Special Olympics Kayaking is kayaking where all competitors have a physical or mental disability. There are two divisions of kayaking depending on the skill level of the competitor. Special Olympics Kayaking is considered a "recognized" sport, or a sport that isn't part of official competition, but still must adhere to Special Olympics rules and guidelines.

Special Olympics kayaking is a flat-water racing event where athletes compete over 200m and 500m courses, either on their own or as a pair with another athlete. Kayaking is one of the newest Special Olympics sports meant for athletes with physical or mental disabilities.

The goal of kayaking is to finish a race of a predetermined distance in the shortest amount of time in order to defeat other competitors.

It was not until 2001 that kayaking became a part of the Special Olympics, although this was only at the state level; West Virginia added kayaking to their Special Olympics program in 2000. In 2003, kayaking became a demonstration sport at the World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland. It was in 2007 at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China that kayaking became an official Special Olympics sport. Special Olympics Great Britain athletes joined top Olympic kayakers, including Olympic Bronze Medalists Ian Wynne and Tim Brabants, at the 2006 Special Olympics Great Britain National Kayaking Regatta on 3-5 June 2006 at Holme Pierrepont National Watersports Centre in Nottingham. The event took place as part of a British Canoe Union event, giving Special Olympics athletes the opportunity to demonstrate their ability alongside mainstream paddlers on a 2000-meter regatta lake.

Dry Suit
Helmet
Kayak
Life Vest
Paddle

Competitors should always wear a personal flotation device in case of capsizing.

Special Olympics kayaking requires a basic foundation of skills in order to be safe and proficient. Effective strokes are powered by large muscle groups of the torso, not the arms; physical training works to develop these large muscle groups to allow the athlete to generate the power necessary to be effective in competition.

Active Blade - the part of the paddle in the water at any given time

Aft - towards the rear of the kayak

Backpaddle - paddling backwards as a means of slowing or reversing the forward motion of a kayak

Bladder - an inflatable air bag placed inside a kayak to provide greater buoyancy in the event of a capsize

Blade - the wide, flat end of a paddle

Bracing - a stroke used to provide support and prevent the kayak from capsizing

Broaching - a point when the kayak is oriented broadside to waves, currents, or an obstacle

Duffek Turn - a compound stroke normally used for entering an eddy

Face - the side of a paddle blad pushing against the water

Hung Up - when a kayak is caught and trapped on a rock or other obstruction

K-1 - a one man kayak

K-2 - a two man kayak

Lash - to secure gear to the deck of a kayak, usually with a rope or bungee cord

Paddle - a shaft with two flat blades used to propel a kayak through the water

Peeling Out - a technique of leaving an eddy whereby the paddler points the kayak upstream, plants a high brace, and lets the

main current swing the kayak around and into the flow of the river

Pillow Rock - a deceptive river feature where water flows gently over an underwater obstruction

Sculling - a supporting stroke that keeps the paddle in the water at all times in a repeated arching motion

Smoker - a stretch of aggressive or violent whitewater

Trough - the depression between two waves

http://www.specialolympics.org/Special+Olympics+Public+Website/English/Coach/Sports_Offered/Kayaking.htm
http://www.kayakingjournal.com/kayak-terminology.html