The Great Lakes are well deserving of their name. Combined, they contain 21% of the World’s surface fresh water, and their surface area is roughly equal in size to the United Kingdom. But as grandiose as all five Great Lakes are, none is greater than Lake Superior - the biggest freshwater lake in the world.
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.
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.
Ah, the call of the wilderness. There’s nothing quite like escaping the daily grind and setting off on a paddling adventure. Today, I find myself in the sprawling expanse of Algonquin Park, one of my favorite paddling destinations and practically my backyard. But I’m not here for a casual float; I’m on a mission to explore the vast Lake Opeongo and, hopefully, catch a glimpse of some majestic moose.
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.
Ken Whiting is in California filming TV episodes and YouTube content and he is having a blast.The Facing Waves California episode will begin airing on Outside TV and Bally Sports in the fall of 2024.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
While I’m always on the hunt for the ‘ultimate kayak’, the idea that such a thing exists is a little unrealistic. What I’m really searching for is MY ultimate kayak, because we’re all looking for something a little different, depending on factors like paddling expertise, where we paddle, and what type of paddling experiences we like to pursue. As someone who loves a touring kayak that can handle rough conditions, and that offers speed, maneuverability and comfort, I’ve been excited to test out the P&H Sea Kayaks Virgo touring kayak, which seems to check all those boxes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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