CLASSIFICATION OF CANOE AREAS - 2000

Canoeing and other paddle sports are practiced in calm, flowing water, in white water, in the ocean and large lakes.
In these three types of areas, zones can be specially made secure for pedagogical or teaching uses, training or for organized events.

-1- MULTIPURPOSE AREAS:
Nautical areas are given to changes which can cause practical difficulties in function with the level of competence of the person practicing. The difficulties of these areas are mainly caused - as follows:

-11- IN OCEANS AND LARGE LAKES:
<< by evolving currents and climatic conditions, principally the wind, forming waves, which cause the boat to drift. The variation in tides changes the landscape and the markers or indicators.

-12- IN CALM AND FLOWING WATER:
<< narrow rivers, by obstacles such as trees, low bridges and dams.
<< wide rivers, by wind and by river and canal crafts.

-13- IN WHITE WATER:
by the dynamic and complex combination of the water speed and flow which can change very quickly, the slope, by the water's movement on obstacles and the sometimes difficult access for help. A stronger commitment is required to face the accumulation of difficulties. The elements used to read the course, in increasing difficulty, are:

<< 131 List of White Water Classifications:

Cl.1:easy white water,regular current,even waves,small eddies,simple obstacles.

Cl.2: medium difficulty, the way is free, irregular flow, irregular waves, medium sized eddies; simple obstacles in the current, small rapids.

Cl.3: difficult,visible passage,high irregular waves, big eddies and boils, whirlpools and rapids, boulders, small drops and various obstacles in the current.

Cl.4: very difficult, passage ahead not visible, inspection from the shore is advised, continuous big waves, fast and powerful keepers, boulders blocking the current, high drops with refractory waves.

Cl. 5: extremely difficult, inspection from shore unavoidable, extreme waves, boils and whirlpools, narrow passages, high waterfalls with difficult entries and exits.

Cl. 6: at the limit of being navigable, generally impossible, eventually possible according to the water level. Great risks. The analysis of the possibilities of rescue is essential.

IMPASSABLE: distinguished from class 6, obstacle absolutely blocking the passage even by an expert. Examples: Perte du Pas du Souci, Tarn / France, Grotte de l'Imbut du Verdon / France, or Niagara Falls / USA - Canada, and the Zambèze / Zimbabwe.

Types of White Water Courses: VOLUME (VOL) - ROCKS (ROC) - MIXED (MIX) 1/2