Our Sibling Sports
"We are in this together: the enemy is complacency, Xbox and Doritos. :)" --Chair of Freestyle committee Risa Shimoda
Wildwater
In Wildwater Racing events, the paddlers have to race their fast, long, narrow craft down a whitewater river in the fastest time possible. Competitoin involves Classic races, which can be up to half an hour in duration, and the spectator-friendly Sprint, which is usually 400m to 800 m in length, where each run lasts just a few exciting minutes.
For more information, follow this link to the USA Wildwater Racing Site. http://www.USAwildwater.com/
Sprint
In Sprint Racing events, also called Flatwater Racing, paddlers race on a straight course, each boat in a separate lane, over three different distances. This form of racing became an Olympic discipline in 1936 and its programme includes events over 500m and 1000m.
More information is available on the USACK website: http://canoekayak.usoc.org/content/index/697
Freestyle
Freestyle kayaking, formerly called "rodeo," is a white water competition in which paddlers perform a range of acrobatic tricks and manoeuvres on a river feature such as a wave or hole. The discipline is enjoyed by many as a recreational sport and at the top level by those participating in competitions both nationally and internationally.
More information available at the USAFK website, http://www.usafreestylekayak.com/, and at http://www.worldkayak.com/
Open Canoe Slalom Racing
There's an active group, affiliated with the ACA, that races slalom in traditional open canoes. See http://ocs.whitewater-slalom.us/
Open Canoe Wildwater Racing
Open canoe wildwater racing is also popular. See http://www.americancanoe.org/Ocdownriver/ocdrhome.htm
Canoe Polo
Despite the name, Canoe Polo is usually played in specialty kayaks. A team sport, combining elements of water polo, basketball and canoeing. The game is played by two teams of five players each, trying to score goals with a waterpolo ball in a net suspended above the water.
More information available on the USACK website: http://canoekayak.usoc.org/content/index/701
Marathon, ICF style
Marathon Racing involves paddling sleek racing craft over long distances, on either the flatwater of lakes, and dams, or the flowing water of a river. Traditional Marathon Racing competitions, like ICF World Cup and World Championships, involve a fixed flatwater course with regular portages, where the paddler must carry the canoe or kayak. Each race lasts approximately 3 hours.
More information on the USACK website: http://canoekayak.usoc.org/content/index/700
Marathon, North American Style
Marathon Canoe Racing in North America differs from the International style in that canoeists typically sit, rather than high kneel, and use a switching technique. There are both amateur and pro series.
More information here: http://www.uscanoe.com/