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Partner: Kayaking

Zoleo Satellite Communicator Review

For me, as a person that heads into the backcountry regularly, spending $500 per year to have a communication device that will work anywhere and at any time seems like a very reasonable deal.

How Kayak Design Affects Performance

There are a number of factors that go into selecting the right kayak. For starters, there are crossroads when it comes to getting a hardshell vs a portable one, a sit-on-top vs a sit-inside, or a paddle vs a pedal kayak.

Lendal Storm Carbon Paddle Review

The storm is light as a feather but doesn’t suffer from a fragile feel.  The blades jump from one stroke to the next, providing wonderful power and a lively feel. It’s the type of paddle that provides comfort and confidence.

Isle Switch SUP Kayak Review: Is it the Best Kayak/Paddleboard Ever?

Are you a casual paddler who can't quite decide between a portable kayak and an inflatable stand-up paddleboard? Well, then the Isle Switch might have hit your radar. This shockingly light, hybrid model attempts to marry the key attributes of both crafts so that you can mix up your workout and add a little spice to those laid-back paddle sessions.

AquaGlide Chelan 120 Inflatable Kayak Review

Not only have I been looking forward to trying out the AquaGlide Chelan 120 inflatable kayak, but a lot of you have been asking for it in the comments sections of my other reviews. It's not everyday that you find a portable kayak that also has all-day performance - hence the shared intrigued amongst us.

6 Great Kayak Gear Ideas for Paddlers

One of the cool things about paddling is that you don't need a ton of gear to get going (unless you're in cool conditions). But over time, you may find that certain add-ons enhance your experience. Through trial and error, and with the help of some friendly suggestions, I've come to discover a number of sweet pieces for the gear shed.

Gearlab Outdoors IPIK Paddle Review: A Greenland Paddle

For this review, I stepped out of my paddling comfort zone. Don't get me wrong, the IPIK is crazy comfortable, but I'm still getting used to operating Greenland blades. Because these are a lesser-known style of paddle, I thought I would talk about Greenlands in general, as well as go into more detail on the IPIK itself.

Origami Paddler Review: I Can't Recommend This Kayak!

Portable kayaks have become some of the most sought-after models on the market. These slick, innovative packages are lightweight, easy to store/transport, and generally a breeze to assemble on the shore. The explosion of demand for these kayaks has produced a wide array of options to choose from; some I have raved about in previous reviews, and others don't quite hit the mark when it comes to the most important metric of all: paddling.

Swell Scupper 14 Kayak Review

Hello paddlers! One of the cool things about having a YouTube channel is the continuous chatter in the comments section. I'm constantly getting loads of great feedback and ideas for what to try next. One of the points I saw recently was in regards to the "unbiased" claim that I like to kick off each review with.

Oru Kayak Inlet vs Tucktec: Battle of the Folding Kayaks

In today's breakdown I'm going to be comparing two of the most popular portable (specifically, foldable) kayaks that come in under $1,000. The portable kayak market has transformed enormously over the past decade. It used to be the case that the only two options were cheap inflatables or really expensive skin-on-frame kayaks.

Jackson Kayak Knarr Review

Today I'm going to be telling you all about the latest release from Jackson Kayak - both a detailed run-down of its features, as well as my own assessments from a thorough paddle/pedal test.

How to Choose a Kayak: 3 Top Ranked Kayaks

Today I'm going to pit 3 of my favorite and, coincidentally, best-selling recreational kayaks on the market in a head to head (to head) comparison. If you've been paying attention to PaddleTV then you might have seen that I gave the Wilderness Systems Pungo and the Sea Eagle Razorlite 393rl Kayak of the Year awards for 2021.

Pelican Catch Mode 110 Review – Best Fishing Kayak

Fishing kayaks have been some of the best-selling models on the market for a number of years now. With that popularity has come significant advancements in the tech/styles, but also the prices. Hardcore anglers might be accustomed to spending 10s of thousands of dollars on motorboats and other gear, so a high-end kayak in the $2,000 to $5,000+ range might not be a big deal.

