The preliminary heats were held on 20 October 1964; 13 kayakers entered and were split into two heats of 7 and 6. The top three placers in each heat advanced to the semifinal, while the remaining 7 competitors were relegated to the semifinal held the next day. All 7 competed in the same semifinal, with the top 3 placers joining the 6 winners of the heats in the final. The final was held on 22 October.
The 13 competitors first raced in two heats on 20 October. The top three finishers from each of the heats advanced directly to the final; the rest competed in the semifinal the next day.