text: Slalom and wildwater In ICF whitewater slalom, paddlers negotiate their way down  of whitewater rapids through a series of up to 25 gates (pairs of hanging poles). The colour of the poles indicates the direction in which the paddlers must pass through; time penalties are assessed for striking poles or missing gates. Categories are C1 (solo) and C2 (tandem), the latter for two men, and C2M (mixed) for one woman and one man. C1 boats must have a minimum weight and width of  and  and be not more than  long. C2s must have a minimum weight and width of  and , and be not more than . Rudders are prohibited. Canoes are decked and propelled by single-bladed paddles, and the competitor must kneel.
  In ICF wildwater canoeing, athletes paddle a course of class III to IV whitewater (using the International Scale of River Difficulty), passing over waves, holes and rocks of a natural riverbed in events lasting either 20–30 minutes ("Classic" races) or 2–3 minutes ("Sprint" races). Categories are C1 and C2 for both women and men. C1s must have a minimum weight and width of  and , and a maximum length of . C2s must have a minimum weight and width of  and , and a maximum length of . Rudders are prohibited. The canoes are decked boats which must be propelled by single bladed paddles, with the paddler kneeling inside.