- Kayaking Laws in California. (As Seen On TV)Great weather. Beautiful people. 840 miles of beach. It’s no wonder that kayakers love California. Whether you live in a dramatically overpriced home in California, or you’re visiting from your own dramatically overpriced home out of state, you’ll be well-served to brush …
- Kayak Whale Watching in Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick. (Ride the Tide Where the Whales Hide)Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick is a recognized location for observing whales while paddling around in a sea kayak. In this post I discuss the unique characteristics of kayak whale watching in Bay of Fundy. During the journey, I highlight the types …
- Kayak Whale Watching in Monterey Bay, California. (Where the Celebrities are the Whales)Monterey Bay, California is a popular destination for watching all manner of marine life, but especially whales. In this post we discuss the character of whale-watching in this location, including which whales you might see, when you might see them, and the …
- Kayak Whale Watching at San Juan Islands, Washington. The Only Guide You NeedSan Juan Islands, Washington is a super-popular whale-watching destination. If you want to saddle up a sea kayak and get up close and personal with a pod of orcas, this is as good a place as any in the world to do …
- What are the Different Classes of Rapids? Class is Now in SessionPersonally, most of my whitewater experience has been on the Ottawa River in Ontario, Canada. The Coliseum Rapid at high-water level (typically a Class IV) always required that my affairs be in order before trying to navigate left and avoid the Kahuna. …
- Kayaking Rules in Texas. Keeping it Legal in the Lone Star StateWhether you’re a Texas native or are simply planning to visit, getting up to speed on the kayaking rules in Texas will ensure you stay safe and keep onside of all laws and regulations. To keep all kayaking rules of the Texas …
- Kayaking Rules in Florida. Stay Out of the Slammer and on Your BoatThe state of Florida is a bananas place. I love visiting Florida and drop what feels like a a small fortune there every year. While there, most of my time and resources is directed to a cartoon mouse. However, I do find …
- How to Fish on a Stand-Up Kayak. The Higher You Be, the More Fish You SeeWhy take the risk of standing up in a 34 inch wide-boat that can absolutely capsize at the mere thought of the word ‘imbalance’? You do it for the view. As the title states, ‘The Higher You Be, the More Fish You …
- How to Fish From a Kayak. Kayak Fishing Tips for Beginners (and Old Geysers as Well)I recall when I expanded from simply paddling around in a kayak to actually fishing from one. Candidly, I was a bit intimidated by the learning curve. I knew so little about fishing in general, let alone how to fish from a …
- How to Choose Between a Kayak and a Canoe. We Compare and Contrast Literally Everything. At Length.Deciding whether to purchase a kayak or a canoe can be one difficult decision. At least it was for me. In some ways they’re so similar, but in other ways, they could not be more different. I’ve gathered every thought I’ve likely …
- How to Rent a Kayak with Supreme ConfidenceYou don’t need to own a kayak to enjoy kayaking. If you’re trying to save your precious Benjamins or simply testing out a new sport, keep reading to learn how to rent a kayak with confidence. Renting a kayak isn’t rocket science …
- What are the Best Kayaks for Beginners? (Our Top 8 Picks)Buying your first kayak can be an intimidating experience. When you start anything new, it’s sometimes hard to even know where to begin. I’d like to help. In this article I discuss what I believe are the best kayaks for beginners. In …
- What is a River Eddy? How to Navigate Eddies and 8+ Other Tricky River HazardsRivers are chock full of interesting features. Some of them are hazardous, some of them are not… really. A river eddy is a unique feature. It is characterized by currents, often circular, that flow in the opposite direction to the main direction …
- Kayaking Laws in OHIO. The Rules You Actually Need to KnowOhio is rich in water sport assets. With many rivers, lakes and streams, including significant access to Lake Erie on its northern border, Ohio is a wonderful location to paddle a kayak. As with any endeavour, there are laws and rules to …
