Paracanoe classification

Paracanoe (also: Para canoe or Paracanoeing ) is the name of a Canoeing discipline for people with disabilities. Even the sports equipment used, a specially adapted racing canoe is called Paracanoe.

Competitions in Paracanoe were first held in 2009 in Dartmouth ( Canada ) as part of the Canoe Sprint World Championships and have been since the 2010 World Cup in Poznan official part of the competition program. The Paralympic Summer Games in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro Paracanoe was also included in the program of the Paralympic Games.

Competitions

Paracanoeing competitions will be played according to the (adjusted ) rules of canoe racing over a distance of 200 m in fixed orbits. The division of the competition classes is based on movement ability of legs ( L leg), arms ( A for poor ) and trunk (T for trunk).

For World Cup program in 2011 included races in eight classes, five for men and three for women.

Boats

There are ( Va'as / V1) used one kayak ( K1) and outrigger canoes. For each Paracanoe - athletes in the seat and sometimes the paddle is customized. There are a number of specialized manufacturers.

Background

The International Canoe Federation (ICF ) accelerated since the 2000s as part of his program Sports For All ( sport for all ) his efforts to the integration of people with disabilities. Unlike in other sports while the concept was pursued, the competitions together align with those for non- disabled, which is a particular challenge posed to the host ( and is ) as a barrier-free access to major functional areas of the race course must be ensured.

In 2009, the first held in Dartmouth in the World Championships demonstration race in Paracanoe, was attended by participants from eleven nations took part, in 2010 it became the official World Cup sport with 28 nations. Since 2009 there is also Paracanoe European Championships.

Paracanoe in Germany

The Paracanoe athletes are like non-disabled canoeists in the German Canoe Association organized ( DKV). Many clubs DKV now offer Paracanoe sports. Since 2011, the German champions are determined in Paracanoe during the German Canoe Racing Championships, together with the non-disabled athletes.

To date, the most successful German Parakanute Gerhard Bowitzki by the Association PCK Schwedt water. He was at the Paracanoe World Cup 2012 in Poznan world champion in the class V1. Bowitzki reached in the previous two World Cups already the 2nd and 3rd place.