The consensus is that kayaking is a fun outdoor activity. The twists, turns, and different gear needed for a successful kayaking expedition have all the looks of a sport. Join us as we look at kayaking beyond the family bonding time and sun basking, as we answer the question, “Is kayaking a sport?”
Kayaking Origins
To understand kayaking as a sport, we must understand the Kayaking origins. In the early times, people mainly used kayaking for fishing or hunting. As a matter of fact, early users (Inuits) took advantage of the kayak’s stealthiness to sneak up on animals and hunt them. But in recent times kayaking has taken different forms and is now used recreationally and as a competitive sport worldwide.
Kayaking as a Sport
Kayaking is a popular watersport that uses a double-bladed paddle through water in a narrowboat called the kayak. The kayaker navigates the water by facing straight ahead and paddling on both sides. Kayaking as a sport is open to people of all ages.
Olympic Kayaking
Kayaking has become a large part of Olympic sport. As a result, Individual and team competitions in kayaking are prominent features of the summer Olympics. Furthermore, this Olympic sport, grouped with canoeing, consists of 16 medal events, four slalom racing events, and 12 flatwater sprints.
Athletes compete in two heats for the slalom races, with the best four times advancing to the semis and championship. Flatwater sprints consist of varying lengths for first place.
Kayaking Sport Types
1. Slalom
Canoe/Kayak Slalom (or whitewater slalom) is a competitive sport where players navigate through a series of gates on white water river rapids. The kayakers paddle their way through the turbulent waters to complete the course within the fastest time possible.
The boats used for this competitive sport are canoe boats (C) or kayak boats (K). Furthermore, these boats are specially designed in smaller dimensions to allow the athletes easily maneuver through the river rapids.
In the Canoe, the player kneels and uses a single-blades paddle, while the kayaker paddles using a double-blades paddle.
The Kayak Slalom made its first appearance as an Olympic sport in 1972 in West Germany but did not become a permanent fixture until 1992 in Barcelona, Spain with the sport currently featureing four main Olympic events:
Kayak event
- Men’s K-1: This features one man in a single kayak boat.
- Women’s K-1: One female in a single kayak boat.
Canoe event
- Men’s C-1: One man in a single canoe boat
- Men’s C-2: Two men in a double canoe boat (This has been dropped from Olympic events)
- Women’s C-1: One woman in a single canoe boat.
Players must first pass the two qualification rounds called the ‘heats’ to win the Slalom. The fastest boats move to the semi-final and have an opportunity to navigate the course. The fastest boats then proceed to the finale, and the top three boats are awarded.
Rules of Kayak Slalom
- Athletes that tie during the qualification rounds would be allowed to move to the semi finale. So also in semi-final and final where the players would share the gold medals.
- All players must cross the finish line in an upright position.
- The kayak boats must meet the Olympic requirement:
- Length: 3.50m
- Width: 0.6m
- Weight: 8kg
- Failure to follow the sport rules attract penalties– more seconds will be added to their finishing time. These actions might attract penalties:
- Taking a gate incorrectly (2 seconds extra time)
- Touching a gate pole with the paddle or kayak boat. (2 seconds extra time)
- Missing a pole. (50 seconds extra time)
- In case of capsizing, the player must regain an upright position to avoid disqualification.
- A pass counts when the head of the kayaker goes through the gates.
2. Sprint
The kayak sprint is a competition where the players race on flat waters using a kayak. The kayaker sits and uses the double-bladed paddle to navigate the boat through the calm water attempting to get to the finish line as fast as possible.
The Kayak/ Canoe Sprint was introduced as an Olympic event in 1936. Initially starting as a men’s sport, it has extended to include women since 1948.
The goal of the game is quite simple. The players paddle through the waters to get to the finish line in the fastest time possible. This sport can be played using a kayak boat (K) or a canoe boat (C).
