Overview Of Canoe Slalom

Game Rules

The rules of Canoe Slalom are determined by the International Canoe Federation (ICF) who have a congress every two years which allows for any major changes to the rules.

Officials:

 The role of officials in high performance sport is often contentious potentially affecting outcomes. In Canoe Slalom touches and missed gates can be critical to the outcomes and the allocation of medals. High quality judging under pressure comes from individual excellence and team work.

IJCSL:

The Canoe Slalom International Judge (IJCSL) program contains the following:

Pratical exercises at an international event

Theory seminar invloving pratical application of the of CSL Racing Rules and ICF Statutes

Written examination of CSL Racing Rules and ICF Statutes

To participate in an International Canoe Slalom Judge (IJCSL) program, you need at least 5 years experience at the national level. Your National Federation should send the application form to the ICF Headquarters and to the chairman of Canoe Slalom Committee.

ICF IJCSL:

ICF International Canoe Slalom Judge (ICF IJCSL) will become the required certification to be eligible to judge at the World Championships and Olympic games with the the first program delivered at the 2010 Senior World Championships in Tacen (SLO).

The training covers the higher order skills required to be an effective judge at international level - it is not a review of the rules but more about how each judge applies them and how they work together as a team to ensure fair and equal competition for all Athletes.

Participation in ICF IJCSL is by invitation with invitations usually issued to Judges who are already experienced at International level. To register your interest in this program your National Federation should send the application form to chairman of Canoe Slalom Committee and you will be placed on the waiting list for the next avaialable program.

Detailed Canoe Slalom Rules Can Be Downloaded From Documents

Equipments Need For Canoe Slalom

Bent-shaft paddle:

A paddle with a bend in the shaft, intended to increase power but compromising control.

Blade:

The wide part of a paddle which passes through the water. The canoe paddler uses a paddle which has one flat blade on one end of the paddle shaft, which may not be fixed to the boat in any way.

Canoe:

A light, narrow, open boat propelled by one or more paddlers from a kneeling position, using single-bladed paddles.

Cockpit:

The enclosed space in a kayak or slalom canoe where the paddler(s) sit.

Deck:

The closed-in area over the bow and/or stem of a canoe or kayak, intended to shed water and strengthen the gunwales.

Double-Bladed Paddle:

A paddle with a blade at each end, used in kayaks to paddle on each side of the boat.

Gate:

Two striped poles suspended just above the water from a wire stretched across the course.

Grip:

The end of a canoe paddle opposite from the blade.

Hull:

The frame or body of a boat.

Kayak:

A light, narrow closed boat in which the paddler is seated facing forward, using a doubled bladed paddle to propel the craft

Single-Bladed Paddle:

A paddle with a blade at one end.

Spraydeck/Splashcover:

A flexible covering fitted to the paddlers waist that encloses the cockpit of a canoe or kayak to ensure that the boat is waterproof.

Helmet

Life Jacket

History Of Canoe Slalom

As with canoe sprint, canoe slalom also utilises canoes and kayaks, however there are some significant differences. The sport was modelled from ski slalom and began in Switzerland in 1932. In its early days, it was first performed on flat water, but later switched to white water rapids.

Variety of crafts:

While canoe slalom basically uses the same type of craft as canoe sprint, the boats are designed differently. While in canoe sprint the boats are long and streamlined, in canoe slalom the boats are small, light and agile, allowing for greater manoeuvrability through the rapids. 

Olympic history:

Canoe and kayak racing became full medal sports at the 1936 Berlin Games. However events were initially limited to canoe sprint until canoe slalom made its debut at the 1972 Munich Games. Slalom racing was not competed again in the Olympic Games until the 1992 Barcelona Games. Canoe slalom racers compete in four events, three for men and one for women, over the same course.

From this date it is possible to divide the history of Canoe Slalom into three periods: From 1949 - 1972, from 1972 - 1992 and 1992 Onwards.

1949-1972

The first period is characterised by dramatic changes. Folding and rigid canvas canoes were replaced with fibreglass reinforced plastic boats at championship events. Great Britain had its first World Champion in Paul Farrant who in 1959 won the men’s K1 World Title.

1972 – 1992

The second important period was filled with changing and simplifying slalom rules as well as with hopes and dreams of slalom becoming an Olympic sport again. This time too, brought dramatic changes in boat construction. Canoe Slalom made its debut at the Olympic Games in 1972 with the course at Augsburg in Germany still used for International competition today. Unfortunately after 1972, Canoe Slalom did not return to the Olympic programme until 1992. During the late 1970’s and 1980’s Great Britain became the dominant force in Canoe Slalom with multiple medallists and the 1983 World Championships remains Britain’s most successful Worlds in Canoe Slalom with 3 Golds, 2 Silvers and 2 Bronzes won.

