Hydrotherapy and Rodeo Scoring

The question came up last week after the event: How does scoring at Hydrotherapy work? I’ll give you a few answers then direct you to the real deal document that governs all Sanctioned International Kayaking events.

Hydrotherapy is grassroots, community oriented, no pressure event; and as such scoring and points are only part of the equation. One of the learning objectives for the sessions is how to compete in a rodeo: getting used to the whistle, and throwing moves how and when you want to. With this in mind our events are much much more informal than the document you see linked below; please take this into consideration when you read the rules.

At Hydrotherapy Sessions we use these point values, move definitions and point modifiers (clean = +3 points). Beyond this the duration of a ride, number of rides, number of competitors in a heat, setup of prelims, quarter finals and finals are all site and event specific. We do keep things honest by writing out the rules for later reference, consistent and high caliber judges (Thank you Jud!), and good record keeping. So when you read through these rules remember that we don’t get overly analytical about things. Competitors must learn to be ready and adjust to the features and how we setup the event!

Here are the official ICF Rules:
http://www.canoeicf.com/site/canoeint/if/downloads/About%20ICF/Rules/2007%20final%20version/FRE%202007%20Amended%2026Apr07.pdf


After week one there are a few key concepts that I should point out as they were repeated time and time again by most of the competitors in the field. These apply to Dead Dog and the rest of the features we will play in this year.

• No matter how cool we only score each move once! Only one cartwheel to the left per ride.
  Do a move clean and add three points to your score! That 1 point spin done clean just became a 4 point trick outdoing your next cartwheel.
  
• Flushing is a reality but if you do it right it can still count. If you huck a move worth 15 or more points, land it per the guidelines, and still flush you simply loose 6 points. Airloop, landed, flush = 16 points – 6 for flushing = 10 point gravy trick.
  
• Vertical is part of the game. Even in a shallow hole the judges are looking for vertical ends so if you chopped hard with your split wheel and got around but didn’t get the ends up it is nothing more than a pause between spins.
  
• Going Big is the secret to the win! Dave T. will tell you, as will Steve B and Dustin that the only way they got to the top of the pile last week was by trying to throw bigger tricks than they normally do. Trying new things is one of the equations for success in this comp so get out and do it!