Para canoe
Paracanoe is canoeing for athletes with an eligible impairment. Sprints are 200 metres on a straight course in the kayak single or the va'a single, an outrigger canoe, each with three classes, KL1 to KL3 and VL1 to VL3.
Checked 20 October 2026
New to para canoe? Start here
How long
Sprints of 200 m
Lengths are from the rule book.
The big events, and why they matter
- 1Paralympic Games (para canoe)The top title in para canoe.Every 4 years
- 2ICF Paracanoe World ChampionshipsThe sport's own world title.Yearly (held with the canoe sprint worlds)
India
India has no Paralympic medal; it had one entry in 2020 and quota places in four events in 2024. Pooja Ojha won world silvers in the women's VL1 in 2022, 2023 and 2024 [the two pages].
- Para canoe at the Paralympic Games: No medal. One entry in 2020; quota places in 2024 in the men's KL1 and the women's KL1, KL2 and VL2
- ICF Paracanoe World Championships: 3 silvers, all Pooja Ojha in the women's VL1: 2022, 2023 and 2024
Countries to know
India and the nations that have done best, biggest titles first.
- IndiaICF Paracanoe World Championships: 3 silvers (latest 2024)
- Great BritainPara canoe at the Paralympic Games: 10 golds, 5 silvers, 5 bronzes (latest 2024); ICF Paracanoe World Championships: 52 golds, 35 silvers, 17 bronzes (latest 2025)
- BrazilPara canoe at the Paralympic Games: 2 golds, 4 silvers, 2 bronzes (latest 2024); ICF Paracanoe World Championships: 22 golds, 20 silvers, 19 bronzes (latest 2025)
- AustraliaPara canoe at the Paralympic Games: 4 golds, 3 silvers, 2 bronzes (latest 2024); ICF Paracanoe World Championships: 21 golds, 8 silvers, 12 bronzes (latest 2025)
- UkrainePara canoe at the Paralympic Games: 3 golds, 4 silvers, 1 bronze (latest 2024); ICF Paracanoe World Championships: 16 golds, 9 silvers, 12 bronzes (latest 2025)
Who runs it
| Rules made by | International Canoe Federation (ICF), Paracanoe Competition Rules 2025 |
| International federation | International Canoe Federation (ICF) |
| In India | Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association (IKCA), whose 2026 calendar lists the 19th National Para Canoe Championship |
Where and when it is played
On a straight 200-metre course. The big events: the Paralympic Games every four years and the ICF Paracanoe World Championships every year, held with the canoe sprint worlds.