Flatwater at FCRCC
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It is the Olympic style kayak (KI, K2, K4) and high kneel "C" boats (C1, C2,C4) that, as many beginners learn quickly, are quite prone to tipping. This kind of paddling discipline is highly specialized and very dramatic to watch. Races are generally 250m, 500m and 1000m. They are the paddling equivalent of the 100 meter sprint. Canoe and Kayaks are one of Canada's oldest and most historically significant sports. It was the Voyageurs who opened up the Canadian wilderness using their birch bark canoes and played a vital role in the development of the country. |
The canoe and kayak were the primary modes of transportation for the aboriginal and Inuit peoples. Later Europeans used them as a mode of transportation as well as a pleasure craft. However, it has taken centuries to transform the original shells made of stretched seal skin over a whalebone and driftwood frame into the high-tech composite carbon and fibreglass racing shells of today.
Credit for the original promotion of kayaking as sport generally goes to John MacGregor who built his own version of the kayak. John paddled and wrote about the lakes and rivers of a Europe and in 1866 established the Royal Canoe Club. Popularity grew throughout Europe and North America until in 1936 the sport became a medal event at the Berlin Games.
A fact that is often overlooked is that FCRCC was founded by a flatwater kayak paddler, Canadian Olympian and gold medal winner Hugh Fisher, and that other flatwater paddlers such as Don Irvine and Heather Taylor played key roles in the early years of the club. Since that time, flatwater has remained an important element of the club, although not as popular as dragon boat or outrigger.
Recently, flatwater has seen an increase in popularity as adult outrigger and dragon boat paddlers look for more challenging cross-training opportunities, and young paddlers get into the sport through our relatively new junior flatwater programs.
With respect to cross-training, paddling a K1 or C1 forces the paddler to have excellent core stability and balance. Also, being extremely small and light craft, the people who paddle in them may feel a much greater connection with the water than in the heavier, more stable craft.
For more information on junior flatwater or introductory paddling clinics for adults, see the Programs section of the web site. Courses are available seasonally.