Wildwater is one of the most physically demanding of the ICF’s Canoe Disciplines. In the Classic Wildwater races, athletes race down a course of four to five miles of class three to four whitewater, yet it also requires strategic insight to balance raw power and speed with considered execution and perfect timing. In other words, athletes need to be strong and fast yet calm and calculating. An athlete’s success depends on their ability to pass over waves, holes and rocks of a natural riverbed while remaining "zen-like". International Canoe Federation, Lausanne, Switzerland