Paddling Education

5 Reasons Why Kayaking is the Most Inclusive Paddlesport
Of all the paddlesports out there—canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, whitewater kayaking, packrafting—kayaking is the most inclusive.
Packrafting & Hiking 2,500 miles of Alaskan Wilderness
Dan Binde, from Lake Park, Minnesota, recently completed his third long traverse in Alaska, totaling 2,500 miles of hiking and packrafting over the past three years. We asked him to tell about his trips in this interview…
Bikerafting New Zealand’s Mikonui River
New Zealand is known worldwide for its spectacular natural resources. The Mikonui River and river valley are no exception. Deane Parker and a couple friends take us on a short tour of this beautiful river via bikerafting in this video…
Should You Buy a Folding Kayak?
If your storage space is limited and you want to travel often with your kayak (especially by air), you should consider a folding kayak. This video with Ken Whiting of Paddle Tales gives an overview of this unique kayak type and talks whether it’s a good fit for you…
Top 5 Pieces of Paddling Gear You Need [Video]
Paddling expert, Ken Whiting, gives us a quick overview of the top five pieces of gear he believes every paddler should own. This is true whether you kayak, canoe, packraft or stand-up paddleboard.
Kayak in Canada’s Amazon [Video]
Ken Whiting and Paddles Tales take us kayaking down the “Canadian Amazon,” Ontario’s Big Creek.
We're Still Here.
2020 was unpredictable and unprecedented, which might be the understatement of the year. For us at Aqua Bound, 2020 started like any other. Many of the same people in the same roles handling the responsibilities they’ve tackled for years. We...
The Next Step Up from a Box Store Kayak
If you’re new to kayaking like millions of people are in 2020, you’ll want to watch this video from our good friend, Dan Arbuckle, from Headwaters Kayak in Lodi, California.
13 Great Gift Ideas for Paddlers
The holiday shopping season is here again! We have you covered with 13 of our best gift ideas for all the kayakers, paddleboarders, canoeists and packrafters on your list.
A Packraft & Bike Adventure along New Zealand’s “Forgotten Highways”
Four Kiwis from New Zealand’s South Island journey through historic routes in the North Island in this award-winning film by Deane Parker.
Make Your Own Dehydrated Meals for Paddle Trips
If you love extended paddle trips, learning to make your own dehydrated food can save you money and add a ton of flavor to your camp meals.
Learn from “The Bikeraft Guide” Video Series
One of the most helpful resources out there for bikerafters is a video series called The Bikeraft Guide, produced by Four Corners Guides.
Launch Etiquette for Kayakers, SUPers and Packrafters
When you share a launch with motor boats, our friends at Paddle TV suggest four basic etiquette guidelines to follow…
Cold Weather Paddling Clothes: What to Wear on Top
As the weather cools down into fall and turns cold for those in the north, you can get by wearing anything in your closet for paddling. But there are tops designed specifically for paddling that’ll be more comfortable, and keep you warm and dry even in the coldest weather.
20 Days of Backpacking & Packrafting the Brooks Range in Alaska
Colorado Outward Bound instructors, Noah Larsen and Arthur Shain, took on Alaska’s Brooks Range for a 400-mile packraft and backpack expedition in August. We were able to nail them down for a video chat…
Outfitter Spotlight: Four Corners Guides, Colorado
We recently had a great virtual conversation with co-owners Lizzy Scully and Steve “Doom” Fassbinder to talk about Four Corners, their ranch, and running an outdoor tour business during COVID.
How to Paddle with Young Children
Paddling with very young children is different than with those old enough to learn to paddle their own kayak or SUP board. Our friends at Paddle TV have several helpful videos about getting on the water with our little ones.
How to Choose a Kayak or SUP Board that’s Right for You
Beat “analysis paralysis” when it comes to choosing a kayak or stand-up board!  The folks from Happy Paddlin’ have a wonderfully helpful formula for folks to choose a kayak, canoe or SUP board with less confusion and more confidence: FIT.
Learn Kayak Strokes: The High Brace
Both the high and low brace are important kayak strokes to learn so you’re able to keep your kayak upright in a self-rescue situation. The high brace is the most powerful stroke you can use to recover yourself on your way to a capsize, even when your kayak is almost upside down.
When to Teach Kids to Kayak & Paddleboard
When we get kids into paddling—kayaking, SUP, canoeing or packrafting—they can have a lifetime of fun and adventure on the water. But how young can they start?
Your Best Options for Paddling Shoes
For both comfort and safety, having the right footwear is an important discussion for paddlers of all types of boats—kayaks, canoes, packrafts and stand-up paddleboards.