Everyone should have the opportunity to experience the joys of Canoe Kayak. Paracanoe is based on sprint paddling with a few adaptations for persons with physical disabilities. The fact you don’t need to be able to run or walk makes Paracanoe an ideal sport for people with limited use of their lower body. Paracanoe athletes are classified based on the ability an athlete has in his or her legs, trunk and arms (LTA, TA and A). Paracanoe made its debut at the 2016 Paralympic Games program in Rio de Janeiro and at Paris 2024, Brianna Hennessy won Team Canada’s first ever medal – silver in the Women’s KL1 Va’a. Canoe Kayak Canada has been a leading force internationally in making the sport accessible to everyone.
PARACANOE CLASSIFICATION
Athletes competing in Para sport have physical impairments. Para Athletes are classified based on their physical impairments into Sport Classes. More information on the international standards of para sport can be found on the International Canoe Federations (ICF) website here.
In the Canadian System we allow for two types of boats, Kayak (K) and Va’a (V). There are three physical impairment classifications in each of the boat classes KL1, KL2, KL3 and General for kayak and VL1, VL2, VL3 and General for va’a. Once classified with a sport class, paddlers are allocated a Classification Status.
A National Classification Masterlist that details the status of all athletes who have undergone national classification can be found here. To see the ICF’s international classification Masterlist please visit here.
More information on Classification
Eligible Impairment types – See PaddleUKs information about different types of impairments.
How does Classification work?
A Para Athlete must be classified by ICF trained classifiers. The process involves a physical test, technical test and if necessary, observation in competition. All of these tests are combined to result in an athletes final classification.
A minimum of two classifiers form a classification panel. One being a medical classifier (a doctor or physiotherapist) and a technical classifier (someone from the sport like a coach). Both medical and technical classifiers must have undertaken the ICF paracanoe classifier training.
Athletes should first complete National level classification. In Canada, this often happens at National Team Trials or at National Championships.
Required Classification Forms:
Annual Paracanoe Forms (to be submitted by all athletes)
PROVINCE |
WAIVER |
| Québec | |
| Rest of Canada / Reste du Canada |
Classification Forms Submission Process
All the forms listed in the “Required Classification Forms” section need to be submitted through the CKC Paracanoe Classification Request Form 1 month prior to any CKC competition where classification will be offered. For 2025 the dates are:
If you are unsure if you require Classification, or if you need to submit documentation, please reach out to Kenna at development@canoekayak.ca.
Want to be a Canadian Classifier?
Reach out to CKC to submit your interest to development@canoekayak.ca
WEBINARS
A double-bladed paddle and kayak is used for K1while a single bladed paddle an outrigger canoe is used for the V1. The K1 is typically slightly wider than a standard sprint boat to allow for some additional stability. In V1 the single outrigger helps an athlete balance. Custom seats and back support are also common adaptive elements.
Paracanoe competition are run in the same format as sprint competitions with nine boats lined up head-to-head and competitors progressing through heats, semis and finals. The standard race distance for Paracanoe is 200 metres.
Men’s K1 200 LTAMen’s K1 200 TA
Men’s K1 200 A
Men’s V1 200 LTAMen’s V1 200 TA
Men’s V1 200 A
Women’s K1 200 LTA
Women’s K1 200 TA
Women’s K1 200 A
Women’s V1 200 LTA
Women’s V1 200 TA
Women’s V1 200 A
Ama – the pontoon on an outrigger V1 boat
Classification – the process of assessing an athletes’ ability based on certain criteria so they can be properly placed in the LTA, TA or A category
Medical Classifier – a classifier who assesses an athlete based on medical criteria
Technical Classifier – a classifier who assesses an athlete based on technical criteria
LTA – category for a paracanoe athlete who has use of their legs, trunk and arms
TA – category for a paracanoe athlete who has use of their trunk and arms
A – category for a paracanoe athlete who has use of their arms
Va’a – a canoe with an ama. The V1 design is modeled off the va’a which has Polynesian origins
