Paddling Education

We paddlers know that one of the special things about water is that it’s never the same. One can be on a body of water innumerable times with vastly different experiences. So how do you decide where to go next?

In this video, Paddle Tales’ Ken Whiting explains the differences between a basic sit-on-top kayak and a higher-end sit-on-top kayak.

Filmmaker and outdoor adventurer, Hank Leukart and his buddy, Jake Jenkins, take a packrafting trip down the Colorado River through Horsethief, Ruby and Westwater Canyons. They tackled up to Class IV rapids on their epic packraft adventure.

Most sources teach you how to get in and out of your kayak using your paddle. We recommend you learn how to enter and exit your kayak without your paddle.

Lake Huron, with its 3,827 miles of shoreline (6,158 km) and 30,000 islands, is a world-class freshwater sea kayaking destination. Its 23,000 square miles (59,570 sq km) make it the second largest of the Great Lakes and the fifth largest freshwater lake on the planet.

“Paddling on busy waterways is like swimming in shark-infested waters. You’re immediately in the food chain at the bottom!” says Ken Whiting, host of of this PaddleTales episode.

(July 2021) Aqua Bound has partnered with PaddlingMaps for a chance for you to win one of our Tango Fiberglass straight shaft kayak paddles!

As a kayaker, you’re one of the smallest boats on the water, especially in big water. One of the best ways to be seen by other boaters is to use a kayak paddle with high-visibility blades along with bright-colored clothing and gear.

Nevada-based kayak outfitter, Blazin’ Paddles, does one thing and does it well—they take their guests kayaking on the Black Canyon stretch of the Colorado River.

As with all paddling sports, safety needs to always be top-of-mind for packrafters, whether they’re beginners or experienced paddlers.

The Great Lakes, containing 84% of North America’s fresh surface water, are a world-class sea kayaking destination. In this article we’ll explore the shores of Lake Michigan and let you know the outfitters ready to take you there.

Ken Whiting tells us about the canoe trip gear items he considers essential in this video from Paddle Tales, Canoe Tripping Gear I Never Leave at Home…

Want to contribute to a great cause for every mile you kayak, canoe or paddleboard in 2021? Join the Global Rising Tide Relay and help raise money to take on plastic pollution in our world’s waterways.

The Madawaska River in Ontario’s Highlands is one of the best rivers in the world to learn how to whitewater kayak or canoe. It’s no surprise that with its do-able rapids, relatively warm water and reliable flow it’s also home to the original whitewater school.

Operation Heal Our Patriots (OHOP) is a week-long Alaskan marriage retreat focused on strengthening the marriages of injured US military members and veterans. Outdoor activities are an integral part of the programming for these retreats, including kayaking.

Get outfitted for some serious kayak fishing with one of the paddles from our Manta Ray family. There’s one for every budget!

Covid-19’s impact on our world has been unprecedented in so many ways. While there’s plenty of bad news from this pandemic, there’s also some good news that came out of it—millions of people have rediscovered nature and the outdoors.

 Here is the list of 15 places to soothe your body and mind while paddle boarding.

Millions of people entered the kayaking world in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic. If you’re one of these beginning kayakers, we’ve collected 11 our most popular and important kayaking articles to help you out…

Whitewater kayaking is a different animal than flatwater kayaking. River levels, water hazards and varying degrees of rapids make it complex and demand respect in a different way. Here we bust common misconceptions beginning whitewater kayakers are sometimes told…

Ken Whiting of Paddle Tales journeyed to Ontario’s Petewawa River in Algonquin Provincial Park for six days of paddling, fishing and kayak camping. He was joined by James McBeath of Jackson Kayak and Brendan Mark of Heliconia Media.