Andrew it's all part of racing , very easy in still water , very hard in open ocean , swimming , running , cycling or paddling .It's all part of the sport , plan your race and plan your move , if you are in front , you are in front. If you are behind plan your move to take the lead. When in front make it as hard as you can for the guy behind you.

There's no Queensberry rules in water racing , you do everything you can to give yourself the advantage to win the race.....

Yep its an interesting topic , remember when Duncan Armstrong beat Matt Biondi (i think) and they accused him of moving over into the lane and drafting. Forget what Olympics it was but it was when Laurie lawrence went nuts All i know is , it does save a lot of energy. Just adds to the race tactics though , i wouldnt like to see no drafing rules.

It helps to draft behind someone when you're up the back of the creek at 5:30 in the morning and there are logs in the water hey CMC

Interesting thread. This is a bit of a hot topic at the time trials. Split decision about it as well. I have done both... Drafted of others.... and hated it when someone drafts off me. Go figure... I just want the best of both as long as it suits me

if it was up to me i would say no drafting

Coming from a cycling background I understand why racers draft but the general rule is that you take turns at the front. In cycling the guys get pretty pissed off if you free load the whole time. At the SUPA Nationals I had someone draft me for nearly 2 laps so I just stopped paddling, they were forced to head around me and I went off in the other direction to sprint away. I just had to reply after reading the previous post and recognising the face
The guy on Sup Racer made some good points.

Swanie, after our last time trial where everyone started at the same time allowing for drafting we have decided our next race will be a proper time trial with a staggered start, just like this weekends creek to creek race. It will determine who is the better paddler more so than tactician.

I reckon the Olympic rowing facilities like the one Jim Terrell just raced at this weekend will solve the drafting - each paddler has a lane and it's each to their own.

All other races must allow drafting as it's just impossible to police - and if it was that easy to draft then we'd have a train at all our time-trials. We don't, because the top guys are flat out virtually at max hullspeed so if you make one mistake and lose the hump you are doomed, you just will not get back on. Climbing the hump to get back on when the guys are already at max speed kills you.

For some reason I can't view Jims video, it just doesn't load so I have no idea what he said. Unfortunately we have no Olympic canoe paddling facilities here , they would be great for comparing speeds across the world. Jim was averaging 12km/h over 2000 meters and 13.5km/h over 200 meters - not sure what equipment he was on or whether there was a tailwind - but those are phenomenal speeds for flatwater! Have a max 5knot tailwind rule or something to that effect and we should be able to compare speeds across the world. Trying to find a piece of suitable water here so we can get cracking - Jim just set the bar! For all other racing, draft your heart out when conditions permit.....

Hi Guys,

Drafting or wash riding is just part of racing, it brings tactics into the game which makes it much more fun and interesting, it also evens out the field as a smart paddler then has a chance over the naturally biggest and strongest paddlers.

I think it will create teams as in cycling which will work as a group until the last 1km or so where it will then be every person for themselves.

There are skills required to draft well, and other skills required to shake a drafter and still more skills to know when to break and how to break so you surprise your leading paddler. It makes the game much more interesting and skillful rather than just the fastest paddler always wins.

I also cycle and love sharing the drafting in groups. It makes such a difference in cycling, especially in a headwind. It may not be such an advantage in paddling if there is a strong tail wind???

Good discussion and I'm definitely all for drafting.

DM

Rubbings racing. Makes things more interesting for sure

I've tried to draft behind Sam on his Ace. Maybe i can't find the sweet spot but it doesn't seem to help much. The BOP boards are easy to sit behind though....

paul.j said...

It's easy draft your own class and own gender!!! if the girls want to race in the same divison as the guys then let them draft with the guys but if they compete in a girls divison then sorry NO drafting of the guys!!! i would call that CHEATING!!

Drafting is a good part of the racing but just have to keep it fair.

Jacko

So are you saying im cheating here? What about the 2 guys behind me? Should they be told to get off my wash?


X angie

I have no objection to gender drafting as long as it goes both ways (no innuendo intended). If I could keep up with Annabel or Angie or Ali (yes it's a hypothetical), then I should be able to draft them.

Thay have been doing it in motor sport for years. I think banning it in a race is a joke. If ya dont like it dont race, or start doing it yourself. Nobody told you not to do it. Sheesh

Chick drafting is fine - both ways. They'll have to find a guy thats going the right pace (like a chick) for them to make it work anyway. And what are you guys doing on 12'6's anyway?