Kayak cross, also known as extreme kayaking, is a version of kayak slalom that emerged in 2015. As in traditional kayak and canoe slalom, paddlers maneuver upstream and downstream through a water obstacle course. While the original sport is already an adrenaline rush in itself, kayak cross raises the stakes even higher: more than two meters above the ground, to be exact, as four participants start from a springboard.
Kayak cross is a contact sport, so paddlers competing against the clock can use their paddles to impede their opponents. If that’s not enough, kayakers must also perform an Eskimo flip before crossing the finish line. This is a 360-degree flip in the water with the kayak and then landing back in an upright position.
This sequence of events is repeated over and over again, and the winners move on to the next round until the finalists face off for the championship. It’s a combination of all whitewater sports, and as you can probably tell, it’s not for the faint of heart.
Kayak cross rules
Kayak cross competitors must follow strict safety rules if they want to avoid disqualification. Here are the rules:
- Both hands must be on the paddles at all times.
- Competitors may make contact with another kayaker’s boat to push them off the course, but they may not ram into the bodies of other competitors.
- Using a paddle to prevent a competitor from moving forward is prohibited.
- Paddles must not have sharp edges, and all equipment, including life jackets and helmets, must comply with the rules of kayaking and canoeing.
- Violation of the start is grounds for disqualification.
- Missing a buoy on the course or passing a buoy on the wrong side can also lead to disqualification.
- Completion of the Eskimo flip within the designated boundaries is mandatory for all participants.