Paddling Education

Aqua-Bound’s Ray series of kayak paddles has been our best-selling line for many years now. There are several options within this series, so here we compare the Sting Ray to the Manta Ray so you know which is right for you.

There’s something adventurous and exotic about planning kayak, packraft, canoe or SUP trips in faraway places. Somehow we imagine a road trip or overseas destination will be better.

But paddling locally can be just as fun…and in our current situation, the best choice!

Are you hungry for good news? We are, too. Kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, packrafting…these are fun and relaxing. But while we’re on the water, let’s clean up our lakes and rivers and add some good news to this hard season we’re in!

At Aqua-Bound we use three different ferrule systems for our Sting Ray and Manta Ray kayak paddles: the snap-button ferrule for our fiberglass shafts, and the Posi-Lok and Versa-Lok ferrules for our carbon shafts. Here, we’ll focus on comparing the Posi-Lok with the snap-button ferrule.

Many customers have asked us the difference between the Hybrid and Carbon models in our Ray series of kayak paddles. Here’s the low-down…

We think kayaking, packrafting and stand-up paddling are three of the best activities you can do in our new social distancing world. Here’s why… It’s Easy to Socially Distance in a Kayak, a Packraft or on a SUP Board That...

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?

Just Me, Nature is the short film by Jacob Kastrup Haagensen about his solo packraft trip through Tresticklan National Park in Sweden. The Copenhagen native who founded UrbanPackrafter.com now lives in Sweden. Busy with work and family life, he managed...

If you love the convenience of podcasts, here’s our not-to-miss list of podcasts geared to packrafting…

“I’m never packrafting the Grand Canyon.” That’s what I told my partner, “Doom,” not even a year after I moved to Mancos from the Front Range to be with him.

Jonas Alexandersson, from Mellerud, Sweden, is our ProStaffer of the Month for March 2020. Let’s meet Jonas…

The American Canoe Association (ACA) makes it easy for you to take their Paddlesports Safety Course—you can take it online from anywhere…

For the kayaker who wants a high-performing, ultra-light and ultra-comfortable paddle, look no further than Aqua-Bound’s new bent shaft Whiskey or Tango…

With its beautiful blue-green water, semi-tropical temperatures and variety of marine wildlife, Los Arcos National Marine Park near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is a wonderful kayak destination…

Aqua-Bound’s ProStaffer of the Month for January 2020 is Marianne Nysted, a native of Denmark. Let’s meet Marianne…

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

The folks at MST Adventures love taking their guests on paddle trips on their local New Mexico rivers. Here’s their story…

Lofoten, Norway, will provide the perfect environment for a sea kayaker. The scenery with mountains and fjords makes this to one of the most beautiful places in the world, and it’s well known among paddlers.

Aqua-Bound customer, Thomas Chekouras, has developed his love for kayaking rather uniquely. He tells us his story of how kayaking has changed his life…

Spending any time in Sweden is a good idea. Arriving the week of Midsommar and putting my boat in the water 18 days out of the next 24? A dream trip!

Beth Poliquin has guided kayakers in the tropics of Hawaii, and now lives and works along the rugged north shore of Lake Superior. The differences she cites may surprise you…