novice wrote:
Also, do you use the rudder during a race. If so, how do you get a firm
foot hold when you rotate?


In answer to your second question, I refuse to try and move a fast kayak
without a rudder. I'm not a purist, I don't steer by shifting the
paddle, hipping the boat or paddling stronger on one side. Boats are
fastest when paddled with fairly even strokes on both sides, and a good
rudder doesn't slow you down nearly as much as clumsy steering strokes.
*Especially* in a long skinny boat made for a rudder. In addition, if
you are drafting, you'll get dropped like a bad date if you can't keep
the boat on the wave and in the right position with respect to others.
There are several things to do - if the rudder pedals are the sliding
kind (and it's not your boat) you can still use your legs for power by
not completely unloading pressure on the off-leg. Not as efficient, but
not bad. If you've got either toe-flaps or the newer twist style
pedals, it's not a problem to really pump your legs. I'm a fan of
toe-flaps, and am currently tinkering with that boat to add a footboard
across instead of just pegs. The ICF boat I'm getting next week is a
tiller style, and the Stratus has rotating pegs. All of them allow you
to power up with your legs.

Marsh Jones
Minnesota