The major growth area within paddle sport is Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP). The SUP community has grown extensively over the past few years and is continuing its rapid expansion. Within this, Whitewater Paddle Boarding (WW SUP) is attracting a lot of interest, with many paddle boarders and kayakers / canoeists seeing this as a fun way to paddle whitewater. Many of the skills for manoeuvring the craft align with similar skills for manoeuvring kayaks and canoes on whitewater, so naturally WW SUPers are wanting to formally compete at SUP Slalom.
A small number of amendments will be required to the existing Canoe Slalom Competition Rules to formally include SUP. The initial proposal is to make these amendments to include SUPs within the C1 competitions (in a similar way to the initial inclusion of WC1 within C1). This will be until a critical mass of paddlers is reached making it logical for SUP to have its own separate Class.
The Glossary of the Canoe Slalom Competition Rules already include SUP in the definition of boat, so the changes are intended to assist in the definition of the SUP as a permissible boat.
Initial boat dimensions and weights are proposed as the same as a popular White Water Sup board to ensure the rules are complete, and there is no specific advantage, remembering that boat lengths, widths and weights do not apply at divisions 2 to 4.
3.1 Boat definition
3.1.1 Kayaks are decked boats, propelled by double bladed paddles. The athlete must be sitting inside the kayak.
3.1.2 Canadian canoes are decked boats propelled by single-bladed paddles. The athlete must be kneeling inside the canoe.
3.1.3 (UK) SUPs are inflatable or rigid boards propelled by a single-bladed paddle. The athlete may adopt any position on the board.
3.1.4 (UK) Boats must be designed to, and remain within, the required dimensions and weight. Any additional weight needs to be permanently fixed in the boat.
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3.2.1 Minimum length and width
All types of K1 Minimum length 3.50 m
Minimum width 0.60 m
All types of C1 Minimum length 3.50 m
Minimum width 0.60 m
All types of C2 Minimum length 4.10 m
Minimum width 0.75 m
UK All Types of SUP Minimum length 2.9 m
Minimum width 0.80 m
3.2.2 Minimum weight
All types of K1 9 kg
All types of C1 9 kg
All types of C2 15 kg
UK All types of SUP 7.9kg
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3.2.3 * During the weighing process, residual water and loose items must be removed from the boat. At division 2 to 4 competitions, all whitewater boat types may be used without complying to boat specifications provided the boat meets all applicable safety requirements as defined in rule 3.3.
3.2.5 Rudders are prohibited on all boats.
3.2.5.a* Any object protruding from the hull (UK of a canoe/kayak) must be manufactured into the hull mould and be no higher than 20mm and no narrower than 8mm with a minimum radius of 4mm on its outside edge.
3.2.5.b UK Any object protruding from the SUP must be in the rear third of the board, no higher than 150mm and must be of a commercial, mass produced design. These may be fixed, or replaceable.
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3.3.1 All boats must be unsinkable
3.3.1.a * Canoes and Kayaks must be equipped at each end with a handle attached no more than 30 cm from the bow and from the stern
3.3.1.b (UK) SUP must be equipped one end with a handle or attached leash, within 60cm of the stern, and a central handle.
4.1.1 Canoe Slalom programme
MK1 Men’s Kayak
WK1 Women’s Kayak
MC1 Men’s Canoe
MC2 Men’s Canoe Double
WC1 Women’s Canoe
WC2 Women’s Canoe Double
XC2 Mixed Canoe Double (1 Woman, 1 Man)
UK All C2s currently compete in the same event and are ranked using the same system, separate prizes may be offered
4.1.2 Kayak Cross (CSLX) programme
MX1 Men’s Kayak Cross
WX1 Women’s Kayak Cross
4.1.3 UK Stand Up Paddleboarding programme
MS1 Men’s SUP
WS1 Women’s SUP
Note at the present MS1 and WS1 compete and are ranked with MC1 and WC1 respectively
4.1.34 UK An athlete may participate in more than one (1) individual event, subject to the Organiser being willing and able to give sufficient start time intervals. In the case of C2, an athlete may compete with multiple partners.
4.2.1 MK1x3 Men’s Kayak
WK1x3 Women’s Kayak
MC1x3 Men’s Canoe
MC2x3 Men’s Canoe Double
WC1x3 Women’s Canoe
WC2x3 Women’s Canoe Double
XC2x3 Mixed Canoe Double (1 Woman, 1 Man)
MS1x3 Men’s SUP
WS1x3 Women’s SUP
UK The events may be combined into a single team competition.
6.4.1.e UK WS1 and MS1 are ranked, promoted, and earn points as part of the corresponding Canoe event
10.6.5.b Part of the boat must cross the gate line at the same instant as the whole head crosses the line.
(UK) The SUP paddler is not physically on the board, but remains in contact with the board (see rule 10.15.2), i.e. not standing, kneeling or lying with at least the torso on the board unless correctly renegotiated before any subsequent gate is negotiated.
10.9.4 (UK) SUP: The athlete is not physically on the board, i.e. not standing, kneeling or lying with at least the torso on the board [unless correctly renegotiated
Renumber the rest of rules under 10.9 to reflect this insertion.
10.15.2 - It is considered to be a capsize when the athlete (or an athlete in C2) has left the boat completely. For SUP it is considered to be a capsize when the athlete has left and is no longer in contact with the board (remaining attached to the board via a leash is not considered to be in contact with the board)