Paddling Education

“What I Packed for My Greenland Kayak Trip”
Aqua Bound Marketing Manager Kate Wright was one of six of our team members who embarked on a Greenland kayak trip in summer 2023. Here Kate talks about the challenges of packing for a multi-day trip like this—especially an international one.
How to Choose the Best Kayak for Your Family
Are you looking for the best kayak (or kayaks) for your family? Different options can work, depending on your season of life.
Safety Keys for Backcountry Packraft Trips
Aqua Bound Ambassador Johan Grönblad is an avid packrafter in his native Sweden. He’s also a former military medic and knows that safety must always stay top-of-mind when in the backcountry.
Kayaking Injury Prevention and Recovery
Alexander “Jalle” Stjernberg is a member of Aqua Bound’s Ambassador team and is uniquely qualified to talk to us about common kayaking injuries and how to prevent them.
23 Top Tips to Get You Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Quickly
Stand-up paddleboarding is a fantastic full-body workout that people of all ages can learn how to do and enjoy. We’ve collected 23 helpful tips to get you stand-up paddle boarding quickly.
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.
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!
Our Top Paddling Safety Tips
Safety should always be a top priority when you kayak, canoe, packraft or paddle board. Here are some essential safety guidelines, including tips from a couple of our Ambassadors.
Kayak vs Packraft: Comparing Inflatables
Inflatable kayaks have become very popular while packrafts are still being discovered by many paddlers. Both are great options for the right situation. We compare them here so you can decide which is the best choice for you.
How a Kayak’s Design Impacts Its Performance
Hardshell kayaks are designed and built with various shapes and lengths that directly impact their performance. Aqua Bound Ambassador Ken Whiting takes us through these differences in this video so you can make the best buying choice.
Learn to Read River Flow for Kayaking
Paddling on rivers—whether with a kayak, canoe, packraft or paddle board—requires a knowledge of how rivers flow and a solid foundation of paddling skills. The faster the river and bigger the rapids, the more knowledge and skills you need.
How to Choose a SUP Board
When it comes time to choose a SUP board (stand-up paddle board) there are a few questions you’ll want to answer.
Kayaking: Minimize the Aches & Pains
One of the most wonderful things about kayaking—and all paddle sports, really—is that it’s easier on our body than many outdoor activities. But the aches and pains do come sometimes, so how can we minimize them?
Basic Kayak Paddling Technique for Every Kayaker
When it comes to learning how to paddle a kayak, there are a few things that are helpful for you to know. You’ll be able to paddle easier and longer, and fully enjoy your time on the water.
Packrafting How-To: What’s In Your Bikeraft Kit?
New and experienced bikerafters alike can glean loads of wisdom from Lizzy Scully and Steve Fassbinder, the duo that runs Four Corners Guides and brought us The Bikeraft Guide, published in 2021. Here, they give us a look into what you should include in your bikeraft kit.
Aqua Bound's Posi-Lok™ Ferrule System
A ferrule system is the mechanism that connects the two halves of a kayak paddle together in the center. Aqua Bound’s Posi-Lok ferrule system makes it super easy to connect, disconnect and change feathering angles.
The Versa-Lok™ Ferrule System = Easy Versatility
Aqua Bounds' Versa-LokTM adjustable ferrule system offers you the ultimate in kayak paddle versatility and usability. Whether you’re a recreational flatwater paddler, a seasoned touring kayaking, an avid packrafter—you’ll love this durable and easy-to-use ferrule.
A Multi-Day Kayak Trip with Type 1 Diabetes
A first multi-day sea kayak trip will be physically and mentally challenging for anyone. For someone with Type 1 diabetes it’s extra challenging, as 28-year old Rachel Anderson shares with us.
Which Alpacka Packraft is for You?
Alpacka Raft makes several different types of packrafts. How do you know which one is right for you? Aqua Bound Ambassador Caj Koskinen takes us through a few packrafts from their fleet to help you decide.