CLASSIFICATION OF CANOE AREAS - 1999

Remarks:
-1- This system is based on an average flow of river. There are two reference systems:
according to a set scale, for example in Germany or in Austria, - or according to a referred course on a known river, using the system volume (VOL) or rocks (ROC) like in Switzerland. The flow can change very quickly on certain courses, particularly downstream from a dam, and in narrow gorges. Information must be verified on site at the time of practicing. In general an increase in flow, or flooding increase the difficulty; if the competence of those practicing does not correspond with the increased difficulties, they are strongly recommended to leave the course.

-2- Weirs (dams) are not white water, therefore are not classified. Dams equipped with energy dissipating devices, such as baffle piers, and/or stilling basins can be extremely dangerous.

<< 132 Information Conventions on courses:

Writing Convention: River name (Rhine) + course (upper Ilanz to Reichenau) + type (Vol) + distance (21 Km) + class of difficulty (cl III(4)) - other specific remarks (syphon,difficulty of safety access, scale, place of information, if they exist)

Color Convention: colors are associated with the classes of difficulty. Blue:
used for water in general and for calm or flowing water on all maps.

Cl. 1: green
Cl. 2: yellow
Cl. 3: orange
Cl. 4: red
Cl. 5: purple
Cl. 6: black

For fewer numbers of colors, the progression principle of green/yellow = easy / medium and red / purple / black = difficult / very difficult, should be respected for ex. maps of rivers in Switzerland or in France.

-2- RECOMMANDATIONS of the ICF
All information about the course must be controlled on site, at the time of use, because the areas used can undergo natural modifications-such as after a storm and a sudden flood-- or man-made artificial ones such as work in or around the area. Portage is often the solution for passage around difficult obstacles and dams, when there is no specific passage equipment, such as a boat slide.

Taking the weather report into account is recommended before all outdoor activities. (risks of storms and of sudden rise in the water, or the falling of rocks into gorges, etc.)
The water and air temperatures determine the appropriate clothing. The equipment (boat, paddle, life jacket, rope, knife...) should be adapted to the area concerned, and should allow the paddler to exit the boat easily. Training in security techniques is recommended. Adequate equipment cannot compensate for incompetence.

A state of health, training, information and organization in teams, adapted to the activity are preliminary conditions for security. It is recommended not to navigate alone, and to notify someone on shore of the course and its possible variations.
The biological quality of the water sometimes must be checked , also the dangerous wildlife (crocodiles,etc.)

The decision of navigation is individual ,safety is priority before the logistic of the group.

Landscape, nature and the other users of the areas must be respected.

The ICF member federations can furnish more detailed information on the national rules and pedagogical paddeltraining used . The ICF recommends this advice to all individual members and to publishers of information on courses, in order to facilitate the practice of INTERNATIONAL CANOE TOURING.

2/2-2000