Canoe / Kayak

Canoe / Kayak

Canoeing is a recreational boating activity or paddle sport in which you kneel or sit facing forward in an open or closed-decked canoe, and propel yourself with a single-bladed paddle, under your own power.

Kayaking is use of a kayak for moving across water. It is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle. A kayak is a boat where the paddler faces forward, legs in front, using a double-bladed paddle. Most kayaks have closed decks.

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Age categories

The age categories differ per competition format, see below:

Canoe Slalom, Sprint, Marathon and Ocean Racing: 35+, 40+, 45+, 50+, 55+, 60+, 65+, 70+
The age of the youngest paddler in a boat will determine the age category.

Canoe Polo: 30+ and 45+

A Grade – Competitive: will be comprised of two divisions – men and women.
B Grade – Recreational: will be one open division, ie. teams can be men’s, women’s or a combination (in any male/female ratio) and will play against each other.
The age of the youngest competitor in the team will determine the team’s age category.

Dragon Boat: 40+ (Masters), 50+ (Grand Masters), 60+ (Great Grand Dragon)

For all events, the age category you will compete in for Canoeing will be determined as at 31 December of the year of the event. For example, if you are 44 during Games time but have turned 45 by 31 December, you would compete in the 45+ age category.

Events and disciplines

Canoe Polo
Canoe Sprint, Marathon, Ocean Racing – K1, K2, K4, C1, C2 – 200m, 500m, 1000m, 2000m
Canoe Slalom – K1, C1, C2
Dragon Boating – 200m, 500m, 2000m

“The IMGA doesn’t allow building new venues and encourages the host cities to use existing facilities to keep the costs lower. Therefore, all sport information is subject to changes depending on the venues available.”

Athlete Comments & Reviews

“One of the best experiences of my life!”

“Since I started the journey in 2013 with the Masters Games it’s been one of the most marvellous experiences of my life. Apart from getting married and having children. It’s fantastic!”

“We have so much fun and you share special moments together”

“You’re always among friends, and you have a lot of fun, and you cry together, you laugh together, you’re disappointed together.. But most of the time you just have fun.”

“Sport helps mentally and physically”

“Sport is so important, because it keeps you sharp. I don’t just mean physically but mentally as well. Everybody gets stressed by different things in their life and just being able to get out there and exercise, getting rid of a little bit of that tension can help you mentally as well physically.”

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