Editing Canoe (section)

==Types of canoes==
Modern canoe types are usually categorized by the intended use. Many modern canoe designs are hybrids (a combination of two or more designs, meant for multiple uses). The purpose of the canoe will also often determine the materials used. Most canoes are designed for either one person (solo) or two people ([[tandem]]), but some are designed for more than two people.

[[Image:Women C-2.jpg|right|thumb|Women's C2]]

===Sprint===
{{Main|Sprint canoe|Canoe sprint}} 
[[Sprint canoe]] is also known as flatwater racing. The paddler [[Kneeling|kneels]] on one knee and uses a single-blade [[paddle]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Canoe sprint|url=http://www.canoeicf.com/icf/Aboutoursport/Canoe-Sprint.html|publisher=International Canoe Federation|access-date=22 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008234648/http://www.canoeicf.com/icf/Aboutoursport/Canoe-Sprint.html|archive-date=8 October 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> Since canoes have no [[rudder]], they must be steered by the athlete's [[paddle]] using a [[Canoe paddle strokes#jstroke|J-stroke]]. Canoes may be entirely open or be partly covered. The minimum length of the opening on a C1 is {{convert|280|cm|abbr=on}}. Boats are long and streamlined with a narrow [[beam (nautical)|beam]], which makes them very unstable.  A C4 can be up to {{convert|9|m|abbr=on}} long and weigh {{convert|30|kg|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Canoe Sprint Overview|url=http://www.canoeicf.com/icf/London2012/Canoe-Sprint-Section/Canoe-Sprint-Overview.html|publisher=International Canoe Federation|access-date=22 November 2012|archive-date=15 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815181838/http://www.canoeicf.com/icf/London2012/Canoe-Sprint-Section/Canoe-Sprint-Overview.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[International Canoe Federation]] (ICF) classifications include C1 (solo), C2 (crew of two), and C4 (crew of four). Race distances at the [[2012 Olympic Games]] were 200 and 1000 meters.

