Re: [Paddlewise] Race Training.

On Thu, 17 Feb 2000, Larry Bliven wrote:

> we don't really want to use that technique do we? certainly not.
> so my point is, if you'r going to draft.... learn to do it before race
> day...

The local rowing club, which sponsors most of the local sea kayak and 
surf ski races does not allow drafting.  

Local canoe races allow drafting.  In one memorable race a singles paddler
jumped on the side wake of a war canoe and rode their side wake for 80% of
the race.  Easily outdistancing everyone else, who missed getting on
the war canoe wake.  When the war canoe paddler tired he pulled away from
them and easily won the race.

When possible I wake ride, with some practice it's usually worthwhile.  It's
not always worthwhile, sometimes it's more effort to stay on the wake 
then to paddle in "clean" water.

I've also had good luck teaching tired paddlers to ride my wake, or hide in
my wind shadow to get a bit of a free ride.  If you get tired every little
trick can help.


It doesn't apply to a lake race, which the original poster was planning 
to do, but for ocean and river races I've been surprised at how little 
most local racers pay attention to currents.  A couple of years ago a 20 
mile race started with a 4 mile paddle against the tide.  My racing nemesis 
and I were paddling up the eddies behind boats, bridges and floats to avoid 
the current.  I looked around and noticed that the vast  majority of 
racers were dead center in the river fighting the strongest current.

kirk
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