Introduction to Wake Riding & Drafting
Copyright by Jude Turczynski 1998
Any reproduction or republication without my written consent is strictly prohibited. I'm real easy, just ask me first.

In this series of diagrams, it's my attempt to provide information on wake riding and drafting that the reader can easily understand and put to immediate use in almost any craft, and especially in OC-1 though OC-6s. I do believe that using this knowledge can result in boat lengths of advantage, and that every crew & solo finds their self in a position inescapably close to another canoe on more than one occasion during a race, usually at the start & finish and near the turning points as well as when rounding coastal outcroppings/obstacles.

The following paragraph is of great importance to remember while learning to wake ride:

It's important not to plan your entire race around the use of these tactics. These tactics should be used only when you must stay close to another canoe due to conditions and situations in the race course. It can be more productive to depend on yourself or your crew's ability to pull your way past another canoe without entering their wake field. Some paddlers may loose concentration when trailing behind another canoe and so the speed may drop. Some paddlers get discouraged and some just won't like what you're doing and won't contribute when you take them real close to another canoe.

Another important factor is the ability of yourself and your opponent. You have to be able to maneuver your canoe without over-steering or missing too many strokes. The steersperson in the other canoe should be able to keep the canoe from zigzagging so much that you won't be able to control your position in his wake field. And if you get in real close, you don't want to be playing bumper boats or getting caught up in each others rigging. Remember that these waves, drafts and backwash exist even in rough water though their effect may diminish when the surrounding swell and wind waves are much larger.

In order to better communicate positioning and location, I've developed terminology for certain waves and currents found around a moving canoe. Click on the figure below to view a diagram of these currents & waves and their names.

The above text & diagram was the introduction to a nine part series that is listed below with corresponding thumbnail figures to the right. Click on the thumbnail picture to enlarge the diagram. Please scroll through the chapters & diagrams and use what you can. If you have any comments or questions, please contact me and let me know.