Paracanoe World Championships

EVENT HISTORY

The Paracanoe World Championships is an annual event, often held in conjunction with the Canoe Sprint World Championships. However, unlike the Canoe Sprint discipline, Paracanoe World Championships are also conducted in Olympic years.

The first Paracanoe World Championships was conducted as an "exhibition event" at Dartmouth, Canada, in 2009. There were four races, including a mixed K2 and C2 event, which were non-medal events and were part of the overall sprint World Championship program.

In 2010 in Poznan, Poland, the Paracanoe World Championships became an official event. Seven events were contested - four men's and three women's. There were no mixed events. Brazil and Canada won two gold medals each.

After featuring on the Canoe Sprint program at the 2011 World Championships in Szeged, Hungary, the Paracanoe World Championships returned to Poznan in 2012 as a stand-alone event. Because it was an Olympic year there were no Canoe Sprint World Championships. There were 11 events contested, six for men and five for women. Great Britain's Jeanette Chippington, who had already enjoyed a very successful career as a swimmer, won four of the five gold medals on offer in the women's competition.

In 2013 there were equal events for men and women for the first time at a Paracanoe World Championships, with six races for each at the Duisburg, Germany, event.

The 2015 Paracanoe World Championships in Milan, Italy, doubled as a Paralympics selection event, after the discipline was officially added onto the Rio 2016 Paracanoe program.

A Paracanoe World Championships was also held in 2016 at Duisburg, Germany, where more athletes were able to qualify for the Paralympics.

As of 2015, the following events were contested at a Paracanoe World Championships for both men and women; KL1, KL2, KL3, VL1, VL2, VL3. All races are run over 200 metres.

CLASSIFICATIONS

KL1, VL1 - Previously known as Arms, these are paddlers who have no trunk function.

KL2, VL2 - Previously known as Trunk and Arms, these are paddlers who can use their trunk and arms, but have limited use of their legs.

KL3, VL3 - Previously known as LTA, these are paddlers who can use their legs, trunk and arms for paddling.

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Upcoming events

2026

January
2026 ICF PARACANOE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026
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