Basically, canoeing was invented so people in the old days would have a means of transportation to cross streams, rivers, and other waterways whenever they needed to. Historically, canoeing was the only method used to travel the waterways of North America, Polynesia, and the Amazon Basin.
Of course today, airplanes, trains, and motorboats are more widely used than canoes. With the high demand of cars and other vehicles, there is not much need for kayaks and canoes anymore. However, people who are into adventurous aqua sports are still enthused about the use of canoes and kayaks.
Aside from water racing, kayaks and canoes also take part in other exciting water competitions. A sprint is one of the most common canoeing sports. This requires participants to race towards the goal in their canoes. The first to reach to goal wins. It may sound easy and simple, but it participants must work hard and have the skill needed for them to paddle precisely and quickly. This is a sport that must be trained for, and most of those who compete have a passion for it. In addition to that, slalom is one of the most challenging competitions that people can try in canoeing. This may be a little dangerous for all the contenders must paddle through rapids. This has to be done safely but also quickly in order to have the fastest time through the rapids. Furthermore, a marathon is a long distance race that is often held in the open sea. The marathon is considered by many as the toughest canoe race ever.
There are many different levels of canoe racing whether it be the sprint, slalom, or marathon. Hobbyists can participate in some events for the fun of it. Other competitions may be held by schools or universities. Sometimes races are at the professional level and are open only to those who have extensively trained for the event.
Of course, you can still enjoy canoeing even if you have no desire to race. You may prefer a nice relaxing drift down the river. You may be more adventurous and enjoy dodging the rapids in swift moving water. That is the great thing about canoeing; it is fun for people of all ages and skill levels.
One thing is for sure, we no longer have to rely on canoes as the main mode of transportation across rivers anymore. Canoeing is no longer a necessity but has evolved into a fun pastime or an exciting racing competition. Canoe racing can also be a fun sport to watch if your skills are not honed enough to participate. When combining swift moving water and canoes, anything can happen, and often the unexpected does occur in canoe racing.