- How to Clean a Life Jacket and PFD (Get that Funk Out)Are you noticing that your kayaking life jacket or personal floatation device (PFD) is starting to smell like a nice ripe Muenster cheese? If so, it’s time to discuss how to clean a life jacket and PFD (personal floatation device). To clean …
- How to Kayak at Night (and Return in One Piece)To consider a kayak voyage at night truly manifests your commitment to the sport. If you’ve decided that a night-time paddle is the thing for you, then I’d like to help. After all, I’ve completed a few myself. (Actually, I’ve completed every …
- Can One Person Paddle a Two-Person Kayak?Yes. One personal can absolutely paddle a two-person kayak. But don’t be fooled, paddling a tandem kayak by yourself is not optimal and comes with a unique set of challenges. To paddle a two-person kayak by yourself, you need to either adjust …
- How to Kayak with Your Dog (So That You Stay Best Friends)As a dog owner, you love your pet and would do anything for them. Me too! You already spend a lot of time with your dog outdoors, so why not expand the experience and teach your best furry friend to be a …
- How to Buy Your First Kayak (with Eyes Wide Open)Purchasing your first kayak can feel like a daunting task. You’re been renting for awhile. Now it’s time to move forward. And sure, they all look kind of the same, but only in the same way that your two pet axolotls look …
- How to Use a Kayak Hatch. Learn All About the Mysterious Underworld Inside Your BoatIf kayak hatches are on your mind, then you’re likely: 1) Trying to figure out how to jam more gear into your current kayak or, 2) Considering a new kayak and thinking about how much storage room you really need. In this …
- How to Use a Sit-On-Top Kayak (to Literally do Everything but Your Taxes)Whether you are considering the purchase of your first sit-on-top kayak, or simply want to do more with the one you have, I wrote this article for you. In the next few minutes we’ll discuss literally everything I can think of that …
- How to Kayak in Shallow Water (and Do a Little Fishing While You’re at it)Have you ever gotten (is that even a word?) cocky while puttering around in your kayak, only to come to a screeching halt on a sandbank or pile of rocks? Or, have you ever considered working some bait over a particular stretch …
- How to Cast From a Fishing Kayak. Put Your Bait on the Fish Without Falling Out and Without Breaking StuffCasting your line from a fishing kayak is not the same as casting from a dock or a gas-guzzling fishing craft. In a fishing kayak, you sit right on top of the water, surrounded by gear that sticks up everywhere. All the …
- 8 Tips to Help You Buy a Kayak Cheaper, Pay for it Later, and Even Get it for FreeLook, you and I both know the kayak you actually want is out of your budget. A new kayak that’s just pretty good will cost you over $1,500. The kayak that you really want, the fishing boat with pedal drive, or the …
- How Much Weight can a Fishing Kayak Actually Hold? 100 Kayaks tell us Exactly How MuchIf you are thinking about how much weight a fishing kayak can hold, then it’s likely you’re staring at a pile of fishing gear and a cooler of refreshments, wondering if the weight of it all will lead to the wet demise …
- Is it Better to Pedal or Paddle a Fishing Kayak? Our Answer is ‘Yes’.If you are asking whether it is better to pedal or paddle a fishing kayak, then you’re probably coming from one of three places: 1. You’re new to kayak fishing and want to learn about the difference between pedal and paddle kayaks, …
- How Much Does a Kayak Weigh? We Measure 200 Kayaks to Actually Find Out.Kayaks don’t lift themselves. No kidding, right? Because of this, you put your back on the line every time you hoist your kayak onto the roof of your vehicle. So, it’s natural, even necessary, to ask how much a kayak weighs. How …
- How to use a Kayak Outrigger to do More Fishing, More Sailing and Less SwimmingLove them or hate them, kayak outriggers are a part of the boating landscape. If you want more stability from your kayak while you paddle, fish, or sail, then learning how to use a kayak outrigger will help. If you are a …
- How to Remove and Install Kayak Foam Pads. Keeping You High-Performing, Comfy and SafeA great characteristic of kayaks is that you can modify them to your liking. With a little work, you can make them safer, better-performing, and more comfortable. Foam pads are an important outfitting in most kayaks. In this article I discuss how …
