Canoe and Kayak Disciplines

There are many different facets of canoeing and kayaking with different disciplines suiting a wide variety of personalities, skills and interests.

Strictly speaking, what is generally referred to as “canoeing” in South Africa is usually kayaking, with almost all racing in South Africa taking place in kayaks, but paddlers have a choice ranging from flatwater and dam sprinting, to multi-day marathons on fast-flowing rivers, to fast downwind racing in the sea, to self expression in freestyle and waveski competitions.

It is generally accepted that kayaks were used by Eskimos to hunt in the northern oceans, while variations of canoes have been used all over the world from Africa, to Asia, to Europe. Arguably the most widely-recognised form of a canoe is that used by traditional North American Indians. 

In simple terms, kayaks are propelled by a paddler sitting and using a two-bladed paddle on both sides of the kayak, while canoeists kneel and use a single-bladed paddle on one-side of the craft.

The most popular canoeing (or kayaking) discipline in South Africa is river marathon racing where hundreds of paddlers compete in events such as the Dusi, Fish, Berg, Vaal and other single or multi-day events, usually racing from point A to point B down a river. Internationally the two Olympic disciplines are sprint, and slalom and cross. 

In South Africa, surfski or ocean racing is very popular and growing, while we are also very strong in flatwater marathon racing and have produced a number of world champions in both forms of kayak racing.