Fact Sheet

Proposed Competition Dates Marathon Canoeing 5 to 6 October
Flatwater Canoeing 8 to 12 October

Please note: Regrettably due to low registration numbers and minimal expressions of interest, the Organising Committee for Canoeing has requested the discipline of Canoe Polo be withdrawn from the Melbourne 2002 World Masters Games Canoeing program

Venue(s) Flatwater Canoeing Nagambie Lakes Located 125km from city centre
Marathon Canoeing Yarra River, Melbourne
Located in the city centre

VENUE INFORMATION The Yarra River flows from the mountains to the north east of Melbourne and increases in size as it makes its way through the country areas closer to the city. The start location for the canoe marathon is close to the city centre where the river is approximately 60 metres in width. With outflow into Port Phillip Bay, the river has some tidal movement but conditions are generally flat and calm. Some small commercial craft and rowing boats may be encountered along the course.

Nagambie, located 125 km north of Melbourne in regional Victoria, is set on the picturesque shores of Lake Nagambie in the Goulburn Valley. The town has a population of around 1300 people and is encircled by fertile land devoted to cereals, sheep, cattle, vineyards and horse studs.

The lake was created in 1887 and is popular with canoeists and water skiers. More recently, facilities at the lake have been upgraded to create a world-class water sport competition venue. The Goulburn River feeds into Nagambie Lakes.

HOW TO GET THERE Yarra River Launching is off the rowing ramp in Boat House Parade (formerly Jeffries Parade), Melbourne on the opposite bank of the Yarra River from the Games Centre at Federation Square, approximately 500m upstream from Princes Street Bridge.

The course first goes upstream to various coloured buoys, which will determine the length of the course to be completed, and return to the Finish line just downstream form the start line.

Nagambie Lakes Nagambie Lakes are on the edge of the Victorian township of Nagambie. Nagambie can be accessed by car, along the Hume Highway and the Goulburn Valley Highway. Take the Hume Highway north from the city. The Hume can be reached by taking the Western Ring Road from the airport and then following the signs to the Hume Highway, or by driving along Elizabeth Street, Royal Parade and Sydney Road from the city. Sydney Road turns into the Hume Highway.

Visitors to Nagambie can travel by hire car or train. Personal vehicle is strongly recommended.

AGE CATEGORIES* Men / Women
Flatwater and Marathon Canoeing:
30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85+

COMPETITION DETAILS Flatwater Canoeing All events are 500 metres and 1000 metres.
The classes are as follows: K1, K2, K2 Mixed, C1, C2, TK1, TK2, TK2 Mixed, TC1, TC2 and TC2 Mixed.

Competitors are restricted to a maximum of two age groups, regardless of class being entered and from competing in more then Four Events per day.

There must be three entries to constitute a class. If there are insufficient entries in an age group, classes may be amalgamated to provide competitive classes.

Marathon Canoeing The classes are as follows:
Kayaks: K1, K2, K2 Mixed
Touring Kayaks: TK1, TK2, TK2 Mixed
Canoes: C1, C2, C2 Mixed
Touring Canoes: TC1, TC2 and TC2 Mixed
Surf Skis: SS1, SS2, SS2 Mixed
Surf/Sea Kayaks: SK1, SK2, SK2 Mixed

Dimensions can be found on the Canoeing page of the website or are available from the World Masters Games Office.

Age Groups
30-34, 35-39
Distance: 24km

40 -44, 45-49, 50-54
Distance: 19km

55-59, 60-64
Distance: 15km

65-69, 70-74
Distance: 12km

75-79, 80-84, 85+
Distance: 7km

Paddlers will not be required to portage at any point on the course.

There must be three entries to constitute a class. If there are insufficient entries in an age group, classes may be amalgamated to provide competitive classes.

The singles competition will be held on Day One of competition and the doubles competition will be held on Day Two. Mixed events will be offered in the doubles competition.

Competitors are limited to one single craft event on the first day of competition and one double craft event on the second day.

Competition Standards The Canoeing competitions at the Games will be conducted under the auspices, rules and regulations of the International Canoe Federation. They will conform to any special requirements of the International Masters Games Association (IMGA).

Canoeing Victoria will conduct the two Canoeing competitions.

Boat Rental Competitors coming from outside Australia will be able to hire Canoes/Kayaks during the Games, but are expected to bring their own Paddles. A Canoe/Kayak Boat Rental form is available on the web, or can be obtained through the World Masters Games Office.

Other Information Games competitors and registered accompanying persons based at Nagambie will be provided with free return transport to Melbourne to attend the Opening Ceremony.

*Please note: all information is proposed and subject to change.