Kayak Classifications Chart: Length to Width Ratio

If you have ever entered into a canoe, kayak, or other flatwater race you have most likely had to list your vessel per its waterline length to width ratio (often seen as L:W). Most flatwater racing organizations follow this universally recognized classification for kayaks:

Single Kayaks

Sea Kayak– L:W ratio less than 9.25:1

Fast Sea Kayak– L:W ratio between 9.25:1 and 10.99:1

High Performance Kayak– L:W ratio is greater than 10.99:1

The Surge is 17′ 8″ from bow to stern (LOA) but has only 15′ of waterline length (LWL)

 Double Kayaks

Sea Kayak (SK2)– L:W ratio less than 10:1

Fast Sea Kayak (FSK2)– L:W ratio between 10:1 and 13:1

High Performance Kayak (HPK2)– L:W ratio greater than 13:1

Sprint/Olympic

Flatwater race kayaks such as surf skis are classified by the number of paddlers: K1, K3, K3, K4

Belarus men’s K4 team won gold in 1000m in 2:55.714 at the 2008 Beijing Olympics (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Kayak Classifications Chart

The following chart is publicly available courtesy of the Sound Rowers Open Water and Paddlers Club, “a non-profit organization whose sole function is to sponsor human-powered boat racing for weekend and world class athletes.” This chart is the most comprehensive L:W ratio classification for kayaks by make and model available on the internet. Please feel free to reference this chart as tremendous research was invested into its creation.

Sound Rowers used the following methodology and measurement for the kayak classification chart: Sound Rower’s Kayak Classifications: Tom Cartmill’s System

-Alex