Canoe sprint is a water sport in which athletes race in specially designed canoes or kayaks on calm water over a short distance. Prior to November 2008, canoe sprint was known as flatwater racing. Traditionally the term canoeing is used as a hypernym for both kayaking and canoeing.

A canoe is a lightweight narrow water vessel, typically pointed at both ends and open on top, propelled by one or more seated or kneeling paddlers facing the direction of travel and using paddles.