The sport can not grow when older paddlers keep winnning over the latest and greatest young paddlers. The Over 45 years old rule protects our future paddlers from looking bad on contest conditions that favor an older paddler.

If you are between 40 and 45 years old, don't worry.  You'll make a great wall flower.  Do your part and organize, judge and volunteer for contest and promote the sport...  Byron, Scott, Corran and Preston do... And don't worry you'll grow out of it and be able to compete again soon...