Hey there, Emily Jackson here, sharing another chapter of our Great Family Adventure. This time, we found ourselves in the charming city of Columbus, Georgia, for an epic event—the World Championships for Freestyle Kayaking!
Whether you're a seasoned paddler or just getting started, finding great places to paddle can be challenging - but it can be a fun challenge! It's an exciting opportunity to explore new areas, find hidden gems, and even meet new friends.
As someone who has spent decades testing, paddling, and reviewing just about every kind of boat on the market, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing some incredible innovations in paddlesports gear. One of the most exciting developments in recent years has been the evolution of packrafts—ultra-lightweight, inflatable boats that you can carry in a backpack for epic adventures in remote places.
When it comes to exploring waterways, the type of paddlecraft you choose can significantly impact your experience. Whether you're a seasoned paddler or just starting, selecting the right boat ensures you maximize your time on the water, enjoy the most fun, tap into your full potential, and, most importantly, stay safe.
A Kayaking Journey in Northern California
Northern California is a region of remarkable diversity and natural beauty, stretching from the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in...
Today I’m excited to share my thoughts on the Hurricane Prima 125. For those who don’t know, I’ve had the privilege of paddling and testing a wide variety of kayaks over the years, and every so often, a kayak comes along that surprises me in a very positive way. The Hurricane Prima 125 is one of those kayaks.
When it comes to testing gear, there's nothing like putting it through the wringer in real-world conditions. And that’s exactly what I did with the P&H Virgo Composite Kayak on the Ottawa River, which is known for its big rapids and breathtaking scenery.
Packrafts were invented as an ultralight and highly portable paddle craft to allow hikers and backpackers to take advantage of the backcountry waterways. Initially,...
When it comes to packrafts, the NRS Neutron is a game-changer in versatility and performance, whether you're tackling calm water or navigating through significant whitewater. I recently took this packraft on a multi-day adventure down the Black River in Quebec, and here's my in-depth review.
This time, my paddling adventures took me to the Myakka River in Florida, where I spent the day navigating through gator-filled waters aboard my Pakayak Bluefin 142. To be honest, this river is famous for its abundant wildlife—especially the alligators—and as soon as I launched, I was reminded why. Gators were everywhere, from the shorelines to the middle of the river, and I had to trust that they'd slip underwater as I approached.
I recently got my hands on the Bonafide PWR 129 kayak, and let me tell you, this boat is a game-changer. For those who don't know, Bonafide has been a big player in the kayak fishing world, and they've outdone themselves with this model. Founded by Luther Cifers, the mastermind behind YakAttack, Bonafide has always been about creating top-notch fishing kayaks. Now, under the umbrella of Big Adventures (which also owns Native Watercraft and Hurricane Kayaks), they're stepping up their game with motorized kayaks like the PWR 129.
We will to dive into another crucial topic that can truly make a difference in your paddling adventures—safety and how to avoid fatal kayaking mistakes. Today, we're going to discuss some of the biggest mistakes in kayaking that unfortunately can turn a fantastic day on the water into a nightmare.
In my latest adventure, I ventured into unfamiliar territory with an Isle Switch Pro inflatable paddle board, equipped with a Bixby motor—an innovation I had yet to fully embrace. As a paddler deeply rooted in traditional kayak and stand-up paddle board (SUP) techniques, this journey marked a departure from my usual routine.
I'm testing and reviewing a type of kayak that I have a love-hate relationship with: the Hurricane Osprey 120. Now, when I say I have a love-hate relationship, I'm not talking about this boat in particular but about sit-on-top kayaks in general.
I was recently on beautiful Kent Island in Maryland filming an episode for TV, and I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to share some vital tips on how to dress for kayak fishing. But before we dive in, I want to give a special shout-out to our partner, the American Canoe Association (ACA).
This P&H Scorpio sea kayak review was done with the paddling mecca backdrop of the Irish coast. Check out our expert, Ken Whiting's take on this kayak.
Hello paddlers! I'm Ken Whiting, and today we're diving into one of the biggest questions in the world of kayaking: how to choose the right kayak. While it might seem daunting at first with so many types of kayaks available, I promise it's easier than you think once you understand your own needs and the different kayak options.
Some of my fish camp friends went on an epic river trip down the Dumoine River that flows from the remote wilderness of Quebec into the Ottawa River. I had to miss the trip because I recently started a great job as Marketing Director at Hobie!
