ParaCanoe

“The only limitations in life are the ones you create yourself.”

Equipment

Currently the boat of choice on the international scene is the Viper 55 a boat specifically adapted by the Nelo group for the disabled athlete. The other even more stable boat available is the Viper 60.

The adaptions Nelo have done on the boat are as follows:

–        Adjustable footrest

–        Locking Steering System to enable the boat to track in a straight line(this is particularly useful for athletes with lower limb disabilities

–        Specially designed seat for supporting the athlete and holding the upper body in the correct position.

These boats cost in the region of around Euro’s 2300.

There are boats with stabilizing pontoons on the side that have been developed as well, and these will also have to be looked at for athletes who really struggle with stability. The Viper or something similar to it should however cover a vast range of athletes.

 

ICF Paracanoe BOAT STANDARDS (Rev. February 22, 2011(4))

General Notes:

1. Modifications are permitted for stability if the boat is made slower. (ie. stabilizing pontoons)

2. Adaptation equipment is not regulated. It is included as part of the weight of the boat if it is securely attached.

 

K-1 Maximum Length	520 cm.
Minimum Width	50 cm. (measured 10cm from the bottom of the hull)
Minimum Weight	12 kg.

 

K-2 Maximum Length	650 cm.
Minimum Width	47 cm. (measured 10cm from the bottom of the hull)
Minimum Weight	18 kg.

 

V-1 Maximum Length	730 cm
Minimum Weight	13 kg.

 

V-1 Ama (pontoon) Maximum Length

See note 1 below

 

V-2 Maximum Length	850cm
Minimum Weight	18 kg

 

V-2 Ama (pontoon) Maximum Length

See note 1 below

 

Va’a Notes:

 

1 The va’a shall be a single hull va’a, rigged with a single ama (outrigger pontoon) and double ‘iako (spreaders), separated by at least one (1) seat.

 

2  A.) The hull, ama and ‘iako must meet the specifications set forth

above.

B ) When the event host is not providing a set of identical V1 or V2 for

the event, the hull, ama and ‘iako must meet the specifications set

forth above.

 

3. Para Va’a equipment such as a support seat must be removable. The paddler may supply his/her own equipment as approved by the IVF Para Va’a Committee Chair.

 

4. Either sit-in or sit-on-top va’a may be used; however, the sit-in va’a is recommended.

5. The ama will be attached on the left side, but must be able to be attached on the right side to accommodate paddler needs as approved by the IVF Para Va’a Committee Chair.

6. Rudders are not permitted.

Seats

The seat used in a number of para canoes is of great significance to the athlete who uses the boat, more so than the able bodied athlete as the seat often provides a number of benefits/necessities to the disabled athlete. A number of advances have been made around seats and setups for the disabled athlete.

 

What are the classification for a disabled athlete

Classification

The classification for athletes used at the World Championships in 212  is laid out below. We will have to keep abreast of any additions/deletions in the categories which may take place. The classifications are laid out by the ICF prior to all events

Classification System – used at World Championships 2012

ICF recognizes three (3) sport classes for PaddleAbility: LTA, TA, A.

The International Va’a Federation (IVF) recognizes six (6) sport classes.  The following classifications blend the two classification systems.

Note:  Minor refinements are being worked upon with a need to better align the IVF and the ICF Systems, to ensure alignment with IPC standards and to ensure appropriate specific canoeing standards.

LTA  (IVF 5 & 6 Point Paddler)

The LTA class is for paddlers with a disability who have functional use of their legs, trunk and arms for paddling, and who can apply force to the foot board or the seat to propel the boat.  Eligible LTA paddlers may typically have a minimum disability equivalent to one of the following:

•  Amputee

•  Neurological Impairment equivalent to incomplete lesion at S1

•  Cerebral Palsy Class 8 (CPISRA)

LTA paddlers must meet minimum disability requirements:

LTA  –  The minimum physical disability is a full loss of three fingers on one hand, or at least a tarsal metatarsal amputation of the foot, or the loss of ten points on one limb or fifteen points across two limbs when assessed using the Functional Classification Test as set out in the Classification Application Form for Physical Disabilities and the ICF Classifiers Instructors Manual.

 

TA  (IVF 4 Point Paddler)

The TA class is for paddlers who have functional use of the trunk and arms.  They are unable to apply continuous and controlled force to the footboard or seat to propel the boat due to significantly weakened function of the lower limbs.

Eligible TA paddlers may typically have a minimum disability equivalent to at least one of the following:

•  Bilateral around knee amputation, or significantly impaired quadriceps, or

•  Neurological impairment equivalent to a complete lesion at L3 level, or an incomplete lesion at L1, or

•  Combination of the above such as one leg with around knee amputation and one leg with significant quadriceps impairment; or

•  Classification by the international sports federation for paddlers with cerebral palsy (CPISRA) as eligible to be in CP Class 5.

 

A  (IVF 1 – 3 Point Paddler)

The A class is for paddlers who have no trunk function (i.e. shoulder function only). An A class paddler is able to apply force predominantly using the arms and/or shoulders. These athletes will likely also have poor sitting balance.  Eligible paddlers may typically have a minimum disability equivalent to at least one of the following:

•  Cerebral Palsy Class 4 (CP-ISRA); or

•  Neurological Impairment with a complete lesion at T12 level, or an incomplete lesion at T10

 

“When I’m on the water, I feel the same as everyone else” – Carla Ferreira (Para Canoe Champ Portugal)

 

South African Classifier

Luke Symons will be trained by the ICF at World Sprint Champs in Duisburg August 2013.He will become the ICF classifier for the entire African Continent after his training

 

Current selection criteria for World Cup and World Champs

 

		LTA	TA	A
K1 200m	Men	55 secs	65 secs	70 secs
K1 200m	Women	65 secs	70 secs	75 secs
V1 200m	Men	65 secs	75 secs	80 secs
V1 200m	Women	80 secs	85 secs	90 secs

These times are the minimum qualification criteria. SA Para canoeing will however consider other factors when selecting teams to represent South Africa.

These factors will include the relative time the athlete has been canoeing, his/her future potential.

For World Championships only one athlete per event can be selected(for each gender) which will necessitate trials were more than one athlete per category exists.

 

Para Canoeing Contact

James Godden (082 895 2765)

James.godden@santam.co.za