Canoe words · Intermediate

The words that make the commentary make sense. They build on the beginner words.

I · Intermediate · 32 words · Step 2 of 2

Boats and equipment

Boat specifications

Slalom boats have a minimum length, width and weight, which for a K1 are 3.50 m, 0.60 m and 9 kg, and canoes have their own minimums. Sprint boats have a maximum length and a minimum weight for each class, which for a K1 are 5.20 m and 12 kg and for a K4 11 m and 30 kg.

Sprint rules

Staying in lane

In races up to 1,000 m a boat must keep within the central area of its lane, and a boat that fails to return to it or gains an advantage may be disqualified. Taking pace or help from boats not in the race is not allowed.

The ruleCan a boat drift across its lane in canoe sprint?

Finish and dead heat (sprint)

A boat has finished when its bow crosses the line with all the crew in it. Boats that cross together share the classification. If a dead heat decides who advances, lots decide the next lane, or a re-race is held at least 60 minutes later if there are not enough lanes.

Irregular ranking marks

Codes for a result that is not a time: did not finish (DNF), disqualified (DSQ), did not start (DNS), and disqualified from the whole competition (DQB). They rank in that order after boats with valid results, and a boat with a DQB is not ranked at all.

Also called: DNF, DSQ, DNS, DQB

Slalom rules

Gate negotiation

A gate is correctly negotiated when the athlete's whole head crosses the gate line from the correct side, with part of the boat crossing at the same instant. The gate line runs between the outside edges of the bottoms of the two poles, and all gates are taken in numerical order.

Fifty-second penalty

The penalty for a touched gate that was not correctly negotiated, an intentional push of a gate, a head crossing the gate line upside down or in the wrong direction, a gate left out, or only part of the head crossing the line. It does not apply if the gate is correctly renegotiated before the next gate begins.

Undercutting

Passing under a gate with any part of the body or equipment except the head, without touching it. It is not penalised, and neither are repeated attempts at a gate, as long as no part of the head has crossed the gate line the wrong way.

Team run

A run by three boats together. All boats start stationary, and the time runs from the first boat's start to the last boat's finish. The last boat must cross within 15 seconds of the first, or the team gets a 50-second penalty.

Start and start interval (slalom)

The boat must be stationary at the start. The scheduled interval between starts is at least 45 seconds in individual events and 90 seconds in team events.

Clearing the course

An athlete who is being overtaken must give way when a judge gives repeated whistle blasts. If an athlete is hindered, the Chief Judge may authorise a repeat run.

Outside assistance

Any help to an athlete or their boat, such as passing a spare paddle, pushing the boat, or giving directions by radio. It disqualifies the athlete from the run (DSQ).

Olympic slalom format

Canoe and kayak events have two heat runs, one semi-final run and one final run. Athletes must start both heats, and progression to the semi-final is by their best result from the two. With 27 or more entries, 24 go to the semi-final and 12 to the final.

Kayak cross

Kayak cross individual

The timed, one-boat-at-a-time run that normally ranks athletes for the qualification phase of kayak cross. It was formerly called the time trial. In some competitions a Round 1 and a repechage follow it.

Roll zone and roll barrier

Parts of a kayak cross course where athletes must roll. In the roll zone the boat makes a complete 360-degree roll within the marked area. At the roll barrier the boat makes a complete roll and is upside down under the barrier at one point.

Fault (kayak cross)

The penalty marked FLT for a false start, a gate not negotiated or negotiated in the wrong direction, or a roll not done in the zone or under the barrier, unless it is renegotiated.

Also called: FLT
See also: Gate, Penalty, Roll

Ranked as lower

A ranking penalty for breaking the kayak cross safety rules, such as holding back another athlete by hand, arm or paddle, or moving gates to gain an unfair advantage.

Also called: RAL
See also: Kayak, Paddle, Penalty, Kayak cross

Kayak cross contact

Kayak-to-kayak contact is allowed, and an athlete may briefly reach across another's body with an arm or paddle. Deliberately holding another athlete back, pushing off their body with a paddle, or dangerous contact with the head or body is not allowed.

Kayak cross start

The command is 'In position, Ready, Go', and athletes must stay still after 'Ready'. A start before the signal is a fault. In the first elimination race the best qualifier picks their start position first.

Sprint technique terms

Catch phase

The moment the paddle blade enters the water and begins to grip before pulling through.

Feathering

Rotating the paddle blade slightly during recovery to reduce wind resistance.

Boat run

How efficiently a boat glides between strokes, influenced by technique and hull design.

Rating

The number of paddle strokes per minute, adjusted for pacing throughout a race.

Also called: stroke rate
See also: Paddle

Cadence

The rhythm and timing of the paddling motion, especially important for crew boats to stay synchronized.

Slalom technique terms

Ferry glide

A technique used to move sideways across current by angling the boat rather than paddling directly across.

Peel out

Moving from calm water into the main current at an angle, a common move at the start of a slalom section.

Break in

Entering or exiting the main current from an eddy, requiring precise timing and angle.

Also called: break out
See also: Eddy

S-turn

A slalom move requiring the paddler to change direction sharply between two closely spaced gates.

Boof

A technique used to keep the bow of the boat up while dropping over a ledge or obstacle.

Equipment and format terms

Wing paddle

A curved paddle blade design used in sprint racing to improve grip on the water.

Rudder

A steering device under the hull at the back of a kayak. Sprint kayaks may have at most one, and sprint canoes may not have one. Rudders are prohibited on all slalom boats.

Marathon canoeing

A long distance format that can include portages over land between water sections.

Slalom gate sequence

The order of the gate numbers, which the boat must follow. Gates are numbered in the order of negotiation, and the course map shows the direction of each.