Association of International Paddle Sport Federations

The Association of International Paddle Sport Federations, first conceived in 1999 and eventually established in 2009, exists to encourage and facilitate co-operation and communication of issues of mutual interest among international organizations which govern competitive sports involving watercraft propelled using a paddle, of either a single blade or double blade design.

Examples of competitive paddle sports include

• • dragonboat racing: flatwater
  • swanboat racing: flatwater
  • va'a or outrigger canoe racing: flatwater & turbulent water
  • canoe racing: flatwater and turbulent water
  • kayak racing: flatwater and turbulent water
  • inflated raft racing: turbulent water
  • surf ski racing: flatwater and surf zone
  • wave ski racing: turbulent water
  • ethnic traditional watercraft racing: flatwater

Racing and competitive events can be held over short distances (sprint racing), longer distances and marathon distances, with some races involving multiple stages that occur over two or more days.

The number of paddlers competing per boat varies, ranging from 1 to more than 50, depending on the length, design and associated cultural traditions of the boat races. The craft can be of a single or double hull design.

Racing formats are diverse: with or without racing lanes; straight line or circuit; mass or staggered starts; a watercraft competition element or leg within a series of non-watercraft competitions elements as part of a multi-leg or stage race; racing to a point, exiting the boat into the water then re-entering the boat and resuming the race; racing where some of the members of the crew are relieved by alternate paddlers while the boat is being raced with no stopping for the exchange of competitors.

Paddlesport does not include the sport of rowing, because an oar used to row with - while similar to a paddle in that it also consists of a propulsive blade attached to the end of a long shaft controlled by human muscular force - is not considered to be a paddle. The entire weight of the paddle is supported by the hands of the operator or paddler, whereas an oar is mounted to and supported by the outer edge of the rowing craft for example by way of outrigged struts, and is controlled by a rower or oarsman, not a paddler. The bracket in which the oar shaft rests is referred to as an oarlock and CREATES a fulcrum point AbOUT which the oar shaft can pivot, resulting in leverage. A paddle is not ordinarily levered off of a point on the edge of a paddled watercraft for forward or backward propulsion.

Political Structure of Competitive Paddlesport: domestic and international

History of Competitive Paddlesport: ancient to modern day