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Advice for those who are new to paddle sports

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Home > Rafting and Canoeing > Advice for beginners

Equipment you will need

* Warm clothes to put on when you get out of the water, even in the summer because the water is cold.
* Old trainers or other shoes with grippy soles which you don't mind getting wet.
* Swimming costume / trunks.
* You will be given a wetsuit, life jacket and helmet if necessary.

What is Slalom Racing?

In Slalom Racing, paddlers have to navigate the kayak or canoe through pairs of poles, called "gates", set up over the challenging rapids, waves, eddies and currents on a specified stretch of rough water. If the paddler touches one of the poles, or misses a gate altogether, penalty times are added to the time achieved by the competitor on that run. They can be single or team events. The discipline made its appearance in the Olympic Games in Munich in 1972 and then had to wait until 1992 to be reinstated to the Olympic programme.

What is Flatwater Racing?

In Flatwater Racing events, paddlers race on a straight course, each boat in a separate lane, over three different distances : 200m, 500m and 1000m. There single or team events for both canoes and kayaks. This form of racing became an Olympic discipline in 1936 and its programme includes events over 500m and 1000m. In a kayak, the paddler is seated and uses a two-blade paddle, while in a canoe, the paddler is kneeling on one knee, and uses a single blade paddle.

What is Wildwater Racing?

In Wildwater Racing events, the paddlers have to race down a river, in the fastest time possible. Classic races can be up to half an hour in duration, or there are sprints which can be between 400m to 800 m in length, so only last a few minutes. Events can be single or team for kayaks or canoes.

What is Freestyle?

Freestyle kayaking is a white water sport where the paddler performs a range of acrobatic tricks and manoeuvres on a river feature such as a wave or hole. The discipline is enjoyed by many as a recreational sport and at the top level by those participating in competitions both nationally and internationally. The sport is constantly moving forward with paddlers developing new spectacular moves.

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last updated 4 Nov 08