In Flatwater Sprint Racing events, paddlers race on a straight course, each boat in a separate lane, over three different distances being 200m, 500m & 1000m.

This form of racing became an Olympic discipline in 1936 and its programme includes events over 500m and 1000m. There are kayak events, for men and women, in single (K1), double (K2) and four boats (K4), and canoe events, only for men, in single (C1), double (C2) and four boats (C4).

In a kayak, the paddler is seated and uses a two-blade paddle, while in a canoe, the paddler is kneeling on one knee, and uses a single blade paddle.