Paddling Education

Custom-Crafted Ultralite Packrafting Gear
Aqua Bound Ambassador Dan Ransom was looking for better ultralight packrafting gear for his own expeditions. So he did what many outdoors folks have done before—he started to make them himself.
Packrafting Canada’s Nahanni River
In the summer of 2023, Aqua Bound Ambassador Jeremie Lamart joined a crew to packraft Canada’s Nahanni River over 10 days. This remote national park in The Northwest Territories offers stunning scenery, abundant wildlife and in this case, a chance to meet new friends while outdoor adventuring.
Aqua Bound Goes to Greenland
July 2023 was an epic month for several Aqua Bound team members when they joined AB Ambassadors Laila and Christian for a sea kayak trip in Greenland.
Kayaking the Ozark’s Current River

The Upper Current River, part of Ozark National Scenic Riverways, is a super-scenic and friendly river for kayakers, canoeists and paddleboarders of all abilities.
New Zealand Packrafting: Hollyford-Pyke Loop
By: Eszter Horanyi I could feel tears welling up in my eyes as I struggled in the seemingly bottomless pit of mud, my heavily loaded packraft fallen to the side into some trees, my drysuit zipper, which had been unzipped...
Why Kayak Flotation Matters
Kayaking safety should always be top-of-mind, especially if you take your kayak further than a small local lake and plan to paddle in all weather conditions. “Kayak flotation” is one of those safety topics you need to understand.
Kayaking Norway’s Largest Fjords, Part 1

Aqua Bound Ambassador Joachim Larssen is no stranger to marathon sea kayak expeditions. He gives us a peek inside his Fjords of Norway trip of 2023 when he began his quest to kayak Norway’s ten longest fjords.
Youth Kayaking for Education, Fun and Life Skills
Aqua Bound Ambassador Marcel Bieg is the director of River House Outdoor Center in Eugene, Oregon. A lifelong paddler himself, Marcel discusses the paddle programming they offer as well as the myriad of benefits he sees for kids who paddle.
An Inflatable Fishing Kayak for Reliable Portability
When you think of a fishing kayak, you don’t think inflatable. But one manufacturer has designed an inflatable kayak specifically for fishing.
Bikerafting Trip to New Zealand’s Dillon Cone
Bikerafter and filmmaker Deane Parker and a few mates headed into the mountains surrounding New Zealand’s Dillon Cone by way of the Clarence River. The goal of their trip was the tackle the summit and descent by bike, after an unsuccessful 2017 attempt.
Packrafting Washington’s Methow River
In scenic northcentral Washington lies the Methow River, the “home river” of Aqua Bound Ambassador Jessica Kelley. Here she shares with us an expedition she’s been wanting to take for a long time—the Methow from start to finish.
Sea Kayaking Dominica’s Waitukubuli Sea Trail
Join Ken Whiting, Aqua Bound Ambassador, as he sea kayaks for the first time along the coastline of the beautiful island country of Dominica.
Why Do YOU Love to Paddle?
There are so many reasons we choose to kayak, canoe, paddleboard or packraft. Here are some of the main reasons we love to paddle. Which are YOUR reasons to love it?
How to Choose the Right Water Conditions for Kayaking
The kinds of water conditions that make ideal kayaking, packrafting and paddle boarding depend on a couple of key factors: your experience and the type of boat and gear you have.
Gear Review: Open-Cockpit Rec Kayaks
In this two-part video series, our friend Dan Arbuckle from Headwaters Kayak compares five open-cockpit recreational kayak models for features, value and performance.
Sea Kayaking in the Land of Ice and Fire
Aqua Bound Ambassador Rachel Bott attended the Sea Kayak Iceland Symposium 2023 in Arnastapi, Iceland. In this blog post she tells us a bit more about the event, the conditions, and the awesome international instructors present.
Sea Kayaking Norway’s Coast near Trondheim
Aqua Bound Ambassador Reidar Sether grew up on the island of Hitra, along the central Norwegian coast. Come along as he shares his favorite things about this sea kayaker's paradise near Trondheim.
Where Do YOU Go for a Backyard Paddling Adventure?
Traveling to epic kayak and canoe destinations is amazing. But paddling locally can be equally wonderful and is a whole lot more accessible.
“Blackwaters: Brotherhood in the Wild” Film
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.
How to Choose the Best Life Jacket for You
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:
How to Introduce Kids to Paddling
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!