Extreme Downhill Kayaking

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Event

Location

Date // Time

TBA

Thu 25.06 // 10:00

Competition Concept

This is pure downhill.

A steep and technical section of whitewater. One paddler at a time. Full focus from start to finish.

Extreme Downhill is an individual time trial sprint where control, line choice and full commitment decide everything. Each paddler gets two qualification runs, and the best time counts. The fastest paddlers move on to the final.

With the rivers around Voss, we are guaranteed a serious challenge. The exact river section will be announced the day before the race based on water levels.

This is not a beginner event. The competition is for experienced paddlers who are comfortable in grade 4 and grade 5 whitewater and have a solid and reliable roll.

Format

- One-day event
- Two qualification runs
- Best time counts
- Top 10 in each category advance to the final
- If fewer than 30 competitors in a category, the top 5 advance to the final
- Maximum 80 participants

Mandatory Briefing

A mandatory race briefing will be held the day before the competition. Race bibs will be distributed during this meeting.

If you cannot attend, you must inform the organiser in advance. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.

The meeting location will be sent by email to all registered athletes. Please check your inbox.

Kayak Requirements

Kayak

- Mass-produced creek boat or half-slice creeker, manufactured after 2006 (maximum 20 years old). The kayak must be an appropriate size for the paddler.
- No weight limit.
- Maximum length 281 cm.
- The kayak must have airbags filling the majority of the stern.
- The kayak must be made of solid PE plastic (HDPE). Inflatables are not allowed.
- The kayak must be fitted with a full plate footrest or solid foam bulkhead.
- The kayak must have at least one of the following setups:
- Two attachment points (grab handles) on the bow and two on the stern.
- One attachment point on the bow and three on the stern.
- Handles must be in good condition, be of original specification (OEM), and be approved by the safety team. Removing excess handles is not permitted.
- Replacement or alternative composite outfitting is permitted if it is produced by a reputable manufacturer and available for purchase (for example Guigui or Hobson seats), and installed securely.
- Modifications that affect the structural integrity of the kayak are not allowed.
- The kayak must be structurally sound with no major cracks or obvious damage.
- The safety team has the final decision regarding approval of equipment. If you are unsure whether your equipment is permitted, contact the organiser well in advance to avoid disqualification on race day.

Other Required Equipment and Rules

- Whitewater certified helmet (EN 1385).
- Whitewater PFD (ISO certified for use in the EU) with safety harness and quick release.
- Adequate protection against cold water (long-sleeved dry top or dry suit is mandatory). Even if the weather is nice, the water is cold.
- Closed toe river shoes that will not fall off when swimming (for example lace or velcro closure).
- A throw bag is not mandatory for the race but recommended for practice.
- All equipment must be in good condition and function as certified. Broken helmets or visibly unsafe PFDs will not be allowed.

Paddler Rules

- Each paddler must have a solid roll and be comfortable paddling grade 4 and grade 5 rivers. Paddlers who qualify for the next round but do not wish to continue must inform the organisers as soon as possible.

- If a competitor has a complaint, it must be reported to the race leader. The protest fee is 2000 NOK. An independent jury of three people will review the protest. If the protest is accepted, the fee will be returned. If the protest is rejected, the money will go towards the Saturday kayakers BBQ.

Organiser’s Rights

The organiser has the right to refuse participation or disqualify any competitor who:
- appears to have insufficient experience to safely paddle the race course (qualification or finals)
- is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
- has an injury or illness that makes it unsafe to paddle the course
- does not comply with equipment or category rules

Administrative Requirements

Athletes must have completed all the following steps to participate:
- Valid Extreme Pass or Volunteer pass.
- Completed Athlete Registration. Not done that already? Do it here!
- Registered for this event (registration link at the top of the page).