Paddling Education

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:

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We’re excited to announce that Aqua Bound’s Sting Ray Carbon kayak paddle has won Paddling Magazine’s award for 2023 Best Paddle!

When Canadian wildfire fighter, Ben Kwiatkowski, contacted us about a partnership with his adventure racing team we were excited to jump on board with them. We knew our paddles are tough enough to help them compete with the world’s best.

Modern packrafting was born out of innovation by packrafters, and continues to be driven by that same innovation. You can be sure the products made will live up to the rigors and demands of this paddlesport.

It’s that time of year when gift giving is on our mind. We want to help you out by suggesting some of our favorite kayak, SUP and packraft brands for all your paddling friends and family.

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.

Paddle TV’s Ken Whiting has been using Aqua Bound kayak paddles for 25 years. Here he shares his thoughts on the updates we’ve made to our best-selling Sting Ray and Manta Ray paddles.

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.

Kairacross is a unique packrafting and backpacking adventure event based in northern Finland during its “nightless night” season—midsummer. We had a chance to connect with Mikko Nenonen, co-owner of a Finnish paddlesports shop and participant in Kairacross.

Unless you’re pretty immersed in the paddling world, you’ve probably never heard of a packraft. It’s one of the coolest little boats available—and ideal for backpackers!

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.

How much do you really need to know about choosing a kayak paddle? More than you think at first glance!