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the craft we paddle
[ TK1
| TK2 | K1 | K2
| K4 | TC1 | TC2|
C1 | C2 | C4 | Sea
Kayak | Racing Ski ]
We paddle several type of craft which are really just a small selection
of all the different types of canoe and kayak available. As many of our
members are competitive paddlers (and most of these are marathoners) we
mostly paddle K1, K2, TK1 and TK2 craft.
K1, K2 and K4 craft are 'international' class craft and are defined in
the International Canoe Federation (ICF) racing rules for marathon and
sprint. C1 and C2 are also defined in these rules, but we currently have
no members paddling these boats.
TK1, TK2, TC1 and TC2 craft are defined in the Australian Canoeing Inc
racing rules for marathon and sprint.
To help you decipher these 'codes':
- K = kayak. Kayaks have enclosed decks and are paddled using a double
bladed paddle.
- C = canoe (or Canadian). Canoes have more open decks and e paddled
using a single bladed paddle. C1, C2 and C4s can be paddled in a sitting
or kneeling position. These craft are for the skilled paddler.
- T = touring. The touring class is a uniquely Australian craft and
are shorter in length, wider in beam and more stable to paddle than
their international counterparts.
- 1, 2 and 4 designate the number of crew required to paddle the craft.
Other craft seen around the club include sea kayaks and skis.
Below is explained some of the craft that we use.
Generally, we start beginners in the TK1 and TK2 craft. Once this is
mastered progress is made to K1, then K2. To assist in the stages leading
to full confidence, the 'K' boats can be paddled first with no seat, then
a low sat and finally a high seat. Often, the younger the paddler, the
quicker the progression to the more challenging craft.
TK1
Many of our marathon paddlers use this class of boat. It's a great
boat to learn in and also works well on recreational paddles. The
racing can also be very competitive. There several types of TK1.
Our club has some very stable boats which we use to introduce paddlers
to the sport. Many of our members have their own 'faster' TK1s for
racing.
Max Length - 457.2cm
Min Gunwale Beam - 58.5cm
Min Waterline Beam - 50.8cm
Note the overstern rudder. TK1s are not permitted to have under-hull
rudders (as are K1s).
Steer using the tiller between your toes.
Construction is usually of a combination of fibre glass and kevlar.
If you want to buy one, expect to pay from about $250 second hand
up to about $1500 for a new one.
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One of our 'Amarron' TK1s.
Here we have one of our juniors in a TK1. He certainly doesn't
have much draft there!
Jeanie is our 52yo 'refugee from rowing' - her words! And boy does
she love her new Millsom TK1 - though I can say that I am not keen
on the yellow and purple colour scheme. ;-)
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TK2
This is the two person version of the TK1. Make sure you keep in
time with the paddler in front!
Max Length - 548.7cm
Min Gunwale Beam - 61.0cm
Min Waterline Beam - 53.3cm
Note the overstern rudder. TK2s are not permitted to have underhull
rudders (as are K2s).
The front paddlers steers using the tiller between the toes.
Construction is usually of a combination of fibre glass and kevlar.
If you want to buy one, expect to pay from about $300 second hand
up to about $1800 for a new one.
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Two of our young 'Come and Triers' paddling our Millsom TK2. This
is a fast TK2 which is great for racing (except when the water is
rough - it can take water over the bow).
Our old green TK2, whilst not so fast is great in the rough water.
It'll go anywhere. It's also very stable for beginners.
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K1
This is the international class (single) racing kayak. International
Canoe Federation Rules define these boats. There are many variations
and designs of K1s. Some are quite stable and great for learning
whilst the competitive boats are quite a challenge to paddle but
very fast.
Our juniors tend to master them quite quickly.
Max Length - 520cm
Min Weight (sprint) - 12kg
Min Weight (marathon) - 8kg
Min Gunwale Beam - In 2001, this rule was eliminated so there is
now no limitation on width. Many new designs a extremely narrow!
Note the underhull rudder. K1s can be built with an overstern rudder
which is advisable to use in races where shallow water (and rapids)
are encountered.
Steer using the tiller between your toes.
Construction is usually of a combination of fibre glass and kevlar.
Carbon fibre is often used to make the boats very stiff.
