Kayaking

Sprint kayaking is an Olympic sport held on flat water over 500 metres. At World Championship level there is also a 1000m and 200m event. Competitors race in a single (k1), double (k2) or four man (k4) kayak over the distance from a stationary start. Competitions are held on a straight course with 9 lanes. Top specification race boats are high tech, relatively unstable and made from carbon fibre. A sprint k1 must weigh at least 12kg to be allowed to race. They have a small rudder at the rear to aid turning when necessary and for helping to keep the kayak in a straight line when racing.

 To find your nearest canoe and kayak club visit the British Canoe Union website club locator here or the Start Paddlesport site here. To find out more about the national sprint canoe and kayak team see the Great Britain canoeing site here.