UNDER THE MICROSCOPE-DOES IT PAY TO SURF?
Wash-hanging or wash-riding as it’s termed on the continent is canoe-sports equivalent of slipstreaming. The key difference from the cycling equivalent is that instead of tucking in behind to sit in a wind-shadow, wash-hanging involves using the wake of the other paddler to facilitate the glide on your boat. This technique is integral to marathon racing and consequently groups of paddlers often work together in an echelon shape formation.
Wash-hanging can also apply to other disciplines. For example, the team race format in wild-water racing and slalom and even the Big Boat Bonanza-at least in the team event! However, the fundamental question is how much is it worth to a paddler? Research with Canadian and Spanish paddlers in the 1990’s investigated the impact of wash-hanging in different positions by measuring physiological variables (e.g., heart rate, stroke
rate, blood lactate and ratings of exertion).
To explain, the possible positions are left, right and a couple of metres behind the lead boat (it’s termed an A-wash). The consistent finding was that, across all variables, it was significantly more efficient to be wash-hanging than leading. For instance, heart rate dropped from a
mean of 172 b.p.m. to 151 b.p.m. in the two conditions. In fact, one of the more recent studies concluded that "wash riding" involves a saving in energy cost of between 18% and 32%, depending on the position.
While the studies were conducted on flat-water conditions over a short-duration, it’s now possible to create your own field test using a GPS and heart rate monitor. Check your heart rate while leading the paddling group and while latching onto a wash, all the while maintaining a consistent speed. The only catch is that, from a coaching standpoint, it’s important that paddlers who race individually should close to their racing season focus on maintaining the glide on the boat without other boats interfering with their technique. All in all, surfing another paddlers wash can pay dividends.
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Subject: Wash-hanging explained.. sort of 
