Paddling Education

There are so many new paddlers out this summer due to COVID restrictions and social distancing practices. That’s great news! But inexperienced paddlers may not know how to paddle responsibly and with Leave No Trace principles in mind.

One of the biggest mistakes we see novice paddlers make—whether kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding—is using just their arms and shoulders to paddle and not their whole core…

A common question we get as we’re helping people find the right paddle for them is: What’s the difference between straight shaft and bent shaft kayak paddles? Why should you choose one over the other? We’re going to help solve this dilemma for you…

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?

Watersports are generally very safe, but we still need to know what to do in case of an emergency. For kayakers, that includes knowing self-rescue skills. Watch this video from expert kayaker, Ken Whiting, and the ACA…

When you can go into a paddle sports retailer and size a paddle, that’s great. But if you don’t live near one or they’re not open when you want to buy a paddle, it’s easy to size yourself from home, too.

We’re all longing to get out of the house and on the water in a kayak, packraft or SUP board. Not just because of two months+ of quarantine, but because the weather’s beautiful and summer is upon us! How do we do that in a safe, socially-distanced way?

Join kayak expert Ken Whiting as he shows us how to safely launch and land your kayak in a surf zone…

Whether an intentional or unintentional dunking happens while you SUP, getting back on your board is something you need to learn…

Even the toughest paddles in the industry appreciate a little love. At Aqua Bound, we know our paddles perform best when they receive the proper care.

One of the reasons kayaking is such a great water sport for so many is that finesse—good technique—is more important than power…

ProStaffer Peter Lavigne loves kayaking in the ocean surf near his home in Saint John New Brunswick, Canada. If you’d love to try this, too, keep reading as Pete shares his best tips with us…

There are many reasons why stand-up paddleboarding has been one of fastest growing outdoor recreation activities in recent years: it’s easy to learn and great exercise…

If you plan to kayak in high-traffic waters, you’ll need to learn the “rules of the road.” Kayak expert, Ken Whiting, shares his tips with us in this video…

Kayak expert, Ken Whiting, shares with us the gear you need to get started kayak touring in this instructional video…

One of the great things about kayaking is that anyone can grab a paddle and a kayak, put it in the water and start paddling…

In this video, kayaking expert, Ken Whiting, explains the two most common methods to roll a kayak.

“What is paddle feathering?” That’s a question we get all the time. If you’ve been wondering what paddle feathering is and why it matters, here are the basics…

A tandem kayak—a kayak built for two—can be a great way to get out on the water both for a recreational paddle and for a longer touring excursion.

Stand-up paddleboard (SUP) yoga combines the peace, centeredness and full-body engagement of yoga with the fresh air and natural connection found on the water.

For those now standing up on the paddleboard and getting the hang of the balance and motion involved in stand-up paddling, the J-stroke is a great addition!