Flatwater Canoeing

Officially named the 'Games of the XXIX Olympiad' - the 2008 Summer Olympics will be held from August 8, 2008 to August 24, 2008, at Beijing - the capital of People's Republic of China. One of the ancient cities of China, Beijing is the most important center for international trade and communications in the country. Flatwater Canoeing is one of the prominent Canoe-kayak events featuring among the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics Sports.

Flatwater Canoe/kayak, as an event was introduced as a demonstration competition at the 1924 Olympic Games. The sport gained full-medal status in the 1936 Olympics. The flatwater canoeing event in 2008 Beijing Olympics will be held at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park on the side of Chaobai River in Beijing's Shunyi District. The time for the event is slated for August 11-23, 2008.

In flatwater canoeing, participants race each other in kayaks and canoes over a clearly defined unobstructed course to reach the finishing line in the shortest possible time. Europeans dominate the sport, led by Germany, Sweden and countries of the former Soviet Union.

Initially, Flatwater racing in Olympics were contested over 1000 and 10,000 meters for men and 5000 meters for women. But such longest distance races were discontinued after the 1956 Olympics. Flatwater Canoeing in 2008 Beijing Olympics will be held over 500 and 1000 meters. Events for men will include flatwater canoeing with one, two, or four paddlers in a canoe or kayak. Women's events will only include kayak events in singles, doubles, and quads. The rules for flatwater canoeing in Beijing Olympics state that names of the competitors will feature on the side of the kayaks or canoes.

The Flatwater canoe-kayak equipments include:

• Canoe - A light open boat propelled by single-bladed paddles.
• Blade - the wide part of a paddle that wades through the water
• Cockpit - the enclosed space in a kayak for the paddler(s) to sit
• Deck - the closed-in area over the bow of the boat, from where water can be shed and gunwales strengthened.
• Double-bladed paddle - paddle with a blade at each end
• Grip - the end of the paddle opposite to the blade
• Hull - frame of a boat
• Kayak - light canoe that is made watertight by a flexible closure around the waist of the paddler
• Single-bladed paddle
• Spray Skirts - Paddlers wear these watertight skirts, which attach around the cockpit and seal them into the boat