Canoe Sprint

General Rules

Entries

The entries in the IOF recognized competition can only be made through the National Federation.  It must contain the following:-

• Name of the federation to which the competitors belong
• The class/es and distance in which the team wishes to compete
• Family name and given name along with the date of birth should be duly mentioned in the entry form

Start Of The Race

The competitors must be on the water at the starting point, in not less than five minutes before the said starting time of the race.

• The competing boats have to take the lane specified in the programme within two minutes of the defined starting time.
• The race shall commence without reference to any absentees
• The starter shall start the race upon his satisfaction as to everything meets within his/her approval.

Paddling On The Course

In races up to 1000 meters, the participants must keep the whole of their boat from the start to the finish of the course within the four-meter wide central area of their lane. In case of any deviation, the boat must immediately go back to the central area of the lane. No boat must come closer than five meters in any direction to the boat of another competitor - that is, gunwale to gunwale or bow to stern.

If a boat leaves the centre of the lane and does not return back to the said lane, it may be disqualified from the event.

Infringements

• Taking speed or receiving help from boats that not the part of the race or by any other means is strictly disallowed.
• When a race is in progress crews that are not the part of the race are strictly forbidden to proceed over the whole or part of the course, even outside the marking buoys.

Finish

• The boat is said to have finished the race when its bow crosses the finish line along with all the crew members in it.
• The Finish line judges will analyze and announce the result of the competition upon the order and sequence of the boats arriving to the finish point.
• If two or more boats reach the finishing line at the same time then they are awarded the same classification in the final.

Disqualifications

• Any competitor who tries to win the race by unlawful means or breaks the racing rules shall stand disqualified.
• If the canoe or kayak on which the competitor has performed is not inspected and does not conforms the ICF regulations shall be disqualified from the event.
• Disqualification will be made in case of external assistance also.