A whalebone and driftwood frame, with a sea-lion skin stretched tautly over it and waterproofed with whale fat, hardly suggests a budding Olympic sport. Yet the kayaks that meant life to the Inuits in the Arctic for centuries have become the racing kayaks of the modern world - even if the building materials have changed.

The link was 19th century British barrister John MacGregor. He studied the ancient kayaks, designed a similar boat and disappeared into the rivers and lakes of Europe's wilderness to become a noted travel writer of his time. When others copied his boat, he founded the Royal Canoe Club, and canoe regattas began a year later in 1866.

Canoe/kayak, consisting solely of the sprint, was a demonstration competition at the 1924 Olympic Games before gaining full-medal status in 1936. Europe remains the traditional power base, led by Germany, Sweden and the athletes of the former Soviet Union.

Discipline's origin

Many years ago, canoeing began as a mode of transport. Canoes were used for fishing and hunting, and as a means for carrying soldiers into battle. There are two basic types of canoe. The original canoe, an open-topped bark canoe, was a dug-out type developed by Native North Americans. In the northern Arctic regions, the Aleuts and Inuits developed the close-topped kayak, which kept the frigid Arctic waters from entering the canoe. The kayaks were made by stretching animal skins over a frame of wood.

Competition in canoes began in the mid-19th century. The Royal Canoe Club of London was formed in 1866 and was the first organisation interested in developing the sport. In 1871 the New York Canoe Club was founded. Today competition is contested in either Canadian style canoes, similar to the dug-out Indian style canoe, or kayaks.

World championships in canoeing began in 1938. The first international federation to govern canoeing was the Internationale Representantskapet för Kanotidrott (IRK) which was formed in 1924. After World War II, this organisation was succeeded by the Fédération Internationale de Canoë (FIC).

Olympic history

In 1924, canoeing was on the Olympic programme as a demonstration sport. Canoeing became a full medal sport in 1936 with both canoe and kayak events. The programme has varied a great deal over the years with many events now discontinued and several new ones added. Women began Olympic canoeing, competing only in kayaks, in 1948.


Canoeing is popular in Europe, which absolutely dominates the sport at the Olympic Games and in international competition. Over 90% of all Olympic medals in canoeing have been won by European nations. The trend in recent years has been towards shorter races. Initially, world championship races were contested over 1000 and 10,000 metres for men and 5000 metres for women. However, the longest distance races were discontinued after the 1956 Olympics and the 1993 World Championships. World Championships are now contested over 200, 500, and 1000 metres, while Olympic events are held over 500 and 1000 metres. Events are held for men with one, two, or four paddlers in a canoe or kayak. Women compete only in kayak events both at the Olympics and internationally, in singles, doubles, and quads.

Canoe / Kayak Flatwater equipment

Canoe

A light, narrow, open boat propelled by one or more paddlers from a kneeling position, using single-bladed paddles.

Blade

The wide part of a paddle which passes through the water.

Cockpit

The enclosed space in a kayak or slalom canoe where the paddler or paddlers sit.

Deck

The closed-in area over the bow and/or stem of a canoe or kayak, intended to shed water and strengthen the gunwales.

Double-bladed paddle

A paddle with a blade at each end, used in kayaks to paddle on each side of the boat.

Grip

The end of a canoe paddle opposite from the blade.

Hull

The frame or body of a boat.

Kayak

Any of various light canoes imitating an Inuit hunting craft made watertight by a flexible closure around the waist of the seated occupant.

Single-bladed paddle

A paddle with a blade at one end.

Paddle

The canoe paddler uses a paddle which has one flat blade on one end of the paddle shaft, which may not be fixed to the boat in any way.

Spray skirts

Paddlers wear spray skirts which attach around the cockpit and seal them into the boat to prevent water from entering.