Snow kayak

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Snow kayaking is the port of kayaking into winter. There is no driving on streams or rivers, but on ski slopes , separated from skiers. Bobsleigh- like tracks with banked curves, jumps and obstacles - such as a moat - are preferably built. At the top, a layer of softer snow makes steering easier. A boundary with steep walls protects especially inexperienced people from leaving such a course and getting into unsafe areas, for example with trees.

As a hobby, this sport has been practiced by canoeists for many years in order to train balance and coordination skills even in winter. Since around 2000 this sport has increasingly developed into a fun sport that was also practiced by non-canoeists.

In 2002 the first snow kayak race was held in Lienz (Austria). In 2007 a so-called "World Championship" took place in the categories "Men", "Women" and "Youth". The first winner of this event was Peter Draxl (Austria). In addition to this, there is also an indoor world championship in Holland . It is used in a ski hall on artificial snow and under floodlights .

Places where snow kayak competitions have been held in Austria:

  • Tristach near Lienz, each at the Kreithof (2004 (30 participants); 2005 (60); February 4, 2006 (over 100): 3rd East Tyrolean Snowkayakrace, boat length max. 270 cm, helmet compulsory)
  • Lienz (February 3, 2007: 1st World Championship (4th snow kayak race); February 2nd, 2008, (for the first time :) Moosalm (on the Hochstein, on part of the Red Bull Dolomitenmann MTB downhill route): 2nd World Championship; March 13th 2010, Moosalm: WM)
  • Obertauern , State of Salzburg (March 28, 2009, Edelweissalm: Red Bull Snowkayak Race)

In competition, such races are often used as "boatercross". Similar to other sports (such as snowboard cross ), four athletes compete against each other on a route at the same time, the two faster athletes advance to the next round.

Paddle boats originally had round bottoms, for snow kayaking boats with a flat bottom and side edges that could be used for steering were developed as early as 2012. The paddle can be used to push, support and steer. Ski goggles protect you from spraying snow, a helmet your head and a life jacket your upper body. A seat cushion buffers the impact on the tailbone.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ With the kayak on the snow-covered slopes , Funsporting.de 2006
  2. ^ First snow kayak world championship , Funsporting.de 2007
  3. ↑ http://www.funsporting.de/funsporting+NEWS+Extreme+Snowkajak_Weltmeisterschaft_0870.htm Second Snowkajak World Championship
  4. ↑ http://www.funsporting.de/funsporting+NEWS+Trends+Snowkajak_Weltmeisterschaft_2010_Lienz_Oesterreich_3025.htm Snowkajak World Championship 2010: Rene Feuerstein defends World Championship title - results
  5. ↑ Snowkajak 2009: This is how you get down the slope , Funsporting.de February 2nd, 2009