Kayaks
Canoe polo kayaks are checked for good condition – Foot pegs present and secure. No missing or lose bolts. Cockpit trim is in place.
Foam cushioning must be fitted to bows and sterns sufficient to prevent injury to players and to reduce damage to equipment.
In connection with;
ICF Canoe Polo Competition Rules 2011
8. Kayak-Safety requirements
8.1. The kayak may have no sharp projections or edges or other dangerous features. For glass (composite) kayaks, all metal bolts, screws or other fixing devices should have low profile parts on the surface, be smooth to the touch and be recessed wherever possible. Concave sections are allowable throughout the kayak so long as they do not present themselves as a dangerous feature. All metal bolts, screws or other fixing devices present in plastic kayaks must be recessed. Carry handles of any type are not permitted.
8.2. The kayak must have soft, shock absorbing material firmly affixed to the front and rear impact ends, sufficient to prevent injury to players and to reduce damage to equipment. The padding must comply with the detailed specifications.
8.3. The kayak must have sufficient buoyancy to keep it afloat, so that some part breaks the surface of the water, even when it is completely full of water.
Paddle
Paddles checked; for no sharp, split edges in connection with;
ICF Canoe Polo Competition Rules 2011
104. PADDLE
1. The paddle must be double-bladed with no sharp projections, edges, holes or other dangerous features. The blades shape, thickness and radii must stay within these rules. The paddle will be scrutinised with a gauge.
2. The blades are to be no more than 600 mm x 250 mm in plan measured from where the shaft meets the blade. The edges must have a minimum radius of 30 mm in plan and a minimum thicknesses of 5 mm. Metal tipped blades are not allowed.
3. The exception to this is those blades where the metal edge is an integral part of the construction as opposed to a rim or trim added to the outside by any means. However if at any point the internal metal component is exposed
Helmets
Helmets checked for; outer-shell condition, suitable padding, chinstraps and fitted face guards in connection with;
ICF Canoe Polo Competition Rules 2011
106. HELMET
1. The helmet must be a safety one and suitable. They must protect against any blow, which may be reasonably anticipated in the course of a game covering from the jaw line to the rear point of the skull, such that no contact is possible between the skull and a blade on a horizontally held paddle.
107. FACE-PROTECTOR
1. The face protector must be of a strong material such as steel or any equal strong material. An object in the shape of a cube no smaller than 7x7x7 cm must not be able to enter through the grill of the face protector. The face protector must be securely fixed to the helmet, without sharp or dangerous fixings. They may not present any sharp or dangerous part. It must protect against any blow that may be reasonably anticipated in the course of a game. It must cover the entire face of the player beginning at the lower level of the chin and covering the surface between the two temples.
Spray Decks/Skirts
Spray skirts checked for general condition and pull tag securely fastened.
PFD’s
Checked for overall condition, buoyancy (at annual float test inspection of all club’s pfd’s), straps and buckles in connection with;
ICF Canoe Polo Competition Rules 2011
9. PDF – BODY PROTECTION
1. The body protection in the form of a Personal Floatation Device(PDF) that meets suitable accreditation standards for Canoeing. The padding must be at least 15 mm thick. The padding must protect against any impact from other players equipment, which may be reasonably anticipated in the course of a game. The padding must begin no more than 100 mm above the cockpit rim measured at the player’s side, with the player sitting normally in their kayak. The gap between the top of the protection at the side and the top of the armpit measured with the arm horizontal must be less than 100 mm.
Misc.
Balls & Goals checked for overall condition.
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