Communication signals for paddlers

These signals can be used in a variety of paddling situations, like on flatwater when there is a great distance involved or on whitewater and the sea where noise of the water makes the communication options limited. The table below contains the most important and most frequently used signals.

You can see the IRF’s complete and current standard signal system here.

Under the current system, the IRF uses a different sign for “Everything is OK.” and “Last Ship. / Out.”. The table below does not include all IRF signals and contains signals from different systems as well.

River signals Vidra EN

IRF says – “Thanks to Vidra for this great table and to his son, Barni, for being a great model!”