Beijing Olympics 2008 Flatwater Events

History of Canoe/ Kayak FlatWater Sports:

• For centuries, canoeing flatwater was used for transport, fishing and hunting.
• Competitive canoeing Kayak FlatWater Sports started in the mid-19th century.
• The Royal Canoe Kayak FlatWater Sports Club of London was formed in 1866.
• The New York Canoe Kayak FlatWater Sports Club was formed in 1871.
• Today competition is contested in Canadian style canoes or kayaks.
• World championships in canoeing/ Kayak FlatWater Sports began in 1938.
• The first international federation to govern canoeing was the Internationale Representantskapet för Kanotidrott (IRK) which was formed in 1924.
• Canoeing/ Kayak FlatWater Sports was included in the Olympic program as a demonstration sport in 1924.
• In 1936, Kayak FlatWater Sports began to be contested as a full medal sport.
• Women canoeing / Kayak FlatWater Sports events were introduced in 1948.
• Europe dominates the Kayak FlatWater Sports at the Olympic Games.
• Olympic events are held over 500 and 1000 meters.
• Events are held for men with one, two, or four paddlers in a canoe or kayak.
• Women compete only in kayak events in singles, doubles, and quads.

Venue for Canoe/ Kayak FlatWater Sports:

The canoe/kayak event of the 29th Olympic Games will be held at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park on the side of Chaobai River in the Shunyi District of Beijing from August 11-23, 2008.

Equipment for Canoe / Kayak FlatWater Sports:

• Canoe: A light, narrow, open boat.
• Blade: The wide part of a paddle.
• Cockpit: The enclosed space in a kayak or slalom canoe.
• Deck: A closed-in area over the bow to shed water and strengthen the gunwales.
• Double-bladed paddle: A paddle with a blade at each end.
• Grip: The end of a canoe paddle opposite from the blade.
• Hull: The frame or body of a boat.
• Kayak: A watertight canoe.
• Single-bladed paddle: A paddle with a blade at one end.
• Paddle: Has one flat blade at the end of the shaft.
• Spray skirts: Sealed into the boat to prevent water from entering.

Competition Format:

• Heats, semifinals and finals will be held in each event.
• The number of Kayaks or Canoes in each heat and in the final must not exceed nine.
• The first boat whose bow crosses the finish line, with all crew members in it will be declared winner.
• The division into heats will be based on the previous World Championships finals.
• The distribution of lanes will be in accordance with the Division System by ICF Rules.

The Course:

• The standard ICF courses will be used for races all over the world.
• Technical installations and equipment as defined in "The ICF Manual for Canoe Championships" must be made available.
• Full details of the course concerned must be submitted in writing to Chair of Flat water Racing Committee.
• The concerned federation is responsible for the inspection of the course.
• Rules and regulations will be defined by the ICF Board of Directors (or the Flat water Racing Committee).
• The racing course shall be measured and marked 5 hours prior to the race.

Athlete Quota:

• 172 men
• 74 women
• Total of 246 athletes

Events of Canoe/ Kayak FlatWater Sports In Beijing Olympics 2008