Rules and Guidelines
4.6 Canoeing - NSWCHSSA Championship
4.6.1 Age divisions
(a) General rule:
The age attained in the current year is the competitor’s age division for the championship.
(b) Groupings:
(i) Slalom, whitewater sprints, wild water races and flatwater sprints:
12 years – 12 years and under
14 years – 14 years and under
16 years – 16 years and under
Open – 17 years and over (maximum age – 19 years)
4.6.2 Competition rules and events
(a) General rules all events:
(i) No boat sharing is permitted
(ii) Teams and pairs – in teams or pair events, all paddlers must be from the same school, or if this is not possible, from the same region. The association teams or pairs must be approved by the state convener. If association teams or pairs are not possible, then the state convener may approve any variations. Students attending an all-boys or all-girls school can paddle in mixed crews, providing the schools take students from the same locality (e.g. Blacktown BHS paddler may combine with a paddler from Blacktown GHS in a mixed C2 event).
(b) Slalom:
(i) General rules:
Slalom competitors may compete in only one age division in Kayak events, and one age division in C1 events.
In C2 events, entry is limited to two individual events, (i.e. open Mixed C2 and one other).
No open/touring style Canadian Canoes may be used in the Slalom Competition – ONLY SLALOM C2's.
In teams’ events, paddlers are limited to one K1 team, one C1 team, one C2 team event and one CAT 4 team.
If time constraints exist, team events may be decided using one run.
(ii) Events, classes, and sections
K1 events: Men and Women – 12, 14, 16 and open
C1 events: Men and Women – 12, 14, 16 and open
C2 events: Men and Women – 12, 14, 16 and open and open Mixed
Team events: Men and Women – 12, 14, 16 and open and open Mixed
(c) Whitewater sprints:
(i) General rules:
Competitors may paddle any two of K1 or C1 or C2.
Where there are insufficient boats of event, i.e. DRR K1, C1 and C2, the corresponding age of SK1, Slalom C1 and C2 may be combined with the DRR boats to make a class.
Results will be decided on the fastest of two runs.
(ii) Events, sections and classes:
Classes: DRR – K1, SK1, DRR C1, and C2
C1 and C2 slalom boats are permitted – this may be varied at the state convener's discretion.
(d) Wildwater races
(i) General rules:
Wild Water competitors are permitted one start in either K1 or C1 events and one start in C2 events.
Where there are insufficient boats of event, i.e. DRR K1, C1 and C2, the corresponding age of SK1, Slalom C1 and C2 will be combined with the DRR boats to make a class.
For the purpose of the SK1 Wild Water event, boats must be no longer than 4.3 metres or less than 60 cm wide.
The intention of this event is to allow competitors to compete in Wild Water without the need to transport as extra craft, the canoe being used in slalom competition being the craft paddled in the Wild Water event. Where any doubt exists as to the eligibility of any craft for the SK1 section, a final decision will be made by the state convener or appointed judge.
(ii) Events, classes and sections:
Kayak: DRR K1 AND SK1: Men and Women – 12, 14, 16 and open
Canadian canoe: C1 AND C2: Men and Women – 12, 14, 16 and open and open mixed
Choice of Canadian Canoe is optional in Wild Water events.
Kayak Teams: An open Kayak teams race will be conducted after the individual events – only Wildwater DRR's allowed.
(e) Canoe Polo:
(i) General rules:
Each region may enter two teams per division.
Teams may be a school team representing the region or a composite team from school within the region. If this team composition is not possible, teams may also be made up of players from different areas but points will not count toward the regional championship. Maximum of seven players per team.
(ii) Divisions:
Girls Senior, open Senior (15 years and Over)
Girls Junior, open Junior (Under 15 years)
(f) Flatwater sprints:
(i) General rules:
All events will be conducted over 500 metres with two races over 5,000 metres, the first being for K2's and the second for individual boats.
Three entries per school per event unless otherwise decided by the state convener.
Two 500 metres sprint events in Kayak and one C1 per paddler.
Divisions: Men and Women – 12, 14, 16 and open and open Mixed
(ii) Events, classes and sections:
Sprint kayaks with rudders:
Only sprint boats allowed in these events. C1's and C2's must be sprint boats.
Down river racing kayaks:
For Wild Water craft without rudders (no modifications permitted to standard DRR. Canoes, no sprint boats with rudders removed).
Slalom kayaks:
This includes all plastic kayaks that have been accepted by the state convener.
5000 metres:
The only craft allowed in these races are sprint kayaks with rudders and DRR Kayaks and Canoes.
(g) Freestyle:
(i) General rules:
When water conditions are suitable a freestyle competition shall be conducted.
Divisions: Men and Women – 12, 14, 16 and open and open Mixed
(ii) Events, classes and sections:
Kayak and Canoe playboats as per ICF and ACF regulations.
