All About Olympic Canoeing

The sport canoes in the olympics is more exciting if you understand the rules. The fundamentals of Flatwater Sprint and Slalom.

Canoeing events have been a part of the Olympic Games since the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. The rapid growth in interest in Olympic Canoeing can be partially attributed to its appeal as a power and speed sport. Another reason for its popularity is the fact that the sport is familiar to most people, at least in concept. While the general public may not know the specific rules governing Olympic Canoeing, the concept is one we can all identify with. There are two types of Olympic canoeing competitions, the flat water Sprint and the Slalom. The flat water Sprint, as the name implies, takes place on calm and open water. There are 12 sprint events in Olympic competition. Men compete in single and double canoes and single and double kayaks at a distance of 500 and 1000 meters. There is also a 4-man canoe event that covers 1,000 meters. Women compete in single, double and four women kayaks in 500 meter races.

The course is divided into nine lanes, each lane being 9 meters wide. Depending on how many entries are in an event, the race is run through a series of heats, culminating in a semi- final and then final race. The winner of the race is the one whose bow point, or the tip of the boat, crosses the finish line first. The canoes that are used for the flat water Sprints are open decked, and the paddler rows from a kneeling position. The paddle used is a single bladed paddle.

Slalom racing takes place on either a natural course, such as a river, or a manmade competition area. The course is marked by a series of gates, normally twenty-five, that the paddler must traverse. This is a white water event. The race is, of course decided by time, but touching gates with any part of your body or canoe, or missing gates entirely, adds penalty points to your time. Men compete in single and double canoe and men's single kayak in the slalom, and women compete in the single kayak event. Due to the rougher water conditions in the slalom, the canoe competitors use closed top canoes for this event.

Both the flat water and slalom events require a combination of strength and endurance. The slalom event also requires the participants to be able to find the most direct route through swirling water to the finish line. This requires a good deal of experience, planning, and also a bit of luck.

For young people interested in canoeing events in International competitions, there are also junior events in both flat water racing and the slalom. These events are a training ground for future elite athletes in this sport. Many colleges and universities also serve as training grounds in these water sports. Another way to gain information on the various canoeing sports is by joining a club in your area. In the United States alone, there are affiliates of USA Canoe and Kayak in every state. Contact your local chapter for information in participating in, or just watching, these exciting events.

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