Paracanoe iscanoeing for athletes with a range of physical disabilities. TheParalympic version of the sport is governed by theInternational Canoe Federation (ICF),[1] and ava'a-specific variant is governed by the International Va'a Federation (IVF).[2]
A meeting of theInternational Paralympic Committee inGuangzhou, China in 2010 decided to add paracanoe to the Paralympic programme.[3] As a result, paracanoe debutedat the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympics where singlekayak races were contested.[4][1][5]
The two main types of paracanoe boat arekayaks (K), with a double-blade paddle, and outrigger canoes calledva'as (V) where the paddler has a second hull as a support float and uses a single blade paddle with a T-top handle.
In the single kayak, there are three event classifications (linked to different levels of mobility impairment) for both men and women:
There is also a three-tier ICF classification system in place for single va'a events (VL1, VL2, VL3).
All international paracanoe competitions are held over 200 metres in single kayak or va'a boats.[7]
It is contested atWorld Championships, World Cups and continental championships. As of November 2021, ten of the twelve events (all six kayak events, both VL2 and VL3 events) are also on theParalympic programme.[8]
At the2009 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships inDartmouth, four 'paddability' races featured as non-medal exhibition events, including two male-female mixed disciplines in kayak doubles and in doubles canoe ('aka' Canadian or kneeling canoeing).
The sport made its officialICF Canoe Sprint World Championships debut in2010 and has generally been contested every year since, either within said championships or (in Paralympic years) at the standalone ICF Paracanoe World Championships. The sport will make its marathon distance debut at the2025 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships.[9]
In IVF competition, a points system is used with a higher number assigned to less impaired paddlers and lower points for more severe impairment.
In team events the total number of points of a boat crew are limited; 26 points in 6-person boats and 52 for 12-person boats. In single-seat boats competition take place in three divisions; division 1 for 5 or 6-point paddlers, division 2 for 4-point paddlers and division 3 is for 2 or 3-point paddlers. 1-point paddlers do not participate in singles races.[10]: 1 The three divisions approximately correspond to the three ICF va'a classes.[11]
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