I'm curious whether there are other types of non-motorized crafts that are just as good as kayaks for accompanying individual swimmers in an open water swim race (in this case a lake). Would there be any downsides to canoes vs kayaks (assuming it has the needed # of people)?
Another downside to canoes is that it takes a lot more skill to effectively steer a canoe. However on the upside with skilled paddlers you have the advantage of more storage room for swimmer supplies and you have 2 support crew members instead of one.
As for other non-motorized craft, the Atlantic City Marathon used Lifeguard rowboats. The upside was you have lots of room for supplies; the lifeguards did a phenomenal job of leading the swimmers while the coaches worked with the swimmers and most importantly the row boat broke the waves and made a great draft for the swimmers.
Another downside to canoes is that it takes a lot more skill to effectively steer a canoe. However on the upside with skilled paddlers you have the advantage of more storage room for swimmer supplies and you have 2 support crew members instead of one.
As for other non-motorized craft, the Atlantic City Marathon used Lifeguard rowboats. The upside was you have lots of room for supplies; the lifeguards did a phenomenal job of leading the swimmers while the coaches worked with the swimmers and most importantly the row boat broke the waves and made a great draft for the swimmers.
