Canoeing

Canoeing is a sport or recreational activity which involves paddling a canoe with a single-bladed paddle. In some parts of Europe canoeing refers to both canoeing and kayaking, with a canoe being called a Canadian canoe.

An ancient mode of transportation, modern canoeing was established in the late 19th century. In 1924, canoeing associations from Austria, Germany, Denmark and Sweden founded the Internationalen Representation for Kanusport, forerunner of the International Canoe Federation. Canoeing became part of the Olympic Games in the summer of 1936.

The main form of competitive sport was sprint canoe. Others include canoe polo, whitewater canoeing, canoe marathon, ICF canoe marathon, and playboating.

National canoe associations include the American, Canadian, British, Scottish, and Welsh.

A recreational form of canoeing is canoe camping.

Types of canoes include:

Recreational canoes: These are the most widely used canoes because of their light weight and durability. They are usually made of aluminium or plastic. They can be found at most sporting goods store, and are available to rent at some public lakes and rivers.

Intermediate or advanced canoes: These are improved versions of standard canoes, offering more comfort and increased speed. These are designed for canoeing enthusiasts, who often use them for fishing or bird-watching.

Whitewater canoes: These are engineered for whitewater and river paddling. They offer better safety, allowing the user to tie on floation bags which prevent the boat from sinking if it flips or takes water accidentally. They have higher sides, which help prevent water from entering into the boat. It is easier to turn these canoes sharply because of their flat bottom.

Racing canoes: These are strictly for professionals and sporting activities. They may be made of Kevlar, fiberglass or composite materials, which makes these canoes ultra-lightweight and strong. They have a different design from other canoes, with narrower beams and closed decks for better tracking. These are classified into two groups: flatwater and whitewater racing canoes.