6.5.3 General information
(a) Constitution of a class:
Three entries starting in an event will constitute a class, where less than three starters arrive, the state convener reserve the right to advance competitors to the nearest older division or grouping. Where a properly constituted class does not run, place certificates may be awarded at the discretion of the state convener with points allotted in the schools and regional points score competition.
(b) The state convener may vary events, classes and sections depending on the number of entries, time available and water conditions.
(c) Region and schools competition:
Three points will be awarded for a first place, two for a second and one for a third. For the points to be scored for a pairs or teams event, all members of the pair or team must be from the same region (for regional championship) or school (for the school championship).
(d) Individual champions:
For Wildwater, Slalom, Whitewater Sprints, and Flatwater Sprints Mens and Womens events, respectively, times will be listed in order (i.e. fasted to slowest) for all individual paddlers in K1 and C1 boats, regardless of age ,the first placed paddler shall receive ten (10) points, the second placed paddler shall receive nine (9) points through to the tenth placed paddler receiving one (1) point. For the freestyle competition (when run) points will be awarded from first to tenth in the same manner described above for the highest point scores. The individual boy and girl with the highest points at the end of the NSWCHSSA and NSW All Schools Canoeing championship shall be awarded the trophy for being the Individual champion, no teams or pairs win count in this point scoring.
(e) Award of medals and certificates:
(i) Where there are less than three entries in a class, competitors will be moved up to the next class wherever possible.
(ii) Medals and certificates:
(iii) Where a certificate winner in a class has a time better than the winner of a higher class, that competitor may be presented with a medal at the state convener’s discretion.
(f) Transport:
Transport to the venue is the responsibility of the paddler, the school or regional convener/organiser.
(g) Camping:
Competitors must provide their own camping gear.
(h) Catering:
Competitors are responsible for their own catering
(i) Fees:
Camping and course hire fees may be levied if applicable at the venue. Where fees are payable team managers are requested to collect all fees for their group and pay to Championship organisers on arrival at site.
(j) Entries:
All entries are to be sent directly to the state convener. Postal address, name, closing date for entries etc, will be notified prior to the championship each year, via the
All entries should be made online – NSWCHSSA / NSW All Schools Canoeing State Championship Entry Form.
Late entries will not be accepted.
(k) Eligibility:
(i) Entrants must be students attending state secondary schools in NSW during the current year and must be below 20 years of age in the year of competition. Students who attain the age of 20 years in the year of competition are not eligible.
(ii) Entrants must have qualified at regional or state carnival trials held in northern, southern or central parts of the state to satisfy the regional convener of their ability.
(l) Early arrivals at site:
(i) Safety officers will not be supervising the course until the first official events. No responsibility will be accepted for competitors practicing on the course prior to the championship.
(ii) No competitors are to enter the water unless safety personnel are in position. Failure to observe safety precautions and any out-of-bounds areas will result in immediate and total disqualification from the competition.
(m) Safety:
(i) End loops must be at least 6mm in diameter (if made of rope) or 15mm in width (if made of strapping) and in good condition. Properly made toggles will also be accepted as end loops.
(ii) Any end loop made of rope or strapping must be large enough to allow an object at least 10cm x 2cm to pass through, and must be securely anchored to the craft. It will be tested to approximately 25kg tension.
The state convener will accept no responsibility for damage if the end loop pulls through the deck.
(iii) End loops must NOT be taped down.
(iv) No rough or jagged edges will be permitted, and seats must be in good condition and fixed firmly to the hull.
(v) Buoyancy must be adequate (at least 1 cubic foot) and fixed firmly in position. Buoyancy bags if used must be in position and inflated at scrutineering.
(vi) For the purpose of this championship (Slalom and Wild Water) painters or deck liners are not permitted.
(n) Personal safety equipment:
(i) An approved safety vest or life jacket is compulsory.
(ii) An approved safety helmet is compulsory (done up).
(iii) Spray sheets are recommended.
(iv) Footwear must be worn. (If the wearing of footwear makes exit from some Canadian Canoes difficult, such paddlers may be exempt from wearing footwear; with socks still recommended, providing prior approval has been obtained from the state convener).
(o) Protest committee:
A Protest Committee shall be elected consisting of the state convener and three elected secondary school teachers.
(p) All Schools Championship:
An all-schools championship shall be run in conjunction with the NSWCHSSA Championship with all rules and regulations listed above applying.
All paddlers entering the championship are eligible to enter this competition.
(q) Small Schools Championship
A small schools championship for both NSWCHSSA Schools and NSW All Schools shall be run in conjunction with the NSWCHSSA competition with all rules and regulations listed above applying.
All schools with three of less paddlers are eligible to contest this competition.