Perception Showdown 11.5 Kayak Review – Pedal Fishing Kayak

Pedal kayaks have exploded in popularity over the past 5 years. They are particularly popular for fishing purposes, as they let you move the boat around while keeping your hands free. However, one of the downsides of pedal kayaks is that they can range in price anywhere from $1,600 to over $5,500! Perception released the Showdown with the goal of offering a high-quality pedal fishing kayak at an affordable price. Now, I'm traditionally more of a strict paddler, but I stretched out my hammies and slipped on my best peddling shoes in order to see if the Perception Showdown is worth the money. Let's comb through the basics and then I'll give you my thoughts across key categories. 

Kayak Paddle Strokes

One of the joys of flat-water paddling is that you don't need proper technique in order to have a good time. I would argue, first and foremost, that the most important thing is to simply unplug from the rat-race, get out on the water, and have a genuine outdoor experience. That being said, by developing an effective approach to paddling, you will open several doors that will only serve to enhance your adventures.

How to Avoid Flipping Your Kayak

One of the biggest concerns that newer paddlers have is in regards to flipping their kayak. This makes sense since sometimes it can be a cold and intimidating experience. Unfortunately, these "what if?" scenarios prevent many potential paddlers from ever taking up the sport. This breaks my heart a little bit because with a few basic strategies, you can dramatically reduce your chances of going for an unexpected swim. Implementing any-and-all of these should give you a huge confidence boost, which will hopefully increase your excitement to get out on the water.

Wilderness Systems Targa 100 Kayak Review: Under $1000

I took the Targa 100 kayak on the Current River in the Ozarks for a review. This included some Class 1 rapids. If you...

Liquidlogic Saluda Review: The Next Best-Selling Recreational Kayak?

When it comes to flatwater recreational kayaks, there are a lot of options to choose from. For entry-level paddlers who are feeling overwhelmed by the choices, I think a sit-inside style that comes in around 12-feet is what you want to aim for.

How To Pack for a Kayak Camping Trip

I just finished up a two-day trip on the New River in North Carolina. This was my attempt to to escape the capricious Canadian spring weather (we had snow recently in my neck of the woods…) and log my first multi-day paddle of 2022. Well, my icebreaker adventure was still quite cold, but also fun and beautiful. If you want the full, vicarious experience, check out my recent video with the River Kings.

P&H Leo Sea Kayak Review

Welcome my paddling padawans! Today I'm going to be reviewing a high-performance touring kayak, the P&H Sea Kayaks Leo. I'll tell you all about my experiences on the New River in North Carolina, where I took this bad boy down some Class 1 rapids as part of an overnight paddling trip. That's right folks, sea kayaks are meant for a wealth of exciting conditions, which is why I prefer to call them touring kayaks - "sea kayaks" doesn't quite do them justice.

Sea Eagle 380x Kayak Review: Best All-Around Inflatable Kayak?

Welcome my paddling padawans! Today I'm going to be reviewing a high-performance touring kayak, the P&H Sea Kayaks Leo. I'll tell you all about my experiences on the New River in North Carolina, where I took this bad boy down some Class 1 rapids as part of an overnight paddling trip. That's right folks, sea kayaks are meant for a wealth of exciting conditions, which is why I prefer to call them touring kayaks - "sea kayaks" doesn't quite do them justice.

Inflatable Kayak Reviews of Advanced Elements Kayak and Intex Challenger Kayak

For prospective paddlers, deciding on a first kayak can be an exciting, yet daunting experience. It's common to confront a hefty price tag and wonder if this is the right hobby for you. Plus, many models are tailored for specific conditions or experience levels, which only serves to muddy the waters.

Jackson Kayak Antix 2.0 Review: All-Round Whitewater Kayak

Jackson Kayak says the Antix 2.0 brings play, river-running, and creeking together into a one-boat-fits-all package. They think it's the go-to whitewater kayak, but...

