The men's competition consisted of nine Canadian (single paddle, open boat) and nine kayak events. Six events were held for the women, all in kayak. The 10000 m events for men (Two canoe and three kayak) and 5000 m events for women (two in kayak) were dropped from the program (Three events at 5000 m (men's C-1, and men's and women's K-1) resumed at the 2010 championships.) and the 200 m events for C-1, C-2, and C-4 (men only), and K-1, K-2, and K-4 (both men and women) took their place. This represented the greatest change in the championships program since their reconstitution in 1950 following both World War II and the 1948 Summer Olympics.