Aqua Bound: Readers’ Favorite Content in 2022
6-minute read
Here’s a wrap-up of our readers’ favorite content for 2022—a great place to start if you’re new to Aqua Bound or just looking for fun paddling content.
Grab your favorite beverage, get comfy and enjoy reading…
23 Top Tips to Get You Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Quickly
So you’ve been watching others paddle board and want to try it yourself. We’ve collected the best tips from across the SUP world to get you started.
Here are three:
- Know how to swim—Like any paddle sport, SUP is on the water. If you’re a proficient swimmer you’ll feel much more comfortable learning how to paddle board because you won’t fear the water.
- Start on your knees—This will give you a good feel for how the board moves on the water while you keep a lower center of gravity. You can practice maneuvering your board and testing its stability.
- Learn how to fall—When you expect to fall and even practice it, the idea of falling in the water is less scary. You can work on things like falling away from your board and keeping a tight grip on your paddle.
Read 23 Top Tips to Get You Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Quickly
Kayak Paddle Feathering: What is it and Why does it Matter?
“What is paddle feathering?” is one of the most common questions we get from our customers. In this post we cover:
- What paddle feathering is: Adjusting the ferrule (where your kayak paddle joins together in the middle) so the blades are at an angle to each other.
- Why feathering matters: It’s super handy in windy conditions, many kayakers find it’s easier on their wrists, and it can aid speed and efficiency when those are important.
Read Kayak Paddle Feathering: What is it and Why does it Matter?
SUP Technique – The J-Stroke
The J-stroke is one of the most basic and handy strokes you can learn for your paddle boarding adventures. It helps propel you forward but with an added twist that keeps the nose of your board heading straight.
Becoming proficient at the J-stroke will mean less switching from one side of your board to the other while you paddle. It helps conserve energy and makes for smoother paddling technique.
Read SUP Technique – The J-Stroke
Is a sit-inside or sit-on-top kayak right for you?
How to Choose: Sit-on-Top vs. Sit-In Kayaks
In this post we teamed up with Aqua Bound Ambassador, Ken Whiting, to explain the differences between sit-inside and sit-on-top kayaks. After reading the content and watching the video you’ll know which of these kayak types are best for you.
We cover topics like:
- What kind of kayaking do you want to do?
- Which is more stable?
- Which performs better?
- Which is more comfortable?
- And more
Read How to Choose: Sit-on-Top vs. Sit-In Kayaks
Bent vs. Straight Shaft Kayak Paddles
This post gives you a thorough look at how straight shaft and bent shaft kayak paddles compare, and will help you decide which one is best for you. It’s another question we get often from our customers.
There are advantages and disadvantages of both types of paddle shaft. For example, straight shaft paddles are easier to find and start at more affordable prices. Bent shaft paddles can be less fatiguing and cause less strain on your joints.
Read Bent vs. Straight Shaft Kayak Paddles
When is it Too Cold to Kayak?
If the water near you freezes over in the winter, it’s definitely too cold to kayak! Otherwise, the answer really is about kayaking safety in cold weather.
If you have open water, it’s not too cold to kayak as long as you have the right gear and mindset for winter or cold weather/cold water paddling.
Several kayakers on our Ambassador team kayak all winter long on the oceans near them. William McCluskey is one of these, and he offers several tips for both your comfort and your safety.
Read When is it Too Cold to Kayak?
Kayaking in Glacier National Park (Photo courtesy of Sharon Brodin)
Kayaking in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park in the US is one of the world’s most gorgeous parks, with some of the most beautiful lakes anywhere. From a kayak you can enjoy the clear, clear water and surrounding mountains from a different point of view than most of the park’s visitors.
In this blog post we cover some of the 700 lakes in Glacier that are ideal for kayaking, where you can rent boats, and where an inflatable kayak or packraft would give you great access, too.
Read Kayaking in Glacier National Park
Paddling in Grand Teton National Park
While there aren’t nearly as many lakes in the Tetons as there are at Glacier, and just 10 available for boating, the Teton remains one of the North America’s most scenic places to paddle. Crystal clear water with soaring mountain peaks beckon.
Rentals are available in a handful of areas, or bring your own boat. Packrafters, there are three backcountry lakes that require short portages—which mean very few people will be paddling them.
Read Paddling in Grand Teton National Park
A Paddling Guide to the Poconos: What to Know, Where to Go
The Poconos Mountains in eastern Pennsylvania boasts 150 lakes and 170 miles of rivers—an incredible spot for paddlesport enthusiasts. This area includes popular Delaware Gap National Recreation Area and the Middle Delaware National Scenic River.
We cover nine different parks and waterways that are ideal for kayakers, canoeists and paddle boarders in the ultra-scenic Poconos.
Read A Paddling Guide to the Poconos
(Photo courtesy of Gregory C.)
How to Paddle Board in Windy Conditions
Stand-up paddle boarding (also known as SUP) is a fun way to enjoy the water and get a great workout. Paddling along on glassy water is always a thrill…but not always reality. Sometimes wind can become a real issue.
We talk about tips for handling both wind and the waves that usually result. Your safety is always top priority, so we offer several safety tips like keeping your leash on and how to know when it’s just too windy.
Read How to Paddle Board in Windy Conditions
That’s a wrap for our most popular blog content of 2022! See you in 2023 with more to come.
Do you have paddle questions our friendly Customer Service Team can help you with today? Contact them: 715-755-3405 • [email protected]
More for you...