Stroking in Kayaks vs. Canoes in Olympics

All:

I'm not either (semi-afraid of water!), but here's what I noticed
(hope this is the right place to post):

The canoe-ers stroked on *opposite* sides of the boat, I think
alternately (one would stroke while the other finished/readied to
stroke--IIRC), while in kayaking, they stroked in unison on *one* side, then
the other.

I'm wondering why the difference (physics? tradition? a rule?), and
if one has an advantage over the other?
What would happen if kayakers stroked like canoe-ers, and canoe-ers
like kayakers?

How about unison stroking on opposite sides?

Thanks for any input.

----------------------------
Mr. P.V.'d
formerly Droll Troll

I'm pretty sure it's to provide more constant power so the boat doesn't
porpoise as much. I'm also pretty sure the kayak paddles would be less
effective if one was thrashing water just disturbed by the one in front as
would happen if they were not synchronized.

"Proctologically Violated©®" (physical@erols.com) writes:
 > All:
 >
 > I'm not either (semi-afraid of water!), but here's what I noticed
 > (hope this is the right place to post):
 >
 > The canoe-ers stroked on *opposite* sides of the boat, I think
 > alternately (one would stroke while the other finished/readied to
 > stroke--IIRC), while in kayaking, they stroked in unison on *one* side, then
 > the other.
 >
 > I'm wondering why the difference (physics? tradition? a rule?), and
 > if one has an advantage over the other?
 > What would happen if kayakers stroked like canoe-ers, and canoe-ers
 > like kayakers?
 >
 > How about unison stroking on opposite sides?
 >
 > Thanks for any input.
 >
 > ----------------------------
 > Mr. P.V.'d
 > formerly Droll Troll
 >
 >


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