The canoe represents the most ancient means of navigation on water, with a history dating back at least three millennia before Christ, as evidenced by records that testify to its use for activities such as fishing, hunting and even in war contexts. Learn all about Slalom Canoeing now!
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All about Slalom Canoeing: history of the sport
Although the emergence of the Slalom discipline began in 1932, directly influenced by the Ski Slalom competitions in Switzerland, the history of canoeing goes back even further;
However, the first traces date back to the 15th century BC, attributed to the Egyptians. There is also the theory that the Aztecs began to use oars to aid navigation around the 3rd century AD;
Some also say that canoeing originated in Greenland, where the Eskimos used canoes for fishing and work.
However, most scholars agree that in the 16th century, the first recognizable versions of canoes and kayaks appeared in the Canadian region, built from wood and animal skins, following a design that resembles contemporary models;
These canoes have their roots in the traditions of indigenous tribes, while kayaks are associated with the Eskimos.
The first club dedicated to canoeing, the Royal Canoe Club, was founded in 1865 on the outskirts of London, and in just three years it had already registered 300 different types of canoes;
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Subsequently, in 1924, the International Canoe Federation was created, whose task is to coordinate and regulate this sport at a global level.
The competitive format of slalom canoeing originated in 1932, inspired by downhill ski racing.
However, its development was interrupted by the advent of the Second World War, which broke out in 1939, just six years after the first canoe slalom competition was held in Switzerland.
The sport was introduced to Brazil in 1943 by the German José Wingen, who, recalling his experience as a competitor in Germany, built a wooden canoe;
However, the sport only gained real relevance in the country in the 1970s, when the first kayaks manufactured in Europe and Argentina began to arrive here. It was only in 1988 that the Brazilian Canoeing Confederation (CBCa) was established.
Although the sport made its Olympic debut in Munich in 1972, it took two decades before it became an official part of the Olympic Games, appearing for the first time in Barcelona in 1992.
Nowadays, kayaks are mostly made from polyester resin and fiberglass, but there are also models made from epoxy resin and carbon fiber, as well as those made from polyethylene.
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All about Slalom Canoeing: specifications, rules and categories
In the competition, the athletes face a course of 250 to 400 meters, full of rapids, where they have to navigate between 18 and 25 beacons, also known as gates, distinguished by color;
The green gates require a descent, while the red gates require an ascent. Strategically positioned in opposite directions, they promote great mobility for competitors.
In the individual races, the boats set off with an interval of one minute between each one, while in the team competitions, three boats set off simultaneously.
During the qualifying rounds, two descents are allowed and the best one is considered valid, while in the semi-finals and finals, only one descent is made.
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The Slalom Canoeing categories are divided into male and female:
Male
- K1: individual kayak
- C1: Canoa Individual
- C2: double canoe (with two participants)
Female
- K1: individual kayak
Penalties are applied in cases of touching the gates, adding 2 seconds to the athlete’s time, or when the correct direction or side of the goal is not followed, which carries a penalty of 50 seconds.
As far as the boats are concerned, in the kayak, the competitor remains seated and uses an oar with a paddle on each side, while in the canoe, the athlete kneels on the floor and uses only one paddle.
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All about Slalom Canoeing: difference to Speed Canoeing
Speed Canoeing and Slalom Canoeing are two distinct disciplines within the sport of canoeing, each with specific characteristics, rules and objectives:
Speed Canoeing (or Track Canoeing)
- Objective: the main objective is to cover a certain distance in the shortest possible time.
- Track: Speed Canoeing competitions take place on calm water tracks, such as lakes, rivers or canals, where there are no artificial obstacles.
- Modalities: the main modalities are C1 (single canoe), C2 (double canoe), K1 (single kayak) and K2 (double kayak).
- Trials: The most common trials include distances of 200 meters, 500 meters and 1000 meters, with some variations depending on the competition.
- Technique: athletes focus on rowing as quickly and efficiently as possible, without worrying about going around obstacles.
Canoe Slalom
- Objective: the aim is to complete a winding course full of rapids, going around a series of markers in the shortest time possible and without committing penalties.
- Piste: Canoe Slalom competitions take place on rivers or canals with rapids, where different colored gates are installed and competitors must go around them.
- Modalities: modalities include K1 (single kayak), C1 (single canoe) and C2 (double canoe).
- Trials: competitors must navigate a course defined by a series of green and red gates, each with specific passage rules. The total time of each descent is taken into account, plus penalties for touching the gates or navigational errors.
- Technique: In addition to speed, athletes need to demonstrate boat control skills in turbulent waters and the ability to make precise maneuvers to get around the markers.
In short, while Speed Canoeing focuses on pure speed on calm water courses, Slalom Canoeing is a more technical discipline that combines speed with navigation skills in turbulent waters and precise maneuvers to get around obstacles
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All about Slalom Canoeing: curiosities
- Zdzislaw Szubski, coach of the Brazilian speed canoeing team from 1994 to 2004, earned a place in the Guinness Book for his remarkable feat. In 1987, he rowed for 24 hours straight on a solo journey of almost 300km down the Vistula River in Poland. He is also the father of Sebastian Szubski, an athlete who represented Brazil at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, competing alongside Sebastián Cuattrin.
- At the 1988 Seoul Games, Australian Grant Davies was initially declared the winner of the K1 1,000 race, but just 11 minutes later he lost the gold. The organizers announced that American Greg Barton had crossed the finish line five thousandths of a second earlier, a tiny difference of less than 1cm.
- Speed canoeing competitions are held on artificial canals, which are about 2km long and have an average depth of 3m.
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