Canoe Sprint Races
In the sport of Canoe Sprint, athletes paddle a canoe along a flat course over distances between 200m and 5,000m. There are also sprint kayak events. Canoe events differ kayaking in that canoeist have only a single blade oar. The athlete also often kneels facing forward in the canoe.
In the standard kneeling position, called the striding position, one knee is on the deck and the other foot forward allowing an open stance to pull the paddle down through the water on their preferred side of the canoe.
kneeling sprint canoe technique Sprint canoe races are held on flat water with competitors assigned to lanes, and the course is a straight line. Races are over distances of 200m, 500m, 1000m and 5000m. Competitors can be in single, double or quadruple boats (C1, C2 and C4). The aim is to get to the finish line as fast as possible, the quickest time wins.
Sprint kayak events have been contested at the Olympics since 1936. At the Olympics, races are only over distances between 200 and 1000m, and only in C1 and C2 canoes.
Similar Sports
- Canoeing — paddle sport in which the rider kneels or sits facing forward in a canoe.
- Sprint Kayaking — sprint kayak racing on flat water over distances from 200m to 1000m.
- Outrigger Canoeing — racing using a type of canoe featuring one or more lateral support floats known as outriggers, which are fastened to one or both sides of the main hull.
- Dragon Boat Racing — a paddling sport using a long boat with many paddlers.
Related Pages
- Canoe Marathon Races at the Olympics
- Basic Rules of Sprint Canoeing/Kayaking
- About Paddling Sports
- Complete list of sports
- The Encyclopedia of Sports
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