Paracanoe at the Summer Paralympics

Paracanoe debuted at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. A meeting of the International Paralympic Committee in Guangzhou, China in 2010 decided to add paracanoe to the roster of the Summer Paralympic Games.

Paracanoe is a variant of canoeing for athletes with a variety of physical disabilities. The sport is governed by the International Canoe Federation (ICF).

Events
Competition at the Summer Paralympic Games consists of sprint races over a 200m straight line course. Eight different events are held.

Equipment
The first paracanoe programme at the Paralympics in 2016 featured competitors using single kayaks (K1). For the 2020 paracanoe competitions, a second type of boat, the va'a, was added. This is an outrigger canoe propelled by a single bladed paddle.

Competitor classification
There are three different classes for competitors with different physical mobility impairments:
 * KL1 - only arms are used for paddling
 * KL2 / VL2 - trunk and arms are used for paddling
 * KL3 / VL3 - legs, trunk and arms are used for paddling

Medal table
Updated to 2020 Summer Paralympics

Men

 * KL1

The KL1 Class is for paracanoe paddlers who have very limited or no trunk function and no leg function.


 * KL2

The KL 2 class is for paracanoe paddlers with partial leg and trunk function alongside good arm strength. A KL2 class paddler should be able to sit upright within the kayak but may require a backrest.


 * KL3

The KL3 class is for paracanoe paddlers with trunk function and partial leg function.


 * VL2

The VL2 classification mirrors the KL2 classification but in reference to the Va'a outrigger canoe type.


 * VL3

The VL3 classification mirrors the KL3 classification but in reference to the Va'a outrigger canoe type. Some KL2 paddlers will qualify in this classification as a consequence of the extra stability of the outrigger boat.

Women

 * KL1

The KL1 Class is for paracanoe paddlers who have very limited or no trunk function and no leg function.


 * KL2

The KL 2 class is for paracanoe paddlers with partial leg and trunk function alongside good arm strength. A KL2 class paddler should be able to sit upright within the kayak but may require a backrest.


 * KL3

The KL3 class is for paracanoe paddlers with trunk function and partial leg function.


 * VL2

Multiple Medalists
The following canoeists have won 2 or more medals in para canoe at the Paralympic Games.

Correct as of 16 September 2021 :