The Sport
Paracanoe is the canoeing discipline
for athletes with an impairment and races are contested by two types of boat,
kayak (K) and va’a (V). The kayak is propelled by a double-blade paddle, while
the va’a is an outrigger canoe which has an ama (second pontoon) as a support
float and is used with a single-blade paddle.
Classes
There are two disciplines, each with a specific
classification which is based on the same principle.
KL1/VL1 is for athletes who primarily propel with
their arms only (with very limited or no trunk function and no leg function).
KL2/VL2 is for athletes who propel themselves with
their arms and partial trunk and leg function.
KL3/VL3 is for athletes have full
function of their arms and trunk, and partial function in the legs.
Eligible Impairment Types: Impaired
muscle power, Impaired passive range of movement, Limb deficiency
History
Para canoe is a young sport which
developed at the start of the century thanks to big efforts of the sport’s
governing body International Canoe Federation (ICF) and the International Va
Federation (IVF), who both pushed for the inclusion of Para canoe within
abled-bodied competitions.
In 2009, the ICF organised the first
Para canoe showcase event, which was a big success. One year later, Para canoe
had its first World Championships and was included into the Paralympic
programme at the IPC Governing Board meeting in Guangzhou, China.
Paralympic Debut
The world’s top canoers hit
Paralympic waters for the first time in history at Rio 2016. The sport is
exactly like canoeing for able-bodied athletes, allowing those with physical
impairments at all levels to enjoy the sport.
The success of this sport lead to
Va'a boat making its first Paralympic experience at Tokyo 2020.
Iran Para Canoe
Canoe for the first time was
administered in 2009 and same year players represented Team Iran at 2009 World
Championships in Italy.
2009 also, the first edition of the
national championships was staged in the country.
Currently, para athletes are under
support of IRICRSF which is member of the NPC to get support.
Media
Watch an introduction to Para Canoe
on Paralympic Sports A-Z: Canoe