Canoe Slalom C1

In canoe slalom, C1 refers to a one-person decked canoe event. The paddler kneels inside the vessel and uses a single-bladed paddle to maneuver through the whitewater course.

While both are single-person whitewater events, the equipment and paddling technique differ significantly. In K1 (kayak), the paddler sits down and uses a double-bladed paddle, whereas the C1 athlete kneels and uses a single blade.

The objective is to navigate a decked canoe through a series of hanging upstream and downstream gates on a whitewater rapid course. The athlete must pass through the gates in the correct sequence and direction, against the clock.

The final score is based on the fastest time down the course, but time penalties are added for errors. Touching a gate results in a time penalty, while missing a gate entirely results in a much larger penalty.