- How to Buy a Used Kayak. The Definitive Guide (Complete with Checklist)Buying a used kayak can be complex. It’s easy to buy a new one. Do a little research, pay a visit to your local outfitter, test-paddle a couple of boats, put down your money and pick up your new kayak. Candidly, it’s …
- How to Lift and Carry Any Kayak by YourselfThe peace and quiet that you enjoy when kayaking alone is the reward received for lugging around a lot of heavy gear. If you paddle by yourself, then you are, of course, required to lift and carry your kayak by yourself. So, …
- Are Kayakers or Rowers Better Athletes? We Let the Data DecideWho is the better athlete, the Kayaker or the Rower? Another way to frame the question is: Which sport gets you in better shape, Kayaking or Rowing? While the debate hasn’t exactly been raging in society, it is still important to a …
- How to Kayak Solo. No Wookie. No Han. Only You.When I was in my early 20s, I never would have dreamed of kayaking alone. How could that possibly be better than paddling around the lake with my friends? Who would ever want to do a kayaking trip by themselves? Now I …
- Kayak Spray Skirts. How to Choose Them. How to Use Them.The sport of kayaking happens on top of bodies of water. “Well, that’s surprising”, said no-one ever. It’s no secret that kayaking and water maintain an interdependent relationship. Water is almost always supporting kayakers from underneath. Often, it’s accosting them from above, …
- How to Portage with a Kayak. Having Fun Hiking in a Forest Wearing a Boat as a HatSometimes a big mass of land gets in the way of a good time. Other times the same mass of land can be the source of a good time. Perspective is everything. In the case of portaging with a kayak, perspective is …
- How to Prevent Kayak Theft by Developing a Theft Deterrence StrategyA characteristic that I love about folks in the paddling community is their overwhelming trust in human nature. They are positive people that seem to identify the best in humanity. I am the same way. I suppose this is why paddlers are …
- How to Re-Seal a Kayak Bulkhead in 10 Actually-Easy StepsTo re-seal a kayak bulkhead: 1. Mark the location of the bulkhead, 2. Remove and clean the bulkhead, 3. Clean the kayak interior, 4. Apply acetone, 5. Etch with sandpaper, 6. Vacuum grit, 7. Apply acetone, 8. Apply sealant to hull (contested), 8. Insert bulkhead, 9. Apply fillet of sealant to both sides of bulkhead, 10. Let cure.
- Hardshell or Inflatable Kayaks. How to choose a boat you won’t dump on KijijiIf you are motivated to read this, then I expect you are relatively new to kayaking. Perhaps you’ve spent a little bit of time on a kayak, had a great experience, and are considering buying your own. But what kind of kayak …
- How to Maintain Your Kayak in Five (mostly) Easy StepsIt should come as no surprise that a little love can go a long way – especially when it comes to maintaining your kayak. If you want to increase the worry-free time you spend on the water and add years to the …
- How to Protect Your Kayak Hull (and the Rest of Your Kayak, too)Whether you spent $500 or $5,000 on your kayak, it is now your baby. Like any baby, you want to learn how best to take care of it. Well, consider us the Dr. Spock of kayaks. Keep reading to learn how to …
- How to Return to Your Car When Kayaking AloneKayaking provides a wonderful opportunity to spend time with friends and loved ones. It also provides a wonderful opportunity to spend time away from friends and loved ones. Kayakers that enjoy an occasional solo river-paddle often ask how to return to their …
- How to Choose a Kayak Paddle (that will Make You Positively Giddy)You will take about 1,000 paddle strokes for every mile you cover in your kayak. As you spend more time on the water, your kayak paddle will either become your best friend, or worst enemy. Before committing to any single paddle, let …
- How to Find and Fix an Air Leak in an Inflatable KayakFor all of the benefits that come with owning an inflatable kayak, there is one significant drawback. Eventually, your inflatable kayak will leak. While it might seem like the end of the world at the time, it isn’t. Keep reading to learn …
