Paracanoe

Para canoe is canoeing for athletes with a range of physical disabilities. The Paralympic version of the sport is governed by the International Canoe Federation (ICF), and a va'a-specific variant is governed by the International Va'a Federation (IVF). The first Para canoe racing event was held in Dartmouth, Canada in 2009 at the Canoe Sprint World Championship. A meeting of the International Paralympic Committee Governing Board in Guangzhou, China in 2010 decided to add Para canoe to the Paralympic programme. As a result, Para canoe debuted at the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympics where single kayak races were contested. Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games marked the debut of va’a, competing in three medal events, two for men and one for women, hosting 9 races. EquipmentThe two main types of paracanoe boat are kayaks (K), with a double-blade paddle, and outrigger canoes called va'as (V) where the paddler has a second hull as a support float and uses a single blade paddle with a T-top handle. ICF paracanoeClassificationIn the single kayak, there are three event classifications (linked to different levels of mobility impairment) for both men and women. Both kayak and va’a have three different