Canoe vs Kayak vs Stand Up Paddleboard

The big question for new paddlers is: Do I go with a canoe, a kayak, or a stand up paddleboard? Well, you'll certainly find passionate defenders of all three options. The key is to narrow down what kinds of adventures you envision yourself going on. It's also important to compare things like performance and stability with the budget and ability of yourself and anyone else in your family or group. I'm going to break down many of the common questions and concerns for each of these vessels and, hopefully, shine some light on the best choice for you.

Bonafide RS117 Kayak Review: Most Stable Kayak Ever?

A little less than a decade ago, Bonafide stormed onto the scene with kayaks that were highly stable, paddled well, and were consciously designed to enhance the all-round user experience.

Pakayak Bluefin 142 Review: Best Portable Kayak?

I've been looking forward to testing out the Pakayak Bluefin 142 for a while now. And judging by the number of requests from PaddleTV subscribers, it looks like a lot of people want the low-down on this unique kayak.

Sea Eagle RazorLite 393rl Inflatable Kayak Review

The Sea Eagle RazorLite 393rl is billboarded as an inflatable kayak that paddles as well as a hard-shell. That's a bold claim - one that I simply had to test out for myself. Let's unpack the specs and features and then I'll breakdown the results of my paddle-test. Is the RazorLite truly as good as they say?

Aqua Marina Tomahawk 440 Review

The Aqua Marina Tomahawk Air-K 440 is a 2-person (or tandem), inflatable kayak…or is it a canoe?? It's sort of a kayak/canoe hybrid that marries the best features of both. This design approach has become a growing trend in the paddle sports world since you get the freedom of movement and the comfort of a canoe, plus the performance, power, and stability of a kayak.

Advanced Elements Advanced Frame Kayak Review

Inflatable kayaks have been booming in popularity lately - and for good reason! They knock down some of the biggest barriers for getting into kayaking. First off, how do you transport a kayak to and from the water? Secondly, where do you store a kayak if you don't have a lot of space? And finally, how does a budget-conscious paddler get into the market? Well, if an entry-level, inflatable kayak can condense into a glorified duffle bag then those issues start to dissolve. That being said, it's important to gauge how such a compact, inflatable kayak actually performs. So I'm going to break down the ins and outs of the Advanced Elements Advanced Frame Kayak and let you know if it's a worthwhile investment. 

Advanced Elements AirVolution Kayak Review

Inflatable kayaks have been exploding in popularity because they remove the two biggest barriers for getting into kayaking: transporting your kayak and storing your kayak. However, these perks can sometimes come at the cost of performance. So I put the Advanced Elements AirVolution to the test to figure out if it paddles as well as it packs. 

FeelFree Aventura 125 Kayak Review

Recreational touring kayaks are steadily growing in popularity because paddlers are realizing it's nice to have something that isn't just super stable, but also really fun and fast, and that works well for multi-day trips. That's where recreational touring kayaks fit in and that's also where FeelFree Aventura's line fits in. The question I’m here to answer is what kind of ‘bang for the buck’ do you get from it?  Is it worth it?  And how does the Aventura 125 stack up against other R.T.K.s on the market?  To figure that out, I took the kayak on a 2-hour test paddle and here’s what I can tell you.

Kayak Drysuit Maintenance: How to Care for your Dry Top

Dry tops and dry suits are two of the most expensive pieces of paddling gear you can buy. But, if you’re going to be paddling in cold weather and/or cold water, they are hands down the best gear for keeping you warm, comfortable and safe from the very real dangers associated with hypothermia.

Light Action Camera: How to Film an Adventure

If a paddling trip is worth doing, it's also worth capturing on video. In fact, filming can really add an interesting layer of excitement to your adventure. Sure, there are times when I don't want the added responsibility of capturing epic shots and managing the equipment, but more often than not, I genuinely look forward to filming my outings.

Oru Kayak Inlet Review

The portable kayak market has been on fire lately. This is for two main reasons. First, it solves the problem of storage for anyone lacking the space for a full-size kayak. And second, transporting these types of kayaks is much easier than traditional hard-shell models.

Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 Recreational Kayak Review

The Wilderness Systems Pungo has been one of the best selling recreational kayaks for around 25 years. That's an impressive accolade - especially when you consider that it's in the highly-competitive, mid-range kayak market. Wilderness Systems touts the Pungo as being the easiest to paddle and the most efficient kayak in its class, with superior stability and premium comfort. That's a rather bold statement, and one that definitely warrants putting to the test. And so, I took the Pungo 120 to the water to find out why this model is so popular, and to determine whether it deserves to remain one of the best selling kayaks in the world.  

Native Watercraft Falcon 11 Recreational Kayak Review

When you’re trying to decide what kayak to buy, your biggest question is whether to get a sit-on-top style, or a sit-inside. The former is typically for someone who is willing to give up some paddling performance for a range of other benefits. The Native Watercraft Falcon 11 is a recreational, sit-on-top kayak that offers an ideal platform for fishing enthusiasts and calm-water paddlers. What it sacrifices in performance (i.e. efficiency), it makes up for in stability.

Best Kayaks of 2021

What makes a kayak one of the top kayaks of the year? A variety of things qualify a kayak to be chosen best in class. It could be a kayak that's special or unique in some way. A kayak that offers exceptional value could be selected. A kayak just puts a smile on your face can also be a qualifying factor. Whatever the criteria, the only way to really know if a kayak deserves to be considered one of the top kayaks of the year, is to test it.

Boreal Design Baffin P3 Sea Kayak Review

The sea kayak I’m testing on this paddling adventure is the Boreal Design Baffin P3 touring kayak / sea kayak. After 20-miles of paddling, which took around 5 hours, here’s what I can tell you.

Ken Whiting: Paddling

World Champion kayaker, author of 12 books and videos about paddling, and the host of the largest paddlesports YouTube channel, Ken is one of the most accomplished and respected paddlesport professionals in the world.

Kayak Touring the 1000 Islands – Bucket List Kayak Trip

There are a 1000 good reasons to go kayaking in the Thousand Islands – and these are just a few!

Kayaking Ontario's Bon Echo Provincial Park

I’ve driven past Bon Echo Provincial Park hundreds of times. And every time I have, I’ve reminded myself that I need to get out there and explore the area by kayak.

It took about 20 years of reminders, but I finally did it – I paddled in Bon Echo, and it was awesome.

Kayak Fishing Lake Erie | Long Point Bay, Norfolk County

My visit to Norfolk County was my first ever paddling trip to Southern Ontario. It was also the first time I’ve ever swapped the kayak paddle for pedals. This particular kayaking mission involved kayak fishing in Long Point Bay with Bobby Maerz of BAER Fishing Adventures.

Kayaking the Canadian Amazon | Big Creek, Norfolk County

There’s almost nothing I enjoy more than kayaking down new rivers or creeks. Even though it might have been paddled a thousand times before, it still feels like a first descent when you don’t know what’s around the corners.

Should You Paddle a Sea Kayak or a Recreational Kayak?

What’s the difference between a sea kayak and a rec kayak? And perhap more importantly - what are the pros and cons of each?

How to Get Your Kids Into Paddling

One of the questions I get asked the most is "How and when should I start paddling with my kids?" and it's a good question. These are my tips on how to do it smoothly – and safely.

Rolling a Kayak

Do you need to learn how to roll your kayak? There's an argument to be made on both sides of the debate.

Sea Kayaking Baie-Fine in Killarney Provincial Park

I’ve been to Killarney Provincial Park a number of times now, and I’ll keep going back because it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world to paddle.

Top 5 Pieces of Paddling Gear

If you're new to paddling, it can be hard to know what to take with you out on the water. So in this video, I'm letting you know what my top 5 pieces of paddling gear are and why I consider them essential pieces of gear for canoeing and kayaking.

Ottawa River Whitewater Kayaking: The Next Generation

We took our daughter down the whitewater section of the Ottawa River when she was six months old. Now, at age 9, a whole new world has opened up and she’s ready to paddle the river on her own.

