Many years ago, canoeing began as a mode of transport. Canoes were used for fishing and hunting, and as a means for carrying soldiers into battle. There are two basic types of canoe. The original canoe, an open-topped bark canoe, was a dug-out type developed by Native North Americans. In the northern Arctic regions, the Aleuts and Inuits developed the close-topped kayak, which kept the frigid Arctic waters from entering the canoe. The kayaks were made by stretching animal skins over a frame of wood.

Competition in canoes began in the mid-19th century. The Royal Canoe Club of London was formed in 1866 and was the first organisation interested in developing the sport. In 1871 the New York Canoe Club was founded. Today competition is contested in either Canadian style canoes, similar to the dug-out Indian style canoe, or kayaks.

World championships in canoeing began in 1938. The first international federation to govern canoeing was the Internationale Representantskapet för Kanotidrott (IRK) which was formed in 1924. After World War II, this organisation was succeeded by the Fédération Internationale de Canoë (FIC).