Whitewater Racing
|
|
2004-03-07-jonathan-fairnilee-4.jpg
Whitewater racing is a competitive discipline of canoeing using either kayaks or canadian canoes. The aim is to get down a river in the fastest time possible.
In England the sport is called Wild Water Racing.
Competitors are classed by type of boat and gender. They are numbered within their class by their ranking in previous races and compete in reverse order (best paddler last) usually at one minute intervals.
Whitewater racing courses are typically 10 to 20 minutes long and ideally have as many rapids as possible. Typically grade II to IV rivers are used, as opposed to extreme racing where harder rivers are paddled.
Whitewater racing canoes are long and thin making them fast but unstable and hard to turn. They are turned when racing by leaning to one side rather than with wide sweep strokes. Two wings at the back behind the paddler add stability and make the boats conform to the minimum width required for races, the wings are out of the water so do not cause drag.
Popular whitewater racing courses in Scotland include Grandtully and Stanley on the River Tay.
Popular whitewater racing courses in England include the Washburn and the Tees.
Popular whitewater racing courses in Wales include the Tryweryn, and the Dee (although canoeing is currently banned here).