The Margin of Success

Like many of you now, when I was a newer paddler I was always looking for the explosive effort that buried the competition and allowed me to cross the line first and well out in front. I had very very few races that were anything like that.

Most large canoe races are won by small increments over long periods of time. If you imagine a 5 hour race and a crew winning by five minutes, that means a minute an hour which means 15 seconds every 15 minutes, 5 seconds every 5 minutes.

What does this look like on the water? Not much in 5 minutes; about a boat length. Not much in 15 minutes, 3 boat lengths. In an hour, 12 boat lengths which is not enough of a gap to be certain of success. A crew can make up 12 boat lengths in some favourable water or with a good combination in very little time, 20 minutes or less. But here is the problem. The crew that gained 12 boat lengths in an hour is probably stronger. And so when the following crew goes after them, the chasing canoe's crew expend more energy than they can maintain, they eat into their endurance reserves, and then even if they do catch the front crew, the chasing crew is more fatigued and less likely to be able to maintain the speed after.

I have said many times, you are not likely to be the strongest or biggest crew, but you can be the fastest crew. Fastest often means most efficient and most efficient means smartest. You have to race smart.

This coaching tip is about using the wind to your advantage. When I am on the water, I imagine I can see the wind flowing around obstructions, funneling through narrows and gaps, and pouring over ledges and islands. Why do I look for the wind? Because good use of the wind can save your crew's energy, can make your canoe go faster with less effort, and can win you a race or win you a better placing than sheer effort. Wind alone can move a canoe. Wind and wave will move a canoe faster.

You can help "see" the wind by looking at trees on the shore and at the water surface. Waves, but not swells, will tell you which way the wind is predominately blowing. The more open the water the more likely the waves will all be headed in the same direction; away from the wind. The closer to shore you get the more the waves will arc away from the wind and directly towards shore. The steeper the shore line (steep rocky cliffs and bluffs), the less this will happen. The shallower the shore line (beaches), the more it will happen.

A word about current. You have to be sure that the wind is moving you faster than the current if they are in opposition. But if you are going to use wind and wave this is a lesser consideration because even into a current with waves behind you, the canoe will go faster. In the flats it is critical that you pick the strongest force. Let the canoe sit still and see if you goes with the current or the wind. Then you know.

With the wind get out in it with as close to behind you as you can manage. Against the wind, hide from it behind islands, buildings, points of land, the other canoes, anything to get in the lee of it. The lee will actually pull you just as a sailboat is pulled/pushed by the wind behind the sail. it is the equivalent of an eddy in a current.

Give this some thought the next time you get into your canoe, particularly if you are steering but even if a motor. Wind matters a lot. Use it to your advantage.

Brent