Paddling Education

Retailer Spotlight: Kayak Freak, Denmark
Kayak Freak of Handbjerg, Denmark is northern Europe’s largest kayak shop. Their 2,500-square-meter building houses 1,000 kayaks of all sorts at any given time, along with canoes, SUPs and any paddling accessories you could want.
New & Improved Whiskey, Tango and Malta Paddles for 2025
Aqua Bound’s Malta stand-up paddle and Whiskey and Tango kayak paddles have been much-desired products in the paddling community since their introduction in 2017 and 2018. Now we’ve upgraded them significantly for 2025.
Coontail: A Wisconsin Independent Paddling Retailer
Coontail is an independent outdoor retailer in northern Wisconsin surrounded by thousands of lakes. Their robust paddling department has helped get people on the lakes and rivers near them since 1993.
How to Care for Your Kayak Properly
The proper care of your kayak, paddle and gear ensures they’ll last for decades of fun and adventure on the water.
How Does Kayaking Affect the Environment?
Kayaking, paddleboarding, canoeing, packrafting—these paddlesports are amazing ways to enjoy nature, get some exercise and have fun with others. But how do they affect the environment, both positively and negatively?
Don't Let These 7 Kayaking Mistakes Lead to Tragedy
Although kayaking is statistically an extremely safe sport, some kayaking mistakes can be serious. Here we look at seven that can lead to tragedy and how to protect yourself by keeping safety top-of-mind.
Buy or Rent a Kayak: What’s Best for You?
So you’ve rented kayaks a few times and love your time on the water. Your next question is: Should I buy a kayak or keep renting? We can help you think that through…
Retailer Spotlight: Get Outdoors Pedal & Paddle
Get Outdoors Pedal & Paddle is a Greensboro, North Carolina paddlesports shop dedicated to education and conservation efforts, serving their customers and offering a variety of kayak trip opportunities. They’ve become one of the largest outdoor retailers in the Southeast.
St. Croix River Kayaking: Wildlife to See
Greg Seitz is an avid kayaker and dedicated supporter of the St Croix River that forms part of the border between Wisconsin and Minnesota. He tells us why this river provides ideal wildlife habitat and what paddlers can expect to see on their journey downriver.
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.
Youth Kayaking for Education, Fun and Life Skills
Aqua Bound Ambassador Marcel Bieg is the director of River House Outdoor Center in Eugene, Oregon. A lifelong paddler himself, Marcel discusses the paddle programming they offer as well as the myriad of benefits he sees for kids who paddle.
Why Do YOU Love to Paddle?
There are so many reasons we choose to kayak, canoe, paddleboard or packraft. Here are some of the main reasons we love to paddle. Which are YOUR reasons to love it?
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.
Where Do YOU Go for a Backyard Paddling Adventure?
Traveling to epic kayak and canoe destinations is amazing. But paddling locally can be equally wonderful and is a whole lot more accessible.
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:
25 Top Paddle Board Accessories: Needs & Fun-to-Haves
Paddle boarding (SUP) is pretty straightforward: you need a board, a paddle and a PFD. Depending on your situation, there are other accessories you may need to cover safety. And there are options you can choose that add to your enjoyment on the water.
Taking a SUP on a Canoe Race
Last spring, I was the first person to enter Houlton, Maine’s Meduxnekeag River Canoe Race with a stand-up paddle board (SUP). It was also my first time stand-up paddling a river.
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.
SUP: Inflatable vs. Solid Paddleboard
Should you buy an inflatable or a solid paddleboard? Let’s take a look at the advantages of each to help you make your decision…
Aqua Bound: Readers’ Favorite Content in 2022
Here’s a wrap-up of our readers’ favorite content for 2022—a great place to start if you’re new to Aqua Bound or just looking for fun paddling content.
Glow in the Dark Kayaking? Why Not!
It’s nothing new to kayak in the dark, especially with a full moon or with lots of city lights to show us our way. But with new technology, glow-in-the-dark paddling opportunities are emerging.