The new Youth Series venues have been set up to help challenge and develop the younger paddlers. Although these venues are the same as some of the established Division A races, the Youth Series course will normally be run on a less demanding part of the same rivers. The aim is to run these races on the same weekends and venues as Division A events, which allows younger paddlers to see more experienced paddlers in action, gain greater experience, and hopefully allow coaching workshops to take place alongside these races.
The Series has been set up to get progressively more difficult as the season unfolds allowing the paddler to improve their ability. The whole idea is to promote continuing development, ultimately leading to promotion to Division A.

The long-term aim is to develop the Youth Series as a step up from the Wavehopper Challenge Series and as such, there will be no handicap allowance for using Wavehopper or GP boats, although such boats can be used if you wish. The hope is that the Wavehopper Series will develop as an introductory regional event with junior paddlers looking to move up to the Youth Series as soon as they and their coaches feel happy to do so. No promotion will be required.'his is a series of races throughout the season for U16 and younger. The races are normally held at Division B races and the next step up from the Perception Wavehopper Challenge. The youth series feeds into the National Youth Championship which is for U18s competing in Division A.

The rules are as follows:-

1. The dates and venues for the Youth Series events will be published in the Calendar. Prizes and points are awarded for all the classes.

2. There are four age categories, Under 16, Under 14, Under 12 and Under 10, for all of K1 Men, K1 Women, C1 and C2. Competitors must be below the relevant age at the beginning of the calendar year of the relevant race season.

3. The date of birth must be included on the entry card.

4. The Youth Series ranking lists will be compiled using the best four results of the season, plus the final, with the winner of each class at the end of the season being declared the Youth Champion in that class. In the event of a tie, the result of the Final will be used. For the Under 16 Boys, Under 16 Girls, Under 14 Boys, Under 14 Girls, Under 12 Boys, Under 12 Girls, Under 10 Boys and Under 10 Girls, points will be allocated separately. In each kayak class, the first place will score 25 points, 2nd 24 points, etc. In each Canadian class, the first place will score 10 points, 2nd 9 points, etc.

5. In all of the kayak classes, competitors may use WWR kayaks, Wavehopper or any other kayak not longer than 4.0m and without a rudder. However, there will not be an handicap allowance.

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