How to Choose a Kayak

Kayaks come in all shapes, sizes and colors and it can be hard to know what to buy if you're a first time buyer. So I'm giving you my tips on choosing a kayak for beginners, going over everything you need to know about sit-on-top kayaks vs sit inside, stability, length and more!

How to Choose a Paddling Top

While you can probably get away with whatever is in your closet, there are some things you should consider when dressing and choosing the best clothing for kayaking and canoeing, which we’re covering in this blog post!

How to Choose a Kayak Paddle

Is a $500 paddle REALLY worth it, or can you get by with a $100 paddle? These are very common questions I'm asked, so I’m diving in to help you learn how to choose the kayak paddle that’s right for you.

Paddling Guide: How To Plan Your Trip on the Rideau River

The Rideau River in Eastern Ontario is one of the most historical rivers in Canada, and an amazing paddling destination for canoeists and kayakers. This paddling guide is designed to help you plan your paddling trip on the Rideau River.

Kayaking and Cree Culture in Eeyou-Itschee-Baie-James, Québec

I’m leaving the big cities behind and diving deep into a land rich in culture, a place where the outdoors is more than a reason to visit – it’s a way of life. What better way to explore Baie-James in Northern Québec than by kayaking the many pristine lakes and rivers this area is known for?

Sea Kayaking and Canoeing Québec Authentique

I’m heading to the north shore of the St. Lawrence River between Québec's two urban hubs of Montréal and Québec City, to a region known as Québec Authentique to explore the region by the seat of my sea kayak.

Sea Kayaking and Whitewater Kayaking in les Laurentides, Québec

I’m heading to les Laurentides in Québec, where I’m exploring Lac Poisson Blanc by sea kayaking before busting out my trusty whitewater boat to paddle one of Eastern Canada's most popular rivers (and a personal favorite of mine), the Rouge River.

Sea Kayaking and Sailing in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Québec

I’m heading to Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, home of the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park and the Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay—and one of the most dramatic landscapes in North America to explore all that the amazing region has to offer by sea kayak. Along the way, I paddle alongside towering cliffs, sail through the heart of the fjord and whitewater kayaksdown the world-class rivers Québec is known for.

Sea Kayaking Jacques-Cartier National Park in Québec City

It really is unlike any other city in North America. Set on the banks of the St Lawrence River, the ‘Old Town’ is in fact a UNESCO World Heritage site whose cobblestone streets and historic buildings sometimes make it feel more like Europe than Canada. What makes the area even cooler is how much there is to do close by.

Sea Kayaking Îles de la Madeleine, Québec

I’m in a place I’ve always wanted to explore – Québec’s Îles-de-la-Madeleine – where I discover the unique pleasures of island living while paddling and swimming my way along this out-of-this-world coastline.

Sea Kayaking and Stand Up Paddling Côte-Nord, Québec

Sea kayaking with puffins and monoliths? You bet. I’m in Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve to do just that, as well as to stand up paddleboard and whitewater kayak one of the many rivers that drops into the Gulf of the Saint Lawrence River in Québec’s Côte-Nord.

Canoeing and Kayaking in Bas-Saint-Laurent, Québec

Known for it's spectacular St. Lawrence coastline and rugged wilderness, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Québec is an outdoor lover's dream. I’m sea kayaking in Bic National Park, before hopping in a canoe to see bald eagles up close and personal in Lake Témiscouata National Park.

Kayaking in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Québec

I’m in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Québec to explore their newest park, Opemican National Park, by foot and sea kayak before heading to the annual Kipawa River Festival, where I’m kayaking the rugged and beautiful Class 4 section of whitewater the area is known for.

Sea Kayaking in Gaspésie, Québec

I’m in beautiful Gaspésie, Québec, where I’m hitting the open waters near Percé Rock by sea kayak before heading inland and stand up paddling the Bonaventure River and hiking to see this incredible landscape from above.