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Canoe Slalom

The History of Canoe Slalom in FISU

A new form of canoeing sports and a very spectacular wild water sport, canoe slalom was added by FISU to its World University Championships programme in 1994. Its first edition was held in Prague. Local kayakers proved their nimble skills on water circuits they knew very well. They took five gold medals, four silver and one bronze. The chair of the slalom committee of the International Canoeing Federation described this championship as the best of the world, which was very encouraging for FISU. The future Olympic champions, Lukas Pollert and Patrice Estanguet, participated in this first edition. In 1998, the city of Metz hosted the second edition on a splendid site, located near the city centre. It was a high-level and harsh confrontation. No less than half of the world’s best kayakers were present, including Slovakia’s Peter and Pavol Hochschorner, and Elena Kaliska. They met with strong opposition from the French team, which was led by Tony Estanguet – multiple Olympic Champion since then. This championship featured the highest intensity to the great delight of the public lined along the circuit. After a small break, the fifth edition of the World University Canoe Slalom (Whitewater Canoeing) Championship was staged in Krakow. Fourteen countries arrived with their best kayakers to this nice old town to beat the records of previous championships. Bratislava hosted the 2008 edition in a brand-new wild sport area, offering an amazing competition and a great show for spectators.

FISU Regulations

The canoe slalom competition has its own FISU Regulations following the most recent rules of the International Canoe Federation (ICF). The FISU Regulations are always set up on the recommendation of the FISU Technical Chair and the ICF Technical Delegate in close cooperation with the Committee for Sports Regulations, and approved by the FISU Executive Committee. In principle, the programme shall last three (3) days and include the events below.

Each country is authorised to enter a maximum of twenty-five (25) persons of which twenty (20) may be competitors and five (5) officials.
Each country may enter:
Individuals events: not more than (4) competing boats in each category.

Men	Women
Slalom
Canoe 1 / Canoe 2 / Kayak 1	Kayak 1
Descent
Kayak 1	Kayak 1

Minimum Requirements for Canoe Slalom

With the canoe slalom CT approval, the Organising Committee must provide, for exclusive use, outdoor sports facilities in all competition and training facilities for men's and women's whitewater canoeing events. The ICF regulations must be followed.

Competition and Training Facilities

Type of Venue	Number of Venues	Changing Room Competitors	Changing Room TOJR*	Spectator Seating	Press and Media Seating
Outdoor Facilities	1	Gender Segregated	x	1,000	50