These kayaks are propelled using the double-bladed paddle and steered using an udder by the player’s feet. In addition, the paddles used in this competitive sport are made with fiberglass or carbon fiber materials.
Depending on the event, there can be a varying number of players in this boat. Also, the Kayak Sprint currently has 12 major events in the Olympics. These includes:
Kayak event
- Men’s K-2: Two men in a single Kayak (200 meters)
- Women’s K-1: One woman in a single Kayak (200 meters)
- Men’s K-1: One man in a single Kayak (200 meters)
- Women’s K-1: One woman in a single Kayak (500 meters)
- Men’s K-1: One man in a single Kayak (1000 meters)
- Women’s K-4: Four women in a single Kayak (500 meters)
- Men’s K-2: Two men in a single Kayak (1000 meters)
- Women’s K-2: Two women in a single Kayak (500 meters)
- Men’s K-2: Two men in a single Kayak (1000 meters)
- Men’s K-4: Four men in a single Kayak (1000 meters)
Canoe Event
- Men’s C-1: One man in a single Canoe (200 meters)
- Men’s C-1: One man in a single Canoe (1000 meters)
Rules of Sprint Kayak
- The lanes are shared according to the performance during ‘heats.’ Winners are given center lanes which are slightly favorable.
- The players must cross the finish line upright to avoid disqualification.
- All boats would be reviewed after the game to ensure compliance. Where there is noncompliance, such a player will be disqualified.
- A player can protest caution or warning within 20 minutes after the end of the match.
- When a player’s paddle breaks, they won’t be offered a replacement.
- The Kayak Sprint takes place over 200m, 500m and 1000m.
- These fouls attract disqualification:
- Missing the race
- Taking two false starts
- Breaking the 5metre rule
- Arriving late for the race
3. Freestyle Kayaking
Freestyle kayaking, also known as playboating, is a kayaking sport that involves using performing technical skills in a single spot called the Playspot.
The moves and tricks performed are quite similar to those performed by surfers and skaters. In addition, the athletes have a given time to perform as many amazing tricks as possible, with points awarded for the quality and execution of the moves.
The freestyle water sport uses four types of boats. These boats are generally called playboats. They include:
- Kayak (K),
- Canoe decked (C),
- Open Canoe (OC) and
- Squirt
The competition runs for 45 seconds, and each player has to successfully attempt as many tricks and moves as possible before the time runs out. Each trick performed by the athletes attracts points, with more difficult ones earning more points.
There are four championships categorized based on the type of boats used with men, junior men, women and junior women subdivisions.
Although fun, freestyle kayaking is not included in the Olympics games. There have been clamors to add the freestyle to the sport as it is a fun and highly competitive game.
Rules of Freestyle Kayaking
- Only one single boat designer is allowed to be used throughout the event.
- Apart from the squirt boats, all other boats must be equipped with anchor points to lift, carry or rescue.
- All basic moves performed can only be awarded once per run.
- Using a boat that does not conform to the rules will attract disqualification.
- Where anyone other than the competitor pushes or moves the boat, this would attract disqualification.
Summary
Besides being a fun recreational activity, kayaking is also a very competitive sport. There are several forms of kayaking sports, including the Slalom, Sprint and the Freestyle kayaking. While Slalom and Sprint Kayaking are part of the Olympic sports, the freestyle kayaking has not been included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kayaking an Extreme Sport?
Yes, kayaking can be an extreme sport. Whitewater kayaking involves paddling through high current waters and rough terrains. This makes it an extreme sport.
What’s the difference between canoe and kayak in Olympic slalom?
The major difference between these two sports is the athlete’s position, and the paddle used. For Canoe Slalom, the athletes kneel and use a single-bladed paddle to navigate the boat. In contrast, the kayaker sits with legs in front and uses a double-bladed paddle.
How many Kayak events are in the Olympics?
There are two kayaking events in the Olympics. These are the Kayak Slalom and The Kayak Sprint.