[Paddlewise] Anti-Rudder Religion (and other myths)

First, regarding the claim that anti-rudder types are "religious", I
have not noticed this to be the case. I have never heard anyone argue
that the use of a rudder is against the Will of God, or will damn one to
hell, or violates any moral principle. While some might seem a bit
overzealous in their opposition to rudders, it seems to be that there
are plenty of zealots of the pro-rudder variety as well. The first sea
kayak I purchased had a rudder, in part because all of the sea kayakers
whom I knew at the time were rudder-users, and they told me that I would
be "crazy" not to use a rudder. 

While I had some doubts about the claims of these pro-rudder zealots
(given my experience paddling other types of boats), my companions were
so fervent in their pro-rudder beliefs that they swayed me to purchase a
ruddered boat. I quit using the rudder after a few months when I
realized that it was not necessary and interfered with my paddling
enjoyment. These folks still think that I am crazy. I simply view them
as having different preferences. What I view as fun (using paddle
strokes and body english to control the boat), they view as a bother. 

Finally, I do not know anyone who believes that "one size fits all". I
would hazard to guess that most of us who paddle "rudder-free" believe
that rudders are very useful on tandems and surf skis (and other boats
of extreme dimensions). There may also be certain uses where some of us
might switch to the use of a rudder (such as circumnavigating a
continent, where one paddles 12-16 hours per day, day after day).
 
Obviously, whatever choice people wish to make regarding the use of
rudders is A-OK, but in order to make a choice one has to have options.
I suspect that there are many paddlers who do not take seriously the
alternatives to rudders, or who do not develop the skills that are
prerequisite to exploring those alternatives.         

Happy paddling,

Dan Hagen
Bellingham, Washington
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