This article discusses flatwater racing (sprint) and marathon racing, competitive forms of canoeing and kayaking on more or less flat water. Both sports are discussed here together, as equipment and paddling technique are very similar, if not identical. Both sports are governed by the International Canoe Federation (ICF).

Flatwater racing (sprint), which is referred to by the IOC as "canoe/kayak flatwater", is one of the two forms of the two canoeing disciplines that feature in the Summer Olympics, the other being canoe/kayak slalom. Marathon racing is not an Olympic sport. In non-Olympic years the main event are the World Championships.