1992 Onwards

The third period began with the reintroduction of Canoe Slalom at the 1992 Olympic Games.

This was another period of new changes to the slalom rules: the penalty and the two run system were changed. It was around this time that Canoe Slalom saw a massive increase of interest outside of its traditional home of Europe and North America to all other continents. During this period Canoe Slalom in Great Britain has continued to be successful at International level and domestically. Traditionally Canoe Slalom has taken place on natural rivers, but since 1992 there has been a shift with many more events taking place on purpose built artificial sites.

Almost all major internationals now take place on artificial sites. Great Britain has four International standard whitewater courses (Lee Valley Whitewater Course (constructed 2010), Cardiff Whitewater Course (2010), Holme Pierrepont Whitewater Course (1986) Teesside Whitewater Course (1995).

Origin Of Canoe Slalom

Canoe Slalom on whitewater started on 11 September 1932 in Switzerland. The sport’s inventor proclaimed “Slalom is a whitewater test” and his idea came from skiing, where the key terms change from “winter, snow and Ski Slalom” to “summer, water and Canoe Slalom.”

Second World War:

Unfortunately World War Two began just six years after the first Canoe Slalom competition was held in Switzerland and the development of the sport was set back, especially from an Olympic point of view. 

First competition:

Canoe slalom became popular shortly before World War II with the first known competition occurring in 1933. The first International Federation to govern canoeing was the Internationale Repräsentantschaft für Kanusport (IRK) founded in 1924. After World War II, this organisation was succeeded by the International Canoe Federation (ICF) which governs both canoe sprint and canoe slalom as well as six other canoeing disciplines. It is located in Lausanne.

First Canoe Slalom World Championships:

Once the Second World War was over, the first Canoe Slalom World Championships under the patronage of the ICF were organised in 1949 in Geneva, Switzerland. From this date it is possible to divide the history of Canoe Slalom into three periods: From 1949 - 1972, from 1972 - 1992 and from 1992 to the present day.

Governing Bodies

International Canoe Federation:

The International Canoe Federation (ICF) is the umbrella organization of all national canoe organizations worldwide. It is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, and administers all aspects of canoe sport worldwide. 157 countries are affiliated with the ICF after seven national federations were added at the 2008 ICF Congress in Rome.

The first federation was the Internationale Repräsentantschaft für Kanusport, formed before World War II. The International Canoe Federation (ICF) was founded in 1946. Canoeing became a full medal sport at the 1936 Berlin Games.

Shorter and faster:

In 1924, canoe sprint was introduced to the Olympic programme as a demonstration sport. It became a full medal sport in 1936 with both canoe and kayak events. Women began competing in kayaks from 1948. Recent trends have led away from 5,000m and 10,000m races toward shorter 200m, 500m and 1,000m competitions.

Canoe sprint vs. canoe slalom:

The International Canoe Federation (ICF) covers canoeing and kayaking, and both of these crafts are used in the two main disciplines. Canoe sprint is based on pure “speed on the course” and requires a calm water surface. Canoe slalom is conducted on flowing water, rushing down a steep course where competitors attempt to negotiate a slalom course in single runs against the clock.

John MacGregor:

Despite the original origins of canoeing, a Scotsman by the name of John MacGregor would be known by many as the father of modern kayaking. He designed his own kayak, called the Rob Roy, 4m long and 75cm wide, weighing 30kg. Between 1864 and 1867 he toured the British waters and travelled throughout Europe. He founded the Royal Canoe Club in 1866. In 20 years, canoeing would become incredibly popular throughout Europe.

Current events:

There are single, double and four man events. Women race 200m and 500m in a single kayak (K1) and 500m as a double (K2) and four (K4). Male kayakers compete in K1 and K2 at 200m and 1000m and in K4 at 1000m . There are currently only canoe events for men; they are performed in a single (C1) at 200m and 1,000m and double (C2) at 1,000m. In canoe slalom there is only K1, C1 and C2 for men and K1 for women, with no discrepancies over distances. As each slalom course is different and has its various nuances, the athletes must know the course well if they are to succeed.

Competition procedure:

In canoe sprint races, competitors are assigned to lanes. Women compete only in kayaks. In Canoe Slalom, the athletes race in order to achieve the best time, while making sure to follow the course accurately and without incurring a penalty to their overall time.

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