A race against the clock through a combination of up and downstream gates on a whitewater course.
The course length and number of gates varies with a maximum of 25 gates for canoe and kayak events and eight gates for Kayak Cross.
The course is set with a mix of upstream and downstream gates; each presents a unique challenge for the athlete, significantly testing their ability to read and work with the water flow whilst maintaining their trajectory, balance and speed.
The direction the athlete must travel through each gate is indicated by color: red for upstream and green for downstream.
Course designers set the gate patterns with the aim of utilizing the water features – eddies, waves and stoppers – to create a competitive course. No two courses are the same.
Sponsored by:
Zet Kayaks USA
At ZetKayaks.com, we are dedicated to bringing you the best in kayaking with our exceptional range of Zet kayaks. Whether you’re a seasoned paddler or just starting out, our selection of whitewater kayaks offers something for everyone.
Only mass-produced boats freely available for purchase on the open market are permitted.
Maximum length of boats: 2.75m or 9′ ft
Minimum weight of boats: 18kg or 40lbs
The paddle is not permitted to have any sharp edges on the paddle blade.
Metal tipped paddle blades are also not allowed.
The following conditions must be satisfied for a gate to be considered correctly negotiated:
The whole head and both shoulders of the athlete must cross the gate line in accordance with the correct side of the gate and the course plan.
Part of the boat must cross the gate line at the same instant as the whole head crosses the line.
All gates must be negotiated in accordance with the direction established by the course map.
Athletes are permitted to touch the gates with any part of their body or equipment. Athletes are only permitted to touch the gates with their hand if that hand is holding their paddle.
Athletes are not permitted to move the gates with any part of their body or equipment for an unfair purpose (leading to disadvantages to another athlete).
For the roll zone, the boat must make a complete 360-degree kayak roll within the marked area.
For the roll barrier, the boat must make a complete 360-degree roll. At one point the boat must be upside down under the barrier.Safety measuresKayak to kayak contact is permittedAthletes are permitted to reach across another athlete with their arm or paddle, making brief contact with the athlete’s body. Athletes are not permitted to deliberately reach across and / or hold back another Athlete with their hand, arm, or paddle. Purposeful paddle strokes off another athlete’s body are not permitted.Dangerous contact with another athlete’s head or body that may result in a personal injury is not permitted. An athlete with a broken paddle must drop back and/or complete the course alone. The broken end of the paddle is considered dangerous. They may drop the paddle and use their hands to finish the course.
In all cases the situation is assessed by the judges.
Penalties
Athletes will receive a fault (FLT) for the following actions:
False start – athlete moving after the READY command but prior to, the GO command, or the activation of the automatic start mechanism.
Non-negotiated gate unless renegotiated.
Negotiating the gate in the wrong direction.
For roll zone, roll not executed within the zone unless renegotiated.
For roll barrier, the boat was not upside down at one point under the barrier unless renegotiated.
Full 360-degree roll not completed unless renegotiated.
Athletes will receive a did not finish (DNF) for the following actions:
Capsize.
Crossing the finish line upside down.
An athlete will receive a DNS if they or any of their equipment fall from the start platform before the READY command.
