I was following behind this guy about 10 ft for entire race. It took
quite a bit of effort to steer to stay behind him. I tried hard to get
closer but for some reason I couldnt. I guess I could have got behind
someone going slower.

I was in a short adventure race this weekend . There was 4kms of sea
kayaking. I ended up in a soltice gts. The rudder was stuck down so I
had to use rudder. The cockpit was small and i could not move my legs.
My feet were on the pedals but just kind of resting on the pedals. When
I paddle with my small kayak with fixed rudders , I really shove my
feet hard down on pedals.