What are the penalties in kayak cross?
I · Intermediate · The competition · 7 of 7There are no time penalties. A paddler who jumps the start, misses a gate or does not complete the roll is given a fault and is ranked below every paddler who finished clean, whatever the order at the line. Breaking the safety rules means being "ranked as lower" still. A capsize is a DNF.
How it works
- Fault (FLT): a false start; a gate not passed, unless it is retaken; a gate taken in the wrong direction; a roll outside the roll zone; not being upside down under the roll barrier; an incomplete 360-degree roll.
- Ranked as lower (RAL): for breaking the safety rules on contact, or for moving a gate to gain an unfair advantage.
- DNF: a capsize, or crossing the finish line upside down.
- DNS: falling from the start platform, or dropping equipment from it, before the "READY" command.
- The order in a race: clean finishers first, in finish order. Then FLT, RAL, DNF, DSQ and DNS.
- Several faults: fewer faults rank higher. With the same number, the one who got further down the course before the first fault ranks higher.
- Who goes through: the first and second placed in each race.
- Those knocked out: ranked against others knocked out at the same stage by their qualification rank, with all third places above all fourth places.
- The finish: by photo finish at world championships and Olympic Games. The bow of the boat decides.
- Further action: a paddler given RAL can be referred to the jury, for example for suspension from the next competition.
- No enquiries: none are permitted at any phase.
The glossary has the fault (kayak cross) entry, ranked as lower and kayak cross.
Tricky cases
A paddler crosses the line first after missing a gate. Do they go through?
It depends on the others. The fault ranks them below every paddler who finished without a penalty. If at least two of the other three were clean, they are out.
Two paddlers in a race both have one fault. Who is ranked higher?
The one who got further down the course before the fault. If both faults came at the same gate, the finish order decides.
Is a false start a restart?
No. The athlete who moved is given a fault and the race stands.
Does the bow or the body decide a close finish?
The bow. With a photo finish, the first bow across the line is ranked first.
Why the rule exists
In a race decided by finish order, added seconds would mean nothing. Dropping a paddler behind every clean finisher does the same job in a way spectators can see at once. The separate, heavier code for unsafe contact keeps a missed gate from being treated like a paddle in someone's face.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kayak cross | Fault, ranked as lower, DNF | SL 16.24; SL 16.27 |
| Canoe and kayak slalom | 2 and 50 penalty seconds, and the body decides the finish | SL 10.8; SL 10.9; SL 10.5.1 |
| The 2024 interpretation note | Holding a gate still to block another athlete, or moving one with a free hand, is ranked as lower | Kayak Cross Rules Interpretation 2024 |
From the rule book
International Canoe Federation, Canoe Slalom Competition Rules 2025, Articles 16.10, 16.21.8, 16.24, 16.25, 16.27 and 16.28.8. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: ICF Canoe Slalom Competition Rules (PDF).