Paddle Games – 2025 Elite Format & Rules Summary

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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.

The event prioritises:

• Dynamic media coverage
• Social media engagement
• Athlete showcase
• Spectator entertainment
• Sustainability and innovation

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2. Race Format

Course Design

• Two buoys mark the start line.
• Two additional buoys mark the turns.
• Paddlers may choose either buoy to turn (inside → outside).
• Starts are given by an automatic timer visible to paddlers.
  • At 00:00, a horn sound signals the start.
  • False start rules:
    • Early crossing (without bow over line): 10-second penalty
    • Bow crossing line before horn: Disqualification (DSQ)

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Teams

• 8 Teams total.
• Each team has 2 men + 2 women.
• Athletes are split into heats and semifinals before finals.

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Progression System

1. Heats → Top 2 progress directly to Final A.
   Others move to Semifinals (redraw from the heats).
2. Semifinals → Top 2 progress to Final A, rest to Final B.
3. Finals may include multiple athletes from the same team depending on qualification.

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Turn Negotiation

• A turn is valid if:
  • The whole boat crosses one of the two turns.
  • Turns must go inside → outside.
• Contact rules:
  • Buoy touches allowed.
  • Moving buoys for unfair advantage is not allowed.

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3. Safety Rules

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

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4. Penalties

• 10-second penalty: crossing line before horn without bow over.
• Disqualification (DSQ):
  • Bow over line at start.
  • Non-negotiated turn (unless corrected).
  • Wrong turn direction.
• Did Not Finish (DNF):
  • Capsizing without remounting.
• No protests are allowed.
• All races are video judged.

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5. Scoring System

Individual Ranking Points

• 1st = 8 pts
• 2nd = 7 pts
• 3rd = 6 pts
• … down to 8th = 1 pt
• Final B placings = fractional points (e.g., 9th = 0.9, 10th = 0.8, etc.)

Team Points

• Total = sum of individual paddler points.

Example:

• Team A: 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 4th → 27 pts
• Team B: 3rd, 1st, 4th, 5th → 23 pts

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Mixed K2

• After individual races:
  • Top 4 teams → Mixed K2 Final A.
  • Teams ranked 5–8 → Mixed K2 Final B.
• Results add to team score.

K2 Ranking Points:

• Same as individual (8–1).

Example:

• Team A: 27 pts (individual) + 8 pts (K2) = 35 pts.
• Team B: 23 pts (individual) + 6 pts (K2) = 29 pts.

6. Prizes

• Top 3 Teams overall.
• Top 3 Male and Female paddlers in their finals.

Download the 2025 Visual Rule Book below.

Download the 2024 Visual Rule Book below.