The course

The course must be entirely navigable throughout its length and provide the same conditions for right and left-handed C1 paddlers. The ideal

course should include:

1) Minimum one gate-combination, which offers the athlete several options

2) Constant direction changes and flowing movements using the technical difficulties of the water (eddies, waves and rapids)

The course may not be less than 250 m in length, measured from starting line to the finish line (measured down the centre line), the maximum length must be no more than 400 m and, as a recommendation for the course designers, the course should be navigable for K1men in a time close to 100 seconds (should not be less than 90 Sec.).

At the end of the competition course, there should be sufficient warm up and cool down areas for the competitors. These areas are open for all categories that are competing and must not affect the start and finish area.

The course must consist of natural and/or artificial obstacles.

The accredited teams have free access to the course (no fee) during official training weeks and the scheduled competition days.

The course must consist of a maximum of 25 gates and a minimum of 18 gates of which a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 7 must be upstream gates.

The Start and Finish positions and organisation must be agreed by the Chief Judge prior to the beginning of official training.

The distance between the last gate and the finish line must be no less than 15 meters and must be no more than 25 meters.

The organisers must choose a course where a race can be run without annoyance or inconvenience to the competitors. The gates must be placed with correct presentation clearly indicated (by colour of poles and the number board), and sufficient room be allowed, to permit a correct negotiation and judgement of penalties without uncertainty.

If during a run in some event the Chief Judge finds that a significant change in water level has occurred that may be corrected, he/she may stop the competition until the original water conditions are restored.

If during the competition unusual circumstances alter the nature or design of the course, only the Chief Judge may authorise alteration to or change the position of a gate.

(Credit: ICF. Click here for further information.)