and allow for athletes to maneuver easily through rapids. Canoe slalom made its debut in the 1972 Munich Games, with four events held for the sport. The canoe sprint first took place in 1924 in Paris, and Europe continues to dominate these races. The boats involved in this race are more long and streamlined to allow for greater speed. Both of these races are famously held in the Olympic Games. 

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