If you want to buy one, expect to pay from about $400 second hand
up to about... (well it's like bicycles - there are some very expensive
ones around) $2000 for a competitive boat.
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This design is the Woodpecker.
Sarah has been with our club since she started paddling as a junior
and now coaches for us on occasions.
We offer lots of support when you're learning... (venue - Forest
Lake)
And a certain amount of mastery can occur fairly quickly...
But sometimes the inevitable happens - but it's great fun getting
wet!
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K2
This is the international class (double) racing kayak. International
Canoe Federation Rules define these boats. There are many variations
and designs of K2s. K2s are great fun to paddle because they are
so fast (once you are coordinated).
Max Length - 650cm
Min Weight (sprint) - 16kg
Min Weight (marathon) - 12kg
Min Gunwale Beam - In 2001, this rule was eliminated so there is
now no limitation on width. Many new designs a extremely narrow!
Note the underhull rudder. K2s can be built with an overstern rudder
which is advisable to use in races where shallow water (and rapids)
are encountered.
The front paddler steers using the tiller between the toes.
Construction is usually of a combination of fibre glass and kevlar.
Carbon fibre is often used to make the boats very stiff.
If you want to buy one, expect to pay from about $400 second hand
up to about $2000 for a basic boat.
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K4
This is the international class (quad) racing kayak. International
Canoe Federation Rules define these boats. There are many variations
and designs of K4s. K4s are great fun to paddle but very challenging
as it takes a great deal of effort and competence to stay in time.
Max Length - 1100cm!!!!!
Min Weight (sprint) - ??kg
Min Weight (marathon) - 30kg
Min Gunwale Beam - In 2001, this rule was eliminated so there is
now no limitation on width. Many new designs a extremely narrow!
Note the underhull rudder. K4s can be built with an overstern rudder
which is advisable to use in races where shallow water (and rapids)
are encountered.
The front paddler steers using the tiller between the toes.
Construction is usually of a combination of fibre glass, kevlar
and carbon fibre. It is quite a challenge to build a K4 which makes
them quite expensive (but nothing like as expensive as a rowing
4!).
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No guys, timing IS everything!
Denise Cooper in the back seems to be keeping this crew in time.
The start of a K4 race. It gets pretty busy.
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TC1
This is the Australian class single touring canoe. Some would say
a fairly rare site, but there are a few around.
Max Length - 503.0cm
Min Waterline Beam - 71.2cm
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Photo coming one day...
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TC2
This is the Australian class double touring canoe. Our club has
one of these.
Max Length - 503.0cm
Min Waterline Beam - 71.2cm
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Photo coming one day...
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C1
This is the international class (single) racing canoe. International
Canoe Federation Rules define these boats. These craft can be paddled
in a sitting or kneeling position and are quite a challenge especially
when kneeling. A wide variety of strokes must be learnt as steering
is achieved by 'feathering' the blade during the stroke.
Max Length - 520cm
Min Weight (sprint) - ??kg
Min Weight (marathon) - 10kg
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Photo coming one day...
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C2
This is the international class (double) racing canoe. International
Canoe Federation Rules define these boats. These craft can be paddled
in a sitting or kneeling position and are quite a challenge especially
when kneeling. A wide variety of strokes must be learnt as steering
is achieved by 'feathering' the blade during the stroke.
Max Length - 650cm
Min Weight (sprint) - ??kg
Min Weight (marathon) - 14kg
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Photo coming one day...
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C4
This is the international class (quad) racing canoe. International
Canoe Federation MARATHON Rules NO LONGER define these boats. However,
the Australian Canoeing Inc Marathon Racing Rules continue to do
so.
Max Length - 900cm
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Photo coming one day... if I ever see one!
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Sea Kayak
Sea kayaks are excellent recreational boats. If you're really keen
you can race them but they are not really designed for speed. They
are designed for venturing long distances and beyond the breakers
- great for paddling around islands.
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Photo coming one day...
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Racing Ski
These craft are commonly seen on our beaches and in the surf life
saving clubs where they are used for rescue and racing.
Sometimes they can be seen in marathon canoe races and are quite
fast.
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Photo coming one day...
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This page last updated Tuesday 16 December 2003
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