===Slalom and wildwater===
{{Main|Canoe slalom|Wildwater canoeing}}

[[File:Dickerson-C1a.jpg|thumb|left|Whitewater slalom canoe]]
In ICF [[whitewater slalom]], paddlers negotiate their way down {{convert|300|m|abbr=on}} of [[whitewater]] [[rapids]] through a series of up to 25 gates (pairs of hanging poles). The colour of the poles indicates the direction in which the paddlers must pass through; time penalties are assessed for striking poles or missing gates. Categories are C1 (solo) and C2 (tandem), the latter for two men, and C2M (mixed) for one woman and one man.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Canoe Slalom|url=http://canoeicf.com/icf/Aboutoursport/Canoe-Slalom/More-on-Canoe-Slalom.html|publisher=International Canoe Federation|access-date=22 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107021327/http://canoeicf.com/icf/Aboutoursport/Canoe-Slalom/More-on-Canoe-Slalom.html|archive-date=7 November 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> C1 boats must have a minimum weight and width of {{convert|10|kg|abbr=on}} and {{convert|0.65|m|abbr=on}} and be not more than {{convert|3.5|m|abbr=on}} long. C2s must have a minimum weight and width of {{convert|15|kg|abbr=on}} and {{convert|0.75|m|abbr=on}}, and be not more than {{convert|4.1|m|abbr=on}}. Rudders are prohibited. Canoes are decked and propelled by single-bladed paddles, and the competitor must kneel.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rules for Canoe Slalom|url=http://www.canoeicf.com/dms/icf/documents/Rules-and-Statutes/2011-Rules/ICF-Canoe-Slalom-Rules-2011/ICF%20Canoe%20Slalom%202011.pdf|publisher=International Canoe Federation|access-date=22 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320083528/http://www.canoeicf.com/dms/icf/documents/Rules-and-Statutes/2011-Rules/ICF-Canoe-Slalom-Rules-2011/ICF%20Canoe%20Slalom%202011.pdf|archive-date=20 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In ICF [[wildwater canoeing]], athletes paddle a course of class III to IV whitewater (using the [[International Scale of River Difficulty]]), passing over waves, holes and rocks of a natural riverbed in events lasting either 20–30 minutes ("Classic" races) or 2–3 minutes ("Sprint" races). Categories are C1 and C2 for both women and men. C1s must have a minimum weight and width of {{convert|12|kg|abbr=on}} and {{convert|0.7|m|abbr=on}}, and a maximum length of {{convert|4.3|m|abbr=on}}. C2s must have a minimum weight and width of {{convert|18|kg|abbr=on}} and {{convert|0.8|m}}, and a maximum length of {{convert|5|m}}. Rudders are prohibited. The canoes are decked boats which must be propelled by single bladed paddles, with the paddler kneeling inside.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wildwater Competition rules 2011|url=http://www.canoeicf.com/dms/icf/documents/Rules-and-Statutes/2011-Rules/ICF-Wildwater-Canoeing-Rules-2011/Wildwater%20Canoeing%20Rules%202011.pdf|publisher=International Canoe Federation|access-date=22 November 2012}}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===Marathon===
{{Main|Canoe marathon}}
[[Canoe marathon|Marathons]] are long-distance races which may include [[portage]]s. Under ICF rules, minimum canoe weight is {{convert|10|and|14|kg|abbr=on}} for C1 and C2, respectively. Other rules can vary by race. For example, athletes in the Classique Internationale de Canots de la [[Mauricie]] race in C2s, with a maximum length of {{convert|18|ft|6|in|m|1|abbr=on|order=flip}}, minimum width of {{convert|27|in|cm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} at {{convert|3|in|cm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} from the bottom of the centre of the craft, minimum height of {{convert|15|in|cm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} at the bow and {{convert|10|in|cm|abbr=on|order=flip}} at the centre and stern.<ref>{{cite web|title=La Classique Internationale de Canots de la Mauricie: Rules and Regulations|url=http://www.classiquedecanots.com/en/la-classique/rules-and-regulations|access-date=30 November 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119092952/http://www.classiquedecanots.com/en/la-classique/rules-and-regulations|archive-date=19 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Texas Water Safari]], at {{convert|262|mi|km|abbr=on|order=flip}}, includes an open class, the only rule being the vessel must be [[Human-powered watercraft|human-powered]]. Although novel setups have been tried, the fastest so far has been the six-man canoe.<ref>{{cite web|title=Texas Water Safari: History|url=http://www.texaswatersafari.org/history/|access-date=30 November 2012}}</ref>

===Touring===
{{See also|Canoe camping}}
A "touring" or "tripping" canoe is a boat for traveling on lakes and rivers with capacity for [[camping]] gear. Tripping canoes, such as the [[Chestnut Canoe Company|Chestnut]] Prospector and [[Old Town Canoe|Old Town]] Tripper derivates, are touring canoes for [[wilderness]] trips. They are typically made of heavier and tougher materials and designed with the ability to carry large amounts of gear while being maneuverable enough for rivers with some [[whitewater]]. Prospector is now a generic name for derivates of the [[Chestnut Canoe Company|Chestnut]] model, a popular type of wilderness tripping canoe. The Prospector is marked by a shallow arch hull with a relatively large amount of rocker, giving optimal balance for wilderness tripping over lakes and rivers with some [[rapids]].

A touring canoe is sometimes covered with a greatly extended deck, forming a "cockpit" for the paddlers. A cockpit has the advantage that the gunwales can be made lower and narrower so the paddler can reach the water more easily.

===Freestyle===
[[File:C1 Playboat.jpg|thumb|right|Playboating decked canoe]]
A freestyle canoe is specialized for [[whitewater]] play and tricks. Most are identical to short, flat-bottomed [[kayak]] playboats except for their internal outfitting. The paddler kneels and uses a single-blade canoe paddle. Playboating is a discipline of whitewater canoeing where the paddler performs various technical moves in one place (a playspot), as opposed to downriver where the objective is to travel the length of a section of river (although whitewater canoeists will often stop and play en route). Specialized canoes known as playboats can be used.

===Square-stern canoe===
A square-stern canoe is an asymmetrical canoe with a squared-off [[stern]] for the mounting of an [[outboard motor]], and is meant for lake travel or fishing.  Since mounting a [[rudder]] on the square stern is very easy, such canoes often are adapted for [[sailing]].