Part of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland is only 5400 square miles in size, which represents a sixth of the island of Ireland. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in many other ways. Not only does it have a rich history, a vibrant culture, and first class fish and chips, but it has one of the most beautiful coastlines that you’ll find anywhere.
I travel almost full-time for nine to ten months out of the year, and I live out of a beautiful 32-foot trailer with my family. I work remotely and do a lot of video work, editing, and uploading. I’m a brand manager for a kayak company, Jackson Kayak, the internet is an important part of my day.
Being a river angler, I have always been intrigued by the Texas spring fed rivers. These rivers make their way through an otherwise dry and desolate landscape. They draw life to them from the animals to the vegetation that is only found on their banks. In fact, I myself am drawn to them, but this is because I know what swims below the surface.
The Waitukubuli Sea Trail was created to showcase the incredible sea kayaking trips along Dominica's Caribbean coastline. Sheltered from the power and unpredictability of the Altantic Ocean, the Sea Trail provides the opportunity for new and experienced paddlers to explore Dominica’s dramatic countryside, along with the small and welcoming communities that are found along the way.
If you are a kayaker who is interested in fishing, or an angler who wants to give kayaking a whirl, then investing in a solid fishing kayak will bring a magical synergy between these two pastimes.
When you're getting into kayaking, the sheer number of choices can feel overwhelming. There are sit-on-top and sit-inside boats, hardshells and inflatables, stable slowpokes and tippy speed-demons, and then of course, price comes into play.
Kayaking isn't just about sloshing around on the water. This sport can teach you lots of handy outdoor skills, and even fill in some gaps for those who missed out on (or can't remember) those Cub Scouts courses. Tying a dependable knot like the trucker's hitch is a prime example.
earning to kayak is a fairly intuitive activity for many people. You don't need a ton of instruction if you're just going to play around on a calm lake or river. Instruction does help when you are learning to kayak.
Inflatable kayaks have been advancing in both popularity and design, and so a key question keeps coming up: Is it better to go with an inflatable or a classic hardshell?
Over the last year I have been fortunate enough to work with the amazing Brand NRS- While I am officially on their Team now, there have been several years and products that I would steal from my loving husband for a long period of time.
For the last decade or so, one of the fastest-growing categories within paddle sports has been kayak fishing. This trend has pushed developments in both kayaks and accessories that have benefited paddlers from all walks (or paddles) of life.
Aqua Bound has been crafting world-class paddles for over three decades. Their best-selling lineup, the Ray Series, just so happens to be a favorite of mine, and so I was stoked to take the new designs out for a spin.
Today's category is portable kayaks. These are the 5 inflatable kayaks and portable kayaks that not only made a great impression on me, but demonstrated their ability to deliver a quality experience for lots of different paddlers.
Whether you are dealing with an injury, or simply the realities of Father Time (often a mix of both), many current and would-be paddlers have to navigate these physical barriers. Things like back pain, shoulder pain, and of course, butt pain are common deterrents - but they don't have to be!
"Gateway" kayaks are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they can be accessible and affordable boats that get new people excited about paddling. On the other hand, if someone's first foray into the sport ends up being a lousy experience, then this may turn them off for life.
One of my primary missions with this platform is to encourage more and more people to get out on the water. And once you're a paddler at heart, I want your experiences to be as enjoyable, comfortable, and safe as possible.
I don’t usually “spoil” my review right out of the gates, but in this case, it just made sense. As you can see from the title, I had a blast testing out the new Jackson Kayak Rockstar V. It’s not everyday I get to play around with a bomber freestyle kayak, so I’m pretty excited to tell you all about it.
Inflatable kayaks are great for portability, but they’re typically not designed to handle a broad range of conditions, or to be used for multi-day trips. Advanced Elements has set out to challenge that paradigm with the AdvancedFrame Expedition Elite.
Stand up paddleboarding is a fun and challenging activity that is suitable for just about anyone to take up. This sport is ever-growing in popularity, which means there are constant waves of beginners working to find their footing.
Gather around all beginner and novice paddlers! Today I'm going to help you dodge or correct what I consider to be the top 6 easily avoidable kayaking mistakes that will leave you sopping wet, or looking like a total noob! - often both.
Let’s talk about the Gearlab Outdoors Kalleq Greenland paddle. Having paddled with a typical kayak paddle for over 30 years, moving to a Greenland paddle has been a surprisingly difficult adjustment for me.
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