As kayaking evolved over a period of time, there were many developments and innovations that took place, especially with respect to the equipments used. The addition of these tools has allowed kayaking enthusiasts to easily take up the sport and master it. Although flatwater and whitewater kayaks have several similar equipments, there are some parts that are specifically used either in sea kayaking or in whitewater kayaking. Rudders and skegs are precisely such parts that are used only in sea kayaking.

Rudders

Rudders are basically used to keep the kayak on a straight path. This is very crucial during sea kayaking as on open waters, kayaks tend to get wayward. In such situations, paddlers can steer the kayak with the help of the rudders and keep it on a straight path.

The rudder is designed like a blade that is attached to the stern of the kayak and is controlled through the foot pedals in the cockpit. Thus, to steer the kayak to the right the paddler pushes on the right pedal the rudder blade would pivot to the right and vice versa. When the paddler pushes the right pedal, the right side if the kayak slows down while the left side continues to move at the same speed. This makes steering easy. The rudder is attached to the foot pedals with the help of stainless steel or cordage cables.

Yet another advantage is that rudders can easily be deployed or put away from the cockpit. Thus, paddlers can easily raise the rudders while launching or landing the kayak or while navigating through shallow waters. Rudders are mainly useful on open seas and very long kayaks.

Rudders also come with special keeper cords that help in securing them to the deck of the kayaks. This makes it easy to store the rudders during transportation.

Often, as kayakers grow in experience and become more adept in paddling, they use less of rudders as they can control the direction themselves.

Skegs

Usually used in tandem with rudders, skegs are used in tracking. When paddling crosswind, a kayak with skegs would usually go sideways down the wind. To prevent it from going downwind, the paddler must balance the bow and the stern equally. It becomes easy to balance the bow and the stern by trimming the skeg. This would ensure that the kayak maintains its proper direction.

When the skeg is turned upwards, the kayak turns into the wind while when it is turned down, the kayak turns downwind. To turn the kayak crosswind, the skeg must be positioned halfway down.

Unlike in rudder kayaks, skegs also ensure that paddlers can position their feet freely and brace them properly. While controlling rudder kayaks, paddlers need to place one foot on the pedal to direct the kayak. However, skegs do not require this and thus allow free feet movement for the paddlers during advanced maneuvers like edging, rolling and skulling.

Rudders and skegs, though not mandatory, are good additions to the kayak and help in maintaining the direction of the kayak and controlling it easily.