- How to Avoid Flipping (Off) Your KayakWhen you flip a coin, there is a 50% chance that it will land heads-up. When you flip a kayak, there is a 100% chance that it will land heads-down. And by the way, the head that is down is yours! If …
- How Far Can You Paddle a Kayak in a Day? We Tease the Data to Uncover the AnswerWhen planning a kayak adventure, it is key to get a sense for how far you can paddle a kayak in a day. Overestimate the distance and you’ll find yourself in your boat at 11:00pm at night, hoping that nothing jumps out …
- How to Increase Your Kayak Speed (Like if Lightning McQueen Were a Boat)So, you have banked some time on the water and are starting to get pretty good. Now, you want to take things up a notch and learn how to increase the speed of your kayak. Alright, Lightning, let’s do it! To increase …
- How to Paddle a Tandem Kayak (and Avoid Opposition, Mutiny and Divorce)Paddling a tandem kayak can be a terrific way to have fun on the water. Tandems are typically longer, wider and more stable than solo kayaks, making them ideal for novice paddlers to learn proper technique from an instructor that is close …
- 3 (Very Different) Ways to Get Back In a Kayak After Falling OutIf you are an experienced kayaker, then it is likely that, at one time or another, you have fallen out of your boat. Likely not on purpose, but probably more than once. If this is the case, then you have clearly already …
- How to Paddle Your Kayak in WavesI was in my late 20s when I took my first trip to Tofino. Before that, I had cut my teeth kayaking the lakes and rivers of northern Ontario. I had never before set a paddle blade into the Pacific Ocean, so …
- How to Use a Kayak Rudder to Actually get Where You Want to GoYour day started off so tranquilly but now the wind has picked up. Try as you might, your boat stern keeps skidding out from behind you. Again, you find yourself sitting in your brand new touring kayak, facing directly into the wind. …
- How to Use a Kayak Bilge Pump (Before Your Boat Sinks)I have spent my fair share of time falling out of a kayak. Usually it was on purpose. Occasionally it wasn’t. Always, the end result was a boatful of water that needed to be expelled. Without fail, the best way to get …
- How to Pack Your Kayak for an Expedition: What to Bring, How to Pack it, Where to Stow itSo, you’re thinking about another kayak adventure, are you? And this time you’re hoping to enjoy the great outdoors for several days. An expedition! How exciting. Planning for an expedition is a pretty big deal and much of the challenge is in determining how …
- How to Get In and Out of Your Inflatable Kayak (without Drama)Spending the day paddling around your preferred body of water in an inflatable kayak is loads of fun. But before you can get to the fun, you have to actually get on the boat. And if you don’t execute your entry nearly …
- How to Dry Your Inflatable Kayak (Like a Bag of Banana Chips)All good things must come to an end. When the fun is done, the work begins. If your fun happens in an inflatable kayak, then you ought to learn how to dry it before packing it into your vehicle and heading home. …
- How to Use Kayak Scupper Plugs (to Keep your Backside Dry)If you are planning to spend time on a sit-on-top kayak, it’s time to learn about scupper holes and scupper plugs. Scupper holes are literally holes drilled all the way through your sit-on-top kayak. While holes drilled through a boat might seem …
- 5 Tips on How to Kayak a River and Live to Tell About ItSo you’re getting bored of your usual kayaking destination and are planning a new adventure – river kayaking. Great idea. The rush of powering through a Class III rapid is exhilarating. You have a river in mind and all you need now …
- 4 Things You Need to Know to Stay Dry in a Sit-On-Top KayakI have spent a great many hours puttering around the pristine lakes of northern Ontario. I am fortunate to have done so on every kind of kayak imaginable. As autumn takes hold and the temperature of the air and water drops, personal …
- How to Use a Kayak Paddle Leash (and Why You Probably Shouldn’t)There is very little in the world of kayaking that could be considered controversial. Some people enjoy sit-on-top kayaks, others prefer a sit-in style. Some people like the orange ones, others like the yellow ones. There really isn’t much to fight about. …