The race director for the Upper Ashuelot race was Peter Heed. If you are a kayaker, you may not recognize the name, but if you are or were a C-2 Marathon paddler, his name is as recognizable as Serge Corbin or Bob Zaveral.

When I went from racing recreational canoes to marathon canoes, I was told to go out and buy the racer's bible:

Canoe Racing - The Competitor's Guide to Marathon and Downriver Canoe Racing
by Peter Heed and Dick Mansfield

If you don't have it - get it.

This book provides valuable information for racing, period. It doesn't matter if it's canoe or kayak, racing class or recreational class, the information and insight is most definitely applicable.

I spent a few hours the night before the Upper Ashuelot race going through the book again. I remember why I do a lot of things now, like why I eat hotcakes every race day a few hours before the start. But, the reason I wanted to reread some chapters is that drafting is far more prevalent in flatwater races than downriver races and I just didn't feel comfortable at the Charles. That said, I find it much easier 1.) drafting canoes and 2.) drafting in a racing canoe. Hopefully as the season wears on, I will get better at and more comfortable with drafting kayaks.