About Us
The earliest canoes date from 6,000 B.C. though it is likely that people used similar forms of transportation even earlier.
The Americas were likely a fertile ground for canoe development, with Native Americans using cloth and animal skins to cover a hollowed-out wooden log canoe frame, while Eskimos are thought to have developed the kayak, where one or two paddlers sit in a partially enclosed seat.
In the mid 19th century a Scotsman named James Mac Gregor developed the Rob Roy, a canoe with sail, mast and paddles. He used it to make a number of expeditions in Europe and Palestine that he wrote about extensively, helping to bring the sport to a wide audience.
Within two decades, canoeing became a competitive sport in England, and clubs started spreading across the eastern United States. In the early 20th century, the sport became popular in many parts of Europe, and it was a demonstration sport in the Paris Olympics of 1924. By the Berlin Olympics of 1936, it was recognized as a full competitive sport.
The Trinidad and Tobago Canoeing and Rowing Federation (TTCRF) promotes and develops the sport of canoeing and kayaking in this country. The federation was accepted as a member of the International Canoe Federation in October 2004, but started to act as a body in early 2007.
Currently under the TTCRF are 2 clubs –
- The Trinidad Kayak Club – This club is for more recreational kayaking and those who prefer more leisurely paddling and possible excursions.
- The Trinidad Surfski Club – This is the sporting arm of the federations where athletes train both for the fun of it and to compete against one another.
Additional Information
What do I need to kayak?
1) A change of clothes to get wet – pants, jersey, towel and a hat.
2) Slippers/ water shoes
3)A bottle of water
What will be provided?
1) A Kayak
2) A Paddle
3) A life jacket
About Canoe Sprint
Canoe sprint takes place on a flatwater course and races are contested by two types of boat, canoe (C) and kayak (K). In a canoe, the paddler competes in a striding position using a single-blade paddle, in contrast to the double-bladed paddle used in a sitting position in a kayak. At international level the discipline is competed at four distances from 200m to 5000m, both individually and in teams of up to four. Each discipline is categorised by boat type, number of competitors per boat, gender, and race distance, meaning the example of C2M 500m is the canoe male doubles 500m.
In Trinidad however, we only participate in the kayak as we currently do not have any Canoes to operate. The distances that we currently partake in are K1 200m, K2 1000m, K1 500m and K1 1000m.
Key points to note.
- Canoe sprint is a race to the line on a flatwater course with international competition set over four distances: 200, 500, 1000 and 5000 meters.
- Races are contested as individuals and teams with up to four athletes in a boat.
- In a kayak, the paddler is seated and uses a double-bladed paddle pulling the blade through the water on alternate sides to propel the boat forward.