[Paddlewise] Gettin' the Odd Water Feeling

Hey all,

I have an odd "phenomenon" I'm curious about. Last week I was on one 
of my lunch-time paddles in the Mississippi. On this particular 
paddle, I headed to to an area that can get a little rough. The river 
is at its narrowest, both sides are bounded by walls and barges line 
it on both sides. To compound things, it is right beneath a line of 
bluffs to wind is funneled down onto the river. The wind was gusting 
and the barges were running the day I was paddling, I was headed 
downstream and ended up pretty wet from smashing through the waves 
(.5'-2').

Once I turned around things got a little strange. The wind was 
blowing pretty briskly, heading back up stream I was being blown, 
had following seas and was going upstream. What was strange was the 
way the water felt. It was like I was paddling in foam or surf spray. 
I felt almost no resistance from the water. I think it had to do with 
both the waves and the fact that with the wind I was really flying 
(it felt like it was at least 9mph), but it did not feel good. I felt 
extremely unstable. It didn't help that I kept surfing down these 
little standing waves and broaching. I normally don't mind this, but 
I think that due to the "odd water feeling" (and possibly that I 
would often broach towards a parked barge) I felt very uncomfortable. 
Those of you who paddle in current and tidal races have probably 
dealt with this.

Anyone experienced this? What is the best line of defense here? I had 
my rudder up. Would a rudder/skeg help in a situation like this? I 
plan on heading back to that stretch next time the wind is blowing 
hard to try and figure some things out, but any tips would be nice.

-Patrick
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