The event uses a three-round format with qualification heats, semifinal and final.

Paddlers complete up to two runs in the heats, with the top ranked athletes starting last.

The final rank of non-qualifying athletes is determined by their second run score.

Paddlers start in the reverse order of their heats position in the semifinal and complete a single run, with the top 10 advancing to the final.

An easier gate setup is generally used for the heats and then a more difficult one for semifinal and final.