Canoeing/Kayaking Handout PDF

Canoeing/Kayaking Handout History: Canoeing is the practice of getting into a small boat and using a single bladed paddle to propel yourself forward in the water. A Canoe is usually an open deck boat where people are in a seated or kneeling rowing position. Kayaking is similar to canoeing where an i...

Canoeing/Kayaking Handout History: Canoeing is the practice of getting into a small boat and using a single bladed paddle to propel yourself forward in the water. A Canoe is usually an open deck boat where people are in a seated or kneeling rowing position. Kayaking is similar to canoeing where an individual is in a small craft with the goal of propelling oneself forward, but differently then a canoe, a kayak is a closed deck boat where the individual is in a seated position with their legs placed straight in front of them and using a double bladed paddle to steer and propel. Rules: The objective of Canoe Sprint is a simple one: to reach the finish line in the fastest possible time. Canoe Sprint can be performed in either a canoe boat or a kayak boat with a number of different competitors inside and across varying degrees of distance. There are currently twelve different events for Canoe Sprint at the Olympics, which are all listed below. The letter denotes the type of boat used (“C” for canoe, “K” for kayak) and the number signifies the amount of athletes competing in that boat: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Men’s C-1 200 meters Men’s C-1 1000 meters Men’s K-2 1000 meters Men’s K-1 200 meters Men’s K-1 1000 meters Men’s K-2 200 meters Men’s K-2 1000 meters Men’s K-4 1000 meters Women’s K-1 200 meters Women’s K-1 500 meters Women’s K-2 500 meters Women’s K-4 500 meters Players & Equipment: The specific equipment used in a Canoe Sprint event depends on the length of the race, the type of race and also the number of participants involved. Canoe Racing Events: Canoe boats are pushed and steered through the water using a paddle with a single blade, with athletes positioning themselves on one knee whilst placing the opposite leg in front of them for maximum stability and control. Most Canoe Sprint boat paddles are constructed with a wooden handle for strong grip, a carbon fiber shaft and a carbon fiber blade. Kayak Racing Events: Kayak boats are pushed through the water using a paddle with a double blade with athletes using their feet to steer the boat via a rudder. Paddles used for kayak sprint boats are typically constructed with carbon fiber material and/or fiberglass. Lanes: Each boat in Canoe Sprint is assigned their own lane, which they must rigidly stick to throughout the race. Any boat that drifts outside of a 5-meter boundary will risk being disqualified. Scoring: There is no scoring process in place in Canoe Sprint. It is simply a case of powering the boat to reach the finish line in the fastest possible time in order to win the race. Races can sometimes be neck-and-neck right up until the end and when this happens it may require a “photo finish” to determine which athlete/team won the race. Whichever boat’s bow (tip or end of the boat) crosses the line first is awarded the win. Relevant facts: (relevant facts for common knowledge surrounding the recreational aspect of the sport) Ranging from 3m to over 30m in length, canoes throughout history have been made from logs, animal skins and tree bark and were used for basic transportation, trade, and in some instances, for war. The winner of a Canoe Sprint race is the athlete/team that reaches the finish line first. In the Olympics, there are initially a series of “heat” races held. The better the athlete/team performs in the heats, the greater chance they have of making it to the final race, where the boat that crosses the finish line before any other is awarded the gold medal. Winners of a heat or semi-final will be assigned the central lanes in the subsequent races. If there is a tie between two boats, both will progress to the next race, with one of the boats competing in the spare lane known as the “0” lane. If there are not enough lanes to accommodate all boats, the boats that tie will compete in another race to determine who will go through. If there is a tie in the final, both athletes/teams will be awarded gold. Safety Considerations: Casual Canoeing To get into your canoe - Have someone hold the canoe steady - you don't want to tip the canoe before you even get out on the water - Crouch low - keep your knees bent - Grab the sides for balance - Always walk along the center - keeping your feet on the centerline will help keep the canoe from rocking While canoeing - Always wear your lifejacket - you never know when you might fall out or tip over unexpectedly. - Avoid sudden movements- rocking from side to side could cause the canoe to tip over. - Be aware of currents in the water - you don't want to end up floating farther downstream than you planned. If the current starts to pull you along faster or you see lots of rocks in the water ahead of you paddle away from them or paddle towards the shore. - Always sit on the seats - sitting on the side of a canoe will cause it to tip over. - Stay away from low hanging trees near shore - Do not canoe in bad weather - Avoid having big waves hit the side of your canoe - always try to keep your canoe at a right angle to the waves otherwise the wave might push your canoe over. Tipping over - Do not panic - Stay with your canoe - Paddle of push to shore - flip and dump water out - Extra clothes in a sealed bag Required equipment: Competitive - Canoe: A specialized canoe designed for whitewater, usually made of high-density polyethylene, fiberglass or Kevlar. - Paddle: A specialized paddle designed for slalom, typically shorter and wider than a standard paddle for flatwater canoeing. The blade is also angled for better control. - Personal Flotation Device (PFD): A life jacket that must be worn at all times while on the water. - Helmet: A specialized helmet designed to protect the head from impacts and to provide a secure fit for the chin strap. - Nose Clip: A small clip worn on the nose to prevent water from entering the nostrils during submersion. - Spray Deck or Skirt: A neoprene cover that attaches to the cockpit rim of the canoe to keep water out and to aid in the canoe's buoyancy. - Wetsuit or Drysuit: A specialized suit made of neoprene or other waterproof material that helps protect the body from cold water and provides additional buoyancy. - Shoes/Booties: Specialized shoes made of neoprene or other waterproof material that help protect the feet from cold water and provide grip on the canoe. Casual - A paddle - A canoe/kayak - Sun protection - hats, sunscreen, long sleeves if needed - First aid - Food and water - for longer journeys - Life jackets/personal floatation device - Map - If needed for longer trips as well - Proper clothing/footwear Important - Tie all your equipment in your canoe - Put your equipment into a waterproof bag to keep it dry and tie it to one of the center beams in the canoe so that you don't lose everything if your canoe tips over. Local clubs: https://wrccpaddle.com/ Wascana Racing Canoe Club is a sprint racing canoe/kayak club located on Wascana Lake. They provide youth and adults with fun paddling opportunities and have produced national and international level athletes. Super great website for the Wascana Canoe Club, easy to register or rent a canoe/kayak. References https://www.canoeicf.com/history - Relevant Facts https://www.eekwi.org/engage/outdoor-safety/canoe-safety-tips - Safety https://www.rulesofsport.com/sports/canoe-sprint.html - Rules https://www.topendsports.com/sport/canoeing/equipment.htm - Competitive Rules https://wrccpaddle.com/ - Wascana Canoe Club https://www.live-production.tv/case-studies/sports/olympic-games-2012-canoe-sprint.html - Canoe Sprint Picture