Paddling Education

The ‘Pack’ in Packraft
Written By Rachel Davies Packrafts are touted as a versatile tool for exploration – by compactly packing into hiking gear to get over mountain passes and then swiftly transforming into stable but maneuverable boats for smashing down rivers or gliding...
Wilderness Canoeing Above the Arctic Circle
Minnesota canoeist, Jim Gallagher, has been on more than 20 wilderness canoe trips above the Arctic Circle in Canada and Alaska. We wanted to hear Jim’s story about how he got into wilderness canoeing and what he loves about paddling in the Arctic. Here’s our conversation...
Book Review: “The Bikeraft Guide”
The Bikeraft Guide is the “ultimate how-to guide, history of and wild adventures stories about bikerafting.” Written by our friends Lizzy Scully and Steve “Doom” Fassbinder, and with a foreward by bikerafting icon, Roman Dial, this new book is a must-have for all aspiring, and even experienced, bikerafters.
What to Know About Inflatable Kayaks
Inflatable kayaks have been getting very popular, and for many good reasons. But they also bring up several questions you don’t have to answer with a hardshell kayak. In this video, Aqua Bound ProStaffer Ken Whiting talks about what you need to know about inflatable kayaks:
Packrafting in Swedish Lapland: “Earning a River” Film
Aqua Bound ProStaffer and filmmaker Jacob Kastrup Haagensen documented a packraft trip in northern Sweden with a group of friends. Their demanding route hiking to and packrafting the Kaitum River became the film Earning a River.
The Best Kayaks for River Paddling
  This sit-inside recreational kayak is great for slow-moving rivers (photos courtesy of @paddle365) Because rivers provide a different environment for kayakers than the flatwater and open ocean environment, a different type of kayak is needed. Ken Whiting of Paddle...
How to Transport Your Kayak
Kayaking is super fun and super healthy. But it has its challenges, the first of which is how to transport your kayak to the water you want to paddle.
Aqua Bound’s Shred Family of Whitewater Paddles
There are seven members of our Shred family of whitewater paddles, each ready for your next epic paddling adventure.
Kayak Camping in Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a world-class sea kayaking destination on the world’s largest freshwater lake—Lake Superior. Kayak camping here is spectacular.
Deciding Where to Paddle Next
We paddlers know that one of the special things about water is that it’s never the same. One can be on a body of water innumerable times with vastly different experiences. So how do you decide where to go next?
Must-Have Gear for Your Paddle Boarding Trip

This article covers ideal options regarding attires and gears under different weather conditions for Paddle Boarding so that you surf with comfort at every step!

Comparing A Basic Kayak to a High-End Kayak [Video]
In this video, Paddle Tales’ Ken Whiting explains the differences between a basic sit-on-top kayak and a higher-end sit-on-top kayak.
Packrafting the Canyons of the Colorado River [Video]
Filmmaker and outdoor adventurer, Hank Leukart and his buddy, Jake Jenkins, take a packrafting trip down the Colorado River through Horsethief, Ruby and Westwater Canyons. They tackled up to Class IV rapids on their epic packraft adventure.
How to Get In (and Out of) Your Kayak
Most sources teach you how to get in and out of your kayak using your paddle. We recommend you learn how to enter and exit your kayak without your paddle.
The Great Lakes: Where to Sea Kayak on Lake Huron
Lake Huron, with its 3,827 miles of shoreline (6,158 km) and 30,000 islands, is a world-class freshwater sea kayaking destination. Its 23,000 square miles (59,570 sq km) make it the second largest of the Great Lakes and the fifth largest freshwater lake on the planet.
Kayak Safely on Busy Waterways [Video]
“Paddling on busy waterways is like swimming in shark-infested waters. You’re immediately in the food chain at the bottom!” says Ken Whiting, host of of this PaddleTales episode.
Enter the Aqua Bound/Paddling Maps Drawing to Win a Free Tango Paddle
(July 2021) Aqua Bound has partnered with PaddlingMaps for a chance for you to win one of our Tango Fiberglass straight shaft kayak paddles!
The Benefit of High-Visibility Kayak Blades
As a kayaker, you’re one of the smallest boats on the water, especially in big water. One of the best ways to be seen by other boaters is to use a kayak paddle with high-visibility blades along with bright-colored clothing and gear.
Las Vegas Kayak Outfitter, Blazin’ Paddles
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.
Packrafting Safety
As with all paddling sports, safety needs to always be top-of-mind for packrafters, whether they’re beginners or experienced paddlers.
The Great Lakes: Where to Sea Kayak on Lake Michigan
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.