SAFETY: Paddlers must be protected from hazardous conditions resulting from weather, water, boat traffic, or mechanical failures. Safety is vital and absolute; it outweighs all other aspects of officiating.
FAIRNESS: Officials must work to provide a competitive environment that is fair to all crews and must ensure even-handed interpretation and application of the rules.
Officials ensure fair and high-quality competitions. They run the competition according to the rules to produce accurate results. There are specific official roles for each discipline. For sprint and dragonboat races, there’s a starter as well as line judges in the finish tower and on-water referees. Slalom requires timing officials and gate judges to call penalties. Referees and time keepers are needed in canoe polo. In freestyle judges score tricks based on set criteria. Marathons have officials stationed throughout the course, especially at turning points and portages to ensure the race runs smoothly.
Canada has highly comprehensive officials programs. Every year Canadian officials travel to competitions all over the world to proudly volunteer. Becoming an official starts at the local club level. Many begin by casually volunteering with a competition and learn from other officials. Divisions and provinces have their own officials training program. Most programs have exams and evaluations to pass at each stage.
Canoe Kayak Canada manages the National Officials Program. The International Canoe Federation manages the international certification program and Canoe Kayak Canada plays a role in nominating officials. Officials who achieve their proper certifications become part of the pool to be selected for National and International Competitions.
The Canoe Kayak Canada Officials Program is a structured progressive program involving three levels of Officials (note: the Levels are from 1 to 4, but as Level 1 is only within a club it is often combined with Level 2 as many officials start their officiating at a inter-club regatta, which is why we refer to 3 levels). The fourth (Level 5 in definition as per note above) and final accreditation is obtained through the International Canoe Federation. The program stresses integration of theory, practical and competency based assessment at all levels.
For more information about becoming an official, please contact us directly.
