Data, I know a lot of very, very experienced paddlers who also can make the case for no skeg and no rudder. You have heard of Pygmy and NC boats--right? I reiterate, all paddlers should learn to manage their boats without the skeg, or the rudder in case those devices are disabled, or when conditions are troublesome enough that they are of little help in turning. I don't think the original kayakers had skegs, or rudders.