: Apparently, on federal navigable waters (e.g., the Sound,
: Connecticut River, etc. any waters not under state
: jurisdiction), PFD are not required aboard "racing
: canoes" or "racing kayaks". Does this apply to
: classes of paddle craft, or to boats actually in the act of
: "racing." A somewhat bizarre (and not very safe)
: exemption.

:
: http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/boating/boating_regs/33_cfr_part175_subpart_b.pdf

Take a look at this video and count how many life jackets you see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpcSzHkDFmY

I don't find it particularly strange that racers should be given a pass. Sure it is "unsafe" in some sense and paddlers training on their own may want to think twice about not wearing a PFD, but to force people in races where there is very little risk would also be bizarre.