Paralympic Games
24 August - 5 September 2021

Sport week: Classification in Para canoe

Learn more about the six different classes in the sport 18 Mar 2020
Imagen
a female Para canoeist mid-stroke on the water
Maryna Mazhula competes in the women's KL1 category
ⒸBence Vekassy
By IPC

In Para canoe, athletes are grouped into sport classes according to the impact of their impairment when racing in a kayak or va’a boat. There are six sport classes:

KL1/VL1 is for athletes who propel with their arms only.

KL2/VL2 athletes who propel themselves with their arms and trunk.

KL3/VL3 athletes who have full function of their arms and trunk, and partial function in the legs.

Only men’s and women’s KL1, KL2, KL3, VL2; and men’s VL3 will be contested at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Athletes with impaired muscle power, impaired passive range of movement or limb deficiency are eligible to compete in Para canoe.