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< March/April 2000
	Hotline
NOWR Adopts New Classification System

Beginning freestyle paddlers no longer have to fear competing against the big guns as the National Organization of Whitewater Rodeos (NOWR) recently announced a new standardized competitor classification system. "We did it to encourage amateur participation by providing a defined means of moving through the ranks," says NOWR's Jayne Abbot. "We also wanted to create a new level of credibility for Pro competitors by providing Pro-level qualification standards."

Competitors in K-1, C-1 and OC-1 will now classify themselves based on age (18 and under,19-39 and over 40) and skill level (pro, expert, sport, beginner). All NOWR events will offer some mixture of these classes. Once a skill level has been chosen, a competitor must meet certain qualifications of that category to move to the next level. In 2000, competitors at the Beginner, Sport and Expert levels won't be required to register with NOWR to participate at NOWR events. Only registered NOWR Pro athletes will be eligible to compete in the Pro class at NOWR events and the OutdoorPlay.com Freestyle Championship Series.

- For more information, visit www.nowr.org

- edb