RULES IN BRIEF

FLATWATER

  • Boats that come within five metres of a rival vessel are disqualified
  • False starts result in disqualification
  • All members of a crew must be in a boat at the finish line for a result to count
  • Paddlers who capsize can continue a race as long as they manage to get back into their boat without outside assistance
  • A white flag is shown at the end of a race if all is well and the result is declared official
  • If a red flag is shown at the end of a race, a penalty has occurred and the result shown on the scoreboard is not official

    WHITEWATER

  • A two-second penalty is imposed if a boat, paddle or part of a paddler's body touches a gate

    OTHER RULES

  • A 50-second penalty is imposed if a paddler misses a gate
  • Gates are monitored by naked eye, not electronics
  • Boats must not have rudders
  • Safety helmets are compulsory

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