I went once in NC, and every log I bumped made me nervous lolThe balance is - I think it requires a bit more practice (but just a bit more
and (of course) you can go much faster because you are using both oars -
I don't think I'd row in a lake with gators, though. Not with a scull.
I'm pretty cautious about them (I didn't even like swimming in lakes with them - you know, those FL lakes where everyone swears it is safe and that old gator just stays on the other side.......)