Thanks to Peter Wells and the RCC I've been able to compile an extract from the Royal Canoe Club rule book of 1910, which is of course the rule set many of the National trophies would have been raced to once upon a time. Some may find it interesting to compare the then racing rules to those we use now.
I note they include rules for paddling races. Maybe if there's a flat calm day at the worlds there should be a paddling race organised? It could be quite amusing with some of the tippier boats.
http://www.intcanoe.org/sharedimages/do ... tracts.pdf