The 2024 International Canoe Federation Congress in Antalya saw many crucial decisions taken regarding the future of the sport.  

From Thomas Konietzko's re-election as President and endorsement of the new headquarters in Budapest to the launch of the Fit For Future Evolution strategy and the centenary celebrations, the gathering in Turkey kickstarted a new era. 

Among them were also rule changes to certain disciplines effective from January 2025. Here is one each from Canoe Sprint, Canoe Slalom, Canoe Marathon, Stand Up Paddling and Dragon Boat.  

Canoe Sprint  

In the non-Olympic Canoe Sprint 5000m events, the races can be organised in a relay format, especially after two successful test events at the Auronzo 2023 and Plovdiv 2024 editions of the ICF Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint World Championships. 

It was also confirmed that the event could be organised with or without a portage. 

Canoe Slalom  

It was decided to add two new events for kayak cross — the men's kayak individual and the women's kayak individual — to add more value to the time trials. Since the arrival of kayak cross on the international scene, the time trial has been a key component in seeding athletes in the brackets as paddlers look to get down the course as quickly as possible.  

Canoe Marathon & Paracanoe  

After three years of testing, it was decided to integrate Paracanoe events — 6.8km for KL1 and VL1; 10.2km for KL2, VL2, KL3, and VL3 and the open class — into the Canoe Marathon World Championships.  

Both the Canoe Marathon and the Paracanoe Committees played a significant role in achieving this innovation. The advantage of the open class is that it welcomes additional impairments, including upper limb impairments, short stature, intellectual impairment, leg length difference, visual impairment, hypertonia, ataxia, and athetosis.  

It was also agreed to add men's and women's junior classes for short distance races at the World Championships.  

SUP  

Athletes taking part in the junior events at the World Championships must race in the one-design ICF SUP board 14. 

This will make the sport more accessible for juniors due to reduced costs for equipment. This way, they can arrive at the venue with their paddles and not worry about equipment transportation.  

Dragon Boat 

It was decided to add the eight-seater boat and its specifications to go in line with The World Games 2025 in Chengdu. 

Another change was about adjustments to be made in the 10-seater and 20-seater boats to fit manufacturers’ products on the market. 

For a complete guide to all rule changes across disciplines, click here.