Knowledge & Know-How

The idea of taking up kayaking seems tempting, and you’d like to give it a try. But this voice in your head keeps repeating how physically demanding – and, sometimes, flat-out dangerous – kayaking is.  “You could never pull it off; it’s way too hard. Don’t even bother trying.”  But … Read more

It might not be the most intriguing piece of your kayaking equipment – but that doesn’t make kayak paddles any less important than, say, your ‘yak. I mean, it’s what gets you from point A to point B. Without one, all you’ll do is float around with no real way … Read more

Paddling in a straight line – such a simple concept, yet so challenging for many new kayakers. There were times when it felt like my ‘yak had a mind of its own and was – for lack of a better word – acting like a stubborn mule. Sometimes it’s due … Read more

I’m not going to make any crazy promises like: You’ll be paddling a kayak like a pro by the time you finish reading this post. Reading about how to paddle a kayak won’t magically turn you into a kayaking pro; practice and hard work will.   Here’s what I can promise … Read more

If your kayaking excursions ever take you to the Southern United States, you might find yourself kayaking with alligators. Wait, kayaks and alligators in the same waters? But is it safe to kayak with alligators? Will alligators attack kayaks? It does sound a bit like nightmare fuel – but actual statistics about ‘gator … Read more

Pregnancy has its way of making you rethink every single aspect of your life. And as you’re preparing to welcome a baby to your little family, you might feel like giving up outdoor adventures for a while is a part of the deal. But are pregnancy and on-the-water sports two … Read more

Your sit-on-top kayak can be equipped with many accessories, some of which are considered luxuries, while others fall into the “kayaking essentials” category.  What about kayak scupper plugs, though? When it comes to plugging the little holes in the bottom of your kayak, the line between “necessary” and “optional” tends … Read more

Unless you’re absolutely new to kayaking, the chances are that you’ve transported a kayak on your car’s roof at least once.  But what if you throw in a second kayak into the equation?  Most roof racks can accommodate two full-sized kayaks, so that shouldn’t be a problem – but it’s … Read more

Getting in – let alone out of – a kayak can be tricky even for the healthiest of joints. But when you have bad knees – stiff, painful, or injured in any way – you’ll likely have an awful time trying to get in and out of your ‘yak.   So, … Read more

What should you do when approaching a low-head dam in a canoe or kayak?  That question right there will put the skills and knowledge of even the most experienced canoe or kayak paddlers to the test. The shortest answer would be:  Avoid them.  However, the structures that earned the eerily … Read more

We both know that drinking and driving is a foolish, irresponsible, and flat-out illegal thing. Well, at least I hope that’s something we all agree on, anyway.  What about kayaks, though?  Is having a couple of beers during your kayaking trip as dangerous as driving under the influence? Is kayaking … Read more