CKO is a timed race in which one- or two-person boats start at staggered intervals.
Canoe/Kayak Orienteering (called CKO or Canoe-O) is an orienteering sport using a canoe, kayak, or other small boat. Usually, CKO is a timed race in which one- or two-person boats start at staggered intervals, are timed, and are expected to perform all navigation on their own. Portages are allowed. The control points, shown on an orienteering map, may be visited in any order. Standings are determined first by successful completion of the course, then by shortest time on course.
Traditional CKO controls may be places around a lake and in the woods. The course is usually designed as a Score course with points assigned to each control based on difficulty and distance. One or more competitors navigate the course in a canoe and the winner is the canoe team that accumulates the most points within the time limit.