BEYOND THE LANE.

Paddle Games – 2026 ELITE CANOE Category Format & Rules Summary

1. Introduction

The Paddle Games is a pioneering canoe sprint format designed to bring the sport closer to people through simple, efficient, and sustainable logistics.
By staging competitions in urban centres, the Paddle Games reimagines how and where the sport can be experienced—making it visible, accessible, and relevant to modern audiences.

In the ELITE CANOE Category, 8 men and 8 women race individually in an elimination format. The last athlete in each round is eliminated, until only four athletes remain to contest the final.

The athletes will be pre-assigned to a team, and their points will contribute to that team’s overall score.

2. Race Format

Course Design

  • Two buoys mark the start line.
  • Two additional buoys mark the finish line.
  • It is a straight race with no lanes.

Start Rules

Starts are given by an official approximately every 6–7 minutes.

  • The start command will be: “Start within ten seconds… Go!”
  • False start rules:
    • The first athlete to start early receives a false start.
    • Any athlete who starts early following the initial false start will be disqualified (DSQ).

Participants

  • 8 Men + 8 Women.
  • They race individually in separate brackets.

Progression System

8 men and 8 women race individually in an elimination format. The last athlete in each round is eliminated, until only four athletes remain to contest the final.

1st Round: 8th → Eliminated

2nd Round: 7th → Eliminated

3rd Round: 6th → Eliminated

4th Round: 5th → Eliminated

Remaining four contest the final

3. Safety Rules

  • Allowed:
    • Minimal Canoe-to-Canoe contact.
    • Brief paddle contact.
  • Not Allowed:
    • Holding back another athlete or their boat.
    • Purposeful paddle strokes off another body.
    • Dangerous head/body contact.
  • Broken paddle:
    • Athlete must drop back or finish alone.
    • Paddle may be dropped; hands may be used.
  • Judges assess all incidents.

4. Penalties

  • The first athlete to start early receives a false start.
  • Any athlete who starts early following the initial false start will be disqualified (DSQ).
  • DNF: capsize without remounting.
  • No protests allowed.
  • All races are video judged.