Competitors in canoeing events kneel in their open-topped canoes.
They use a paddle with a single blade. They grip the top of the paddle by its handle.

Competitors in kayaking events sit in their closed-topped kayaks.
They use a paddle with a blade at each end. They grip the middle of the paddle.

The kayak has a small rudder and the competitors use their feet to move the rudder and so steer the kayak.

Men and women compete in canoeing and kayaking events.

Some events are for just one competitor in a boat. They are called singles events. Other events are for boats with two competitors. They are called doubles events.

Some canoeing/kayaking events are held on a river where the water is 'flat'. These are called 'sprint' events.

Other events called slalom events are held on a course of rushing water and are called 'whitewater' events. In slalom events, there are poles set through the course of rushing water, and they are called gates. Competitors must zig zag around the gates through the course. The competitor with the fastest time wins.

History
Thousands of years ago the first canoes and kayaks were used as transport by hunters of caribou, fish, birds, and sea mammals such as seal, sea otter, walrus, and whale. Canoes and kayaks were used on rivers, lakes and in the sea.

A woman competing in a canoe singles event

For more information about this sport go to http://www.canoe.org.au/default.asp?MenuID=Disciplines/97/0

To read about canoe/kayak events at the London 2012 Olympic Games, go here:
http://www.london2012.com/canoe-slalom
http://www.london2012.com/canoe-sprint

Acknowledge this source in your bibliography like this:
Thomas, Ron. & Sydenham, Shirley. Canoeing/Kayaking. [Online] www.kidcyber.com.au (2011)

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Updated April 2012 ©kidcyber