Flat water or sprint racing is the high speed equivalent of marathon racing. Competitions take place under very controlled conditions with a typical sprint course containing buoyed lanes and electronic starting mechanisms locking a competitor's craft in place ready for the start gun. Frequently, winning positions must be decided using photo finishing. Distances covered are 200, 500, 1,000metres varying in duration from 35 seconds to just under 3 minutes for a K4.

Sprint competitors must be extremely focused, concentrating on the development of a strong, efficient, and consistent forward paddling technique which can be sustained over specific distances. Crew boats can involve two or four competitors and the paddle turnover can be stunning to watch.

Sprint Racing has been Olympic discipline since 1936; and Ireland has been represented at all of the Olympic Sprint Events from the Munich Games in 1972 to Sydney, in 2000.

Type of boat
Sprint racing kayaks differ significantly from other craft. Their long narrow shape, designed for speed, means they are unstable. Rudders mounted near the stern ensure the boat travels in as straight a line as possible. Sprint racers and marathon racers use the same boats.

See irishsprintcanoeing.com