Paddling Education

Traveling to epic kayak and canoe destinations is amazing. But paddling locally can be equally wonderful and is a whole lot more accessible.

Blackwaters is a film by adventure photographer/creative director Chad Brown that follows five black outdoorsmen of diverse backgrounds into Gates of the Arctic National Park.

Aqua Bound Ambassador Ken Whiting covers the essentials of how to choose the best life jacket for you, no matter what type of paddling you do:

If you’re on the lookout for a wonderful way to get kids more interested in the great outdoors, water activities are a perfect place to start. In this blog, we dive into tips to get kids started paddling and learn about 5-year-old Astrid's first time packrafting!

Hugo Desrosiers embarked on an epic 490-kilometer kayak journey around Kyrgyzstan’s Lake Issyk-Kul in May 2022. This Canadian's first attempt at a solo kayak expedition in a foreign country proved both a success and life-changing education.

Scott Nechemis is an avid backcountry backpacker, but this was his first time packrafting. He, his partner Jordan McKinney, and Aqua Bound ambassador Dan Ransom took an overnight trip to the John Day River. This blog encapsulates his experience.

The Stonington Archipelago is a sea kayaker’s playground off the coast of Maine. This grouping of about 70 islands offers a ton to see and do from wildlife viewing to camping to learning about the history of this unique area.

Paddle boarding (SUP) is pretty straightforward: you need a board, a paddle and a PFD. Depending on your situation, there are other accessories you may need to cover safety. And there are options you can choose that add to your enjoyment on the water.

Safety should always be a top priority when you kayak, canoe, packraft or paddle board. Here are some essential safety guidelines, including tips from a couple of our Ambassadors.

The convergence of America’s two biggest rivers, the Mississippi and the Missouri, is just north of St. Louis, Missouri. In this video, Aqua Bound Ambassador Ken Whiting takes a solo canoe trip through the city to enjoy the views from the water.

Inflatable kayaks have become very popular while packrafts are still being discovered by many paddlers. Both are great options for the right situation. We compare them here so you can decide which is the best choice for you.

We asked some of our Ambassador team members to share their favorite local kayaking or packrafting spot with us. Maybe you live near these places, too, or are looking for a great travel destination.

Hardshell kayaks are designed and built with various shapes and lengths that directly impact their performance. Aqua Bound Ambassador Ken Whiting takes us through these differences in this video so you can make the best buying choice.

Aqua Bound Ambassador Katja Koskinen is an avid sea kayaker and packrafter in her native Finland and neighboring Sweden. Here, she tells her story of a multi-day packraft trip she took with friends in Muddus National Park.

Brothers Adam Andersson and Arvid Bååth grew up canoeing with their parents. In this film, the brothers talk about their paddling lives with the turquoise waters of Sweden’s Vistas River as their backdrop.

Last spring, I was the first person to enter Houlton, Maine’s Meduxnekeag River Canoe Race with a stand-up paddle board (SUP). It was also my first time stand-up paddling a river.

Paddling on rivers—whether with a kayak, canoe, packraft or paddle board—requires a knowledge of how rivers flow and a solid foundation of paddling skills. The faster the river and bigger the rapids, the more knowledge and skills you need.

Kayak portability is a huge must for some paddlers. In this video, our friend Dan Arbuckle (of Headwaters Kayak) compares two highly-portable kayaks: a small hardshell model and a folding model.

How do you know which fishing kayak is right for you? Aqua Bound Ambassador Ken Whiting goes over several tips for you to choose the right fishing kayak in this video…

Aqua Bound Ambassador Caj Koskinen and his wife Katja are avid packrafters in the Scandinavian wilderness areas of Sweden, Norway and their home country of Finland. Here Caj shares his favorite packraft destinations in Sweden.

So you want to buy a kayak. How do you know if a sit-on-top or a traditional sit-inside kayak is best for you? Here are some things to consider.