We’re always interested in working with new contributors and their ideas
Paddling Magazine is a biannual publication uniting Adventure Kayak, Canoeroots and Rapid into three main sections to bring you compelling adventure stories, expert buying advice, destination ideas and the latest paddling news. Paddling Magazine covers the people, politics, expeditions, art, and boats and gear of paddlesports for kayakers, canoeists, whitewater boaters and standup paddleboarding enthusiasts. In particular, we look for articles and photos that capture the soul of the paddling lifestyle. This includes evocative essays, informative service pieces, adventure travel narratives, profiles of engaging paddling characters, and investigative stories on issues close to the hearts of paddlers.
Writer's Guidelines
Before you pitch: Find out what Paddling Magazine has said on this topic before. Check out what we’ve recently published or do a Google search using “site:paddlingmag.com [topic/keywords]”.
Your pitch: Pitches should present a clear, original and compelling angle, not merely a topic or idea, and should reflect familiarity with Paddling Magazine’s content and tone. Pitch us the story you'll tell, not the topic you want to explore. The pitch should include a grabby headline, a 200-word summary of the story, ideas for photos, and a proposed word count. Tell us why this story matters to Paddling Magazine readers, why this is an important story now, how your story will build on what has already been said about this topic, and where you think it might fit in the magazine. Features are generally 1,500 to 3,000 words in length. Most other articles (400 – 1000 words) focus on timely trends and events, gear, provocative issues, quirky profiles, as well as places, news and advice for paddlers. We expect you to reach out to sources who reflect diversity in gender, race/ethnicity, geography, age, and socioeconomic background, etc.
If you haven’t written for us before, include links to recently published work. Please send your pitch to editor@paddlingmag.com. Due to the high number of submissions we receive, we do respond to each and every pitch. If interested in your story, we will respond within six to eight weeks.
Photographer Guidelines
For Watercolors gallery photos, we look for action, composition and lighting. Please send your selected submissions as low-res JPGs or as a link to a web gallery to editor@paddlingmag.com.
