There are two types of kayaks: kayaks and rowing boats. The kayak originated from a small boat made by the Eskimos in Greenland. This kind of boat is made of whale skin or otter skin wrapped on a bone frame, and paddled with an oar with blades at both ends. Rowing originated in Canada, so it is also called Canadian rowing. In fact, both types of boats evolved from canoes, so some countries and regions in Southeast Asia, such as Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Hong Kong, Macau and other places, call kayaks canoes.
Modern canoeing began in 1865. The Scotsman McGregor used the canoe as a blueprint and imitated a small boat named "Nobu-Noy", which was 4.57 meters long and wide. 0.76 meters and weighs 30 kilograms. In 1867, the Royal Canoe Club he founded held the first canoe competition. Since then, kayaking has gradually emerged. By the end of the 19th century, kayaking has become a widely carried out sports activity in European and American countries.
In January 1924, Denmark, Sweden, France and Austria initiated the establishment of the "International Rowing Congress", abbreviated as IRK, in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, and drafted the charter of the Congress and the first kayak. The rules of the rowing competition stipulate that the types of boats in the competition include kayaks, rowing boats and sailing boats. The competition distances are 1,500 meters and 10,000 meters. The competition forms include ordinary competitions and relay races. After World War II, the International Canoe Federation was replaced by the International Canoe Federation (FIC).
During the 8th Olympic Games held in Paris, France in 1924, Canadian and American athletes held a rowing exhibition race on the Seine River. The competition at that time required the same rowing boat to compete once with a double-blade oar and then use it again. Single blade oar race once. It was not until 1936 that kayaks and rowing entered official competitions together. Women's competition first appeared in kayaking in 1948. Rowing is a very popular sport in Europe, which also makes them dominant in this competition. More than 90 Olympic medals have been won by European countries. The slalom event first appeared on the Olympic stage in 1972. This is an emerging event that was developed after World War II. There was no slalom event from 1976 to 1988, but it was restored in 1992 and has continued to this day. There are three gold medals for men and one gold medal for women.
In Olympic Games, canoe flat water competitions usually share a water track with rowing competitions. In order to meet the needs of rowing competitions, the track must meet the following minimum measurement range requirements:
Length 1,400 meters (straight line distance), width 120 meters, minimum depth 2 meters; there is at least one straight bank next to the channel, and the maximum distance from the first channel is 50 meters. The river bank is a gentle wave-proof slope, built into a network of large rocks or other special materials so that the rolling waves will not overflow the river bank. A dedicated channel is set up on the water surface to allow competitors to enter the competition area or training area.
The canoe flatwater Olympic competition distances are 1000 meters and 500 meters. The competition uses 9 channels, each channel is 9 meters wide; when arranging the competition channels, it must be arranged according to the "A1-bano" system stipulated in the rules. The use of automatic starters and electronic timing systems is mandatory at the Olympic Games.
The hulls of modern kayaks and rowing boats are mostly made of wooden frames, and the hulls are made of aviation plywood or fiberglass. They have a streamlined shape, a smooth surface, are light and narrow, and are as long and narrow as a shuttle. Except for the athletes' cockpit, which is open, all decks in the front and rear are completely enclosed.
The kayak has a double-bladed paddle. When paddling, the athlete sits in the cabin, facing forward, holding an oar with blades at both ends in both hands, paddling on both sides of the boat in turn, and turning the rudder with their feet. to control the course. Rowing is a single-blade oar. The athlete kneels on the boat with one leg and a square step with the other leg. He holds a single-blade oar up and down in both hands. There are left and right paddles. Rowing boats have no rudder, and athletes rely on oars to maintain balance and control direction.