What happens if a paddler touches a pole?
B · Beginner · The run · 4 of 5Two seconds are added to the time, once for each gate. It applies when the gate is passed correctly but a pole is touched by the body, the paddle or the boat. Touching both poles of a gate, or the same pole several times, is still two seconds.
How it works
- Clean: no penalty for "Correct negotiation without touching either pole with any part of the body, equipment, paddle, or boat."
- A touch: two penalty seconds for "Correct negotiation of the gate, but with a touch of one (1) or both poles."
- Only once: "Repeated touching of the same or both poles is only penalised once."
- Anything counts: body, clothing, helmet, paddle or boat.
- Added to the time: the result is the running time in seconds plus the penalty seconds.
- Who sees it: gate judges on the bank, with video judges behind them.
- In doubt: the benefit goes to the athlete.
The glossary has the penalty and the result calculation (slalom) entry.
Tricky cases
A paddler touches both poles of the same gate. Is that four seconds?
No. One or both poles is two seconds.
The wind blows a pole against the paddler's helmet. Is that a touch?
It depends on the gate judge. The rule penalises a touch and does not ask what caused it, and the judge must give the athlete the benefit of any doubt.
The spray from a paddle stroke moves the pole. Is that a touch?
No. The penalty is for a touch by the body, equipment, paddle or boat. The rules read for this page do not count water.
Can a touch turn into fifty seconds?
Yes. A touch on a gate that is not then passed correctly is a fifty-second penalty.
Why the rule exists
The fastest line through a gate is the tightest one, a hand's width from the pole. The two seconds put a price on cutting it too fine. It is large enough to cost several places and small enough that a paddler will still take the risk, which is what makes the sport close.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ICF rules | 2 seconds for each gate touched | SL 10.8 |
| Team events | Each boat's penalties are added to the team's time | SL 10.17.1.b |
| Kayak cross | Touching the gates is allowed | SL 16.22.3 |
From the rule book
International Canoe Federation, Canoe Slalom Competition Rules 2025, Articles 7.8, 7.10, 10.7, 10.8, 10.13 and 10.17.1. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: ICF Canoe Slalom Competition Rules (PDF).