Professional Documents
Culture Documents
CANOEING
When paddling in a new area, check with the locals regarding currents,
shoreline conditions and weather patterns. Plan an "escape" route - an
alternative place to get off the water should environmental conditions dictate it.
Abiding by these rules will help to make your kayak adventure safer and fun.
HISTORY OF CANOEING
Canoeing is an ancient mode of transportation. Modern recreational canoeing
was established in the late 19th century. In 1924, canoeing associations from
Austria, Germany, Denmark and Sweden founded the International Representation
for Kingsport, forerunner of the International Canoe Federation. Canoeing
became part of the Olympic Games in the summer of 1936. The main form of
competitive sport was canoe sprint using a sprint canoe. Others include canoe
polo, whitewater canoeing, canoe marathon, ICF canoe marathon, and play
boating.
Most present-day canoeing is done as or as a part of a sport or recreational
activity. In some parts of Europe canoeing refers to both canoeing and
kayaking, with a canoe being called an Open canoe. A few of the recreational
forms of canoeing are canoe camping and canoe racing such as canoe sprint
and canoe marathons. Other forms include a wide range of canoeing on lakes,
rivers, oceans, ponds and streams.
The summer Olympics include canoeing competitions. Canoe slalom (previously
known as whitewater slalom) is a competitive sport with the aim to navigate a
decked canoe or kayak through a course of hanging downstream or upstream
gates on river rapids in the fastest time possible. It is one of the two kayak and
canoeing disciplines at the Summer Olympics, and is referred to by the
International Olympic Committee (IOC) as Canoe/Kayak Slalom. The other
Olympic canoeing discipline is canoe sprint.
MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT FOR CANOEING
A PADDLE
This is pretty self-explanatory. But
what isn't is how a different
paddle is needed depending on
whether you’re going white water
kayaking, flat-water kayaking or
canoeing. Lucky for recreational
users, the school or outdoor
activity center would be able to
provide you with the right paddle
for your kayaking or canoeing
trip.
A CANOE OR KAYAK
Once again, if you’re going to a center to
learn, you really don’t have to worry about this
too much. And if you're going with a partner,
do be sure to choose a 2 person canoe.
Generally in Singapore, you have the choice of
a solo canoe and a 2 person canoe. A good
place to start out is the Paddle Lodge at
MacRitchie Reservoir.
A LIFEJACKET OR PERSONAL
FLOATATION DEVICE (PFD)
A safety essential will ensure should
you capsize, you will find yourself
floating. Even if you panic or are
disorientated, your safety will still be
guaranteed. I cannot stress how
important this is, no matter how good a
swimmer you are.
When paddling in a new area, check with the locals regarding currents,
shoreline conditions and weather patterns. Plan an "escape" route - an
alternative place to get off the water should environmental conditions dictate it.
Abiding by these rules will help to make your kayak adventure safer and fun.
KAYAKING RULES AND REGULATIONS BASIC RULES
BEACH CRAFT RULE NO. 1
Is your inflatable or rigid kayak less than 3.5 meters long? If so, you have
what is called a beach craft. You must never go more than 300 meters from
shore (from a point on the coast where any craft or vessel and its crew can
safely anchor or dock and leave again without assistance). A buoyancy aid is
not mandatory but strongly recommended to make it easier to get back into
the boat in the event of a capsize.
SEAGOING VESSEL RULE NO. 2
This applies if you have a rigid kayak or inflatable kayak with at least 2
separate air chambers that is more than 3.50 metres long and is certified as
"seaworthy" by the manufacturer. You can then paddle up to 2 nautical miles
(approx. 3 km) from shore. In this case, you must have the following safety
equipment:
• a life jacket compliant with European standards for each person on board.
• a mooring rope (painter) with karabiner, at least as long as the boat
• a spare paddle
• a way of sealing the cockpit(s), except for sit-on-tops
• a bailer tied to the boat or a bilge pump (except for self-draining boats)
• a tow hook (or equivalent) for towing
• a throw line
• a light signaling device (safety light, glow stick, etc.)
SHELTERED WATER NAVIGATION
RULES RULE NO. 3
Certain bodies of water have specific navigation rules.
- Swimming areas are prohibited unless your kayak is a beach craft;
- In most cases, you should avoid paddling among swimmers;
- It is forbidden to cross the path of port entry and exit channels, signposted
from the coast by cylindrical red buoys on your right, and conical green buoys
on your left;
- Do not to cross the path of vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver
(vessel engaged in a towing operation, sailing vessel, vessel constrained by its
draught, etc.);
- Find out about the protected areas on your route;
- Avoid paddling alone and make sure somebody knows where you are.
- Always take your smartphone with you (in a watertight pouch) so that you
can call for help if you need it (in France, call SNSM in an emergency on 196)
RIGHT OF WAY IN A KAYAK RULE NO. 4
At sea, vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver have priority. In a kayak,
you will therefore only have priority over power-driven vessels, which have
unrestricted maneuverability. You must also keep away from sailing vessels,
which have less maneuverability than you. Right of way on a river
On river and in sheltered water, a kayak is considered a small craft: it must
therefore give way to all craft over 15 m (barge, cruise ship). Again, you will
have to give way to sailing vessels, but a power-driven vessel less than 15 m
long will have to maneuver to stay out of your way. Right of way... between
two kayaks
Priority to whoever is on the right! And if you find yourself face to face, you
should pass on the right of the other user... just imagine you are driving in
Europe!
END OF REPORT
Prepared by: Rea Regulacion
Members:
May Navarro
Nela Gajo