When it's a 50
When it's NOT a 50
"Prenegotiation"
Negotiation of a gate starts when the paddler's head enters the gate line or any part of the body, boat or equipment touches it. Once a paddler "starts negotiation" of any gate, all previous gates are "dead", and if any previous gate has not yet been negotiated a 50-second penalty applies - even if the paddler afterwards negotiates it.
But...
No Buts. This one cannot be undone.
In this second diagram the paddler crosses a wide Gate 2 gate line and turns back across the line to negotiate Gate 1.
Either way, Gate 1 is "dead" before the paddler negotiates it, so a 50 is incurred.
Cannot be undone.
But there is no penalty on Gate 2 because negotiation started and finished in the correct direction.
Even if the boat is upside-down when it passes through a gate, it counts as a negotiation. Here the boat passes though Gate 3 upside-down (represented by the black boat) then rolls up. Gate 2 is "dead" before the paddler negotiates it.
The later correct negotiation of Gate 3 "clears" that penalty, but the 50 on Gate 2 stands.
Cannot be undone.
The later correct negotiation of Gate 3 "clears" the "capsized in gate" penalty, but the 50 on Gate 2 stands.