I’ll admit it, I’m neither big nor tall. I hit my peak of 5 feet 3 inches when I was in 7th grade. I’ve embraced my shortness my whole life, basking in my glee at being able to fit into cramped or tight spaces with relative ease.
So it never occurred to me that kayaks might seem intimidating or present a bit of a challenge to those blessed with more vertical longitude than me. I can just slip into the cockpit and away I go to paddle to far off places.
Summer is upon us and you’re super stoked to break out your paddle board and hit the water!
Paddle board: Check 
Paddle: Check
Body of water: Check
You’re all good to go then, right? Well, technically, yes, but not exactly.
There are certain other pieces of paddle boarding gear you will need to maximize the enjoyment level of your chosen sport. You’ll need a way to transport your SUP, storage on your board is always a must, and you’ll need to protect yourself as well while you’re paddling.
Keep reading to find out 9 of the most essential pieces of gear every paddler needs before hitting the water.
You scoured the internet, read tons of reviews, and really did your homework looking for the perfect kayak to suit your lifestyle.
You take it out for its inaugural paddle and are having a blast, patting yourself on the back for having chosen so wisely but then…agh! Upon patting yourself on the back you notice a pain shooting down your neck and spine.
It’s only been 45 minutes and your back and shoulders are killing you, not to mention you’ve lost feeling in your bum. Disheartened, you turn the kayak around and paddle back to shore, struggling more with each stroke.
Time to get back online and start researching a new kayak seat to complement the new kayak you just bought!
Good news: You needn’t look any further because I have compiled a list of the best kayak seats that will have you back on the water and paddling pain-free in no time!
It’s that time of year where the winter weather is wearing thin and people are daydreaming of warmer climates. Spring break is right around the corner and Florida is one of the nation’s top spring break destinations.
While you’re planning your sunny getaway, be sure to allot a few days for thrill-seeking in some of Florida’s paddling hotspots. Read on to discover some of Florida’s best paddle trails and other adventures you can enjoy in the great Florida outdoors (don’t forget the fishing rod for one excursion!).
It’s that time of year again! Time to make your list and check it twice and figure out who was nice enough to receive a gift from you this holiday season.
Gift-giving is hard but we’re here to make it easy on you this year. If you have a friend or family member who’s a die hard paddleboarder or kayaker, or someone who just loves the great outdoors, we’ve compiled an essential list for some of the most wished-for paddling gear and accessories.
When you think of Montana, the first things that come to mind are probably its national parks. Yellowstone was the first national park ever created and for good reason, too. Glacier National Park is its slightly lesser-known but still equally beautiful little sister, which spans two countries as it spills over into Canada.
As many people are weighing their options for affordable, lightweight, and/or transportable kayaks, they have no doubt been confronted by an explosion in the popularity of inflatable kayaks. Thinking back on one’s childhood days of riding on the back of an inflatable “Shamu the Whale” pool toy probably doesn’t help when imagining whether inflatable kayaks are a good alternative to traditional kayaks.
So what’s the real story? Are inflatable kayaks any good? Are they stable? Are they safe? Are they durable? Or are they mostly hot air? Keep reading to get all your questions about inflatable kayaks answered!
If you’re like me, then the thought of your typical beach vacation sounds a little…humdrum. Laying on a sandy beach, dripping sweat, binge eating and sipping cocktails is nice for a day. But what about the other 6 days? Call me crazy, but all that beach bumming gets boring. Give me some adventure! Challenge me! Show me the great outdoors!
For active people like me, I’ve compiled a handy guide of some of the best vacations geared toward paddlers throughout the world. Some of these trips include multiple sports like rafting or hiking, others are in remote destinations, and there are even some that combine the rustic outdoors with 5-star hospitality. Read on for the 5 best paddling vacations worldwide and start planning!
How to choose the right stand up paddle board to buy is no easy decision. There are so many factors to consider it can become a little bit overwhelming knowing where to begin. We’ve broken it down into the 5 questions everyone should ask when looking to buy a stand up paddle board.
Are you the type of person who’s always wanted to get out on the water for some fun and a little bit of exercise but have always been put off by the thought of transporting a big, heavy kayak all over the place? Time to put away the excuses! We’ve compiled a list of the best short and lightweight kayaks of 2017 to get you on the water with minimal hassle.