Paddling Education

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Aqua Bound Ambassador Charles Bauer loves to kayak in new places both in the US and abroad. He’s found his Tango 4-piece paddle to be his favorite traveling companion…

The Paint Rock River in North Alabama is a perfect choice for anyone who loves a relaxing day on the water. No tough rapids, lovely scenery, a refreshing summer float—whether you’re a new kayaker or an experienced one, you’ll love the Paint Rock.

What would it be like to kayak in Antarctica? Aqua Bound Ambassador and pro kayaker, David Horkan, knows first-hand. He works as a guide for an expedition cruise ship company that takes their guests there.

The Red Deer River starts its journey in the Rocky Mountains. It winds across the province, north of Calgary, where it drops through class II to class IV rapids, and eventually widens and calms north of Drumheller in the Badlands.

Backyard Adventures is all about maximizing days on the water. Look locally to have quick easy adventures planned for that last minute day off or change of schedule. 

On August 28, 2022 Aqua Bound Ambassador and sea kayaker, Nick Ray, will embark on a year-long mission to kayak around Scotland. This expedition he’s calling Scotland 365 is a celebration of life for Nick, and will—if all goes as planned—end on his 60th birthday.

In May 2022 we released the short film Norway: A Kayaker’s Playground as a joint effort with our Norwegian Aqua Bound dealers and Ambassadors. In it we highlight Norway as a kayaking destination…

Wyoming isn’t the first destination that comes to mind when one thinks of kayaking—especially a Minnesotan like me. But Fremont Canyon, an easy drive from Casper, is worthy of any kayaker’s consideration.

In the middle of agricultural country and just over an hour away from Ottawa, Ontario is one of the top whitewater kayaking spots in the world.

National parks, lakeshores and riverways offer paddlers the chance to see magnificent views from a refreshing vantage point: the water. We compiled a list of seven stunning national parks to paddle your way through the Continental United States.

Bikerafter and filmmaker, Deane Parker, co-led a crew of mostly first-timers for a bike and packraft trip down New Zealand’s Hurunui River.

Deane Parker, filmmaker and outdoor adventurer, joined a few of his mates for a hike-in packrafting trip down the Waingaro River in his native New Zealand.

Winning a follow-up permit lottery from Grand Canyon National Park allowed Johnathan and Hannah Shininger an opportunity of a lifetime: to packraft 90 miles of the Colorado River through the Canyon.