Paddling Education

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Packrafting and bikepacking—the combination of packrafting and biking—is gaining popularity around the globe. We’ve rounded up a few adventures you’ll want to read about here.

Paddle Tales’ Ken Whiting takes us to southeast Ontario’s 1000 Islands area for a day of kayaking and water fun.

Ken Whiting takes us kayaking in Bon Echo Provincial Park in southeast Ontario for this edition of Paddle Tales.

Join Paddle Tales host, Ken Whiting, for a kayak fishing trip on Lake Erie’s north shore, in southern Ontario’s Norfolk County region.

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…

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…

Ken Whiting and Paddles Tales take us kayaking down the “Canadian Amazon,” Ontario’s Big Creek.

Four Kiwis from New Zealand’s South Island journey through historic routes in the North Island in this award-winning film by Deane Parker.

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…

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.

Ken Whiting takes this episode of Paddle Tales to his hometown of Ottawa, Ontario where he kayaks the Rideau Canal.

2020 isn’t the best summer to travel to faraway national parks because of social distancing and limited services. But it doesn’t hurt to dream a little!

If you’ve not paddled much before—or even if you have, but haven’t fully explored the waterways around you—how do find the best places to kayak (or canoe, stand-up paddle board or packraft) near you?

There’s something adventurous and exotic about planning kayak, packraft, canoe or SUP trips in faraway places. Somehow we imagine a road trip or overseas destination will be better.

But paddling locally can be just as fun…and in our current situation, the best choice!

“I’m never packrafting the Grand Canyon.” That’s what I told my partner, “Doom,” not even a year after I moved to Mancos from the Front Range to be with him.

With its beautiful blue-green water, semi-tropical temperatures and variety of marine wildlife, Los Arcos National Marine Park near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is a wonderful kayak destination…