[Paddlewise] Is a rudderless kayak like a horse - can it find the way?

G'Day,

Theres a charity event called the Hawkesbury Classic over here, which is a
16 hour, 100km overnight paddle down the Hawkesbury River. Its got a
reputation for being tough, which I forgot, after a beer or two, before
volunteering to be partner in a double! On regaining my senses I realised
the need for practice and have been working out on the local, very flat,
tidal rivers.

Despite the fact that these rivers are tidal sometimes the water seems to
flow against the tide, presumably due to eddies. I've been trying to work
out how to predict which part of a river is flowing in a direction to
assist. Does anyone have any rules of thumb? I don't use a rudder and
sometimes stop edging the boat and let it follow its head. Occasionally it
has wound up in the current flowing in a favourable direction. Is this an
accident or is it possible to set the boat up so that it can find such
currents? On the Hawkesbury Classic paddle I will be very glad of any such
knowledge!

If there are no such logical tricks does any one know the appropriate magic
spell? :~)